Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theatre has launched a new musical theatre development program named Immigrant Experiences. In partnership with The New School's College of Performing Arts, the program focuses on work by immigrant playwrights and composers, and will kick off with a free concert May 15 at 7 PM.

The New School College of Performing Arts' current graduate students were invited to submit statements of intent for developing musical theatre composition about the immigrant experience. Selected artists, representing China, Mexico, Philippines, Spain, and the United States, participate in a 15-week program, led by Jaime Lozano and featuring guest teachers such as Helen Park and Nathan Tysen. The inaugural cohort includes Giancarlo Abrahan, Xiaokang Deng, Chicahua Zipactonal Martínez, Manel Paret, Cassie Shao, Carrie Shao, and Anamaria Willars Vargas.

Songs created during the program will be performed at the May 15 concert which will be performed by Kathryn Allison, Robi Hager, Kendyl Ito, Jeigh Madjus, Marina Pires, Imani Russell, and Alex Vinh. Adrian Alexander Alea will serve as director with Ben Moss as music director and pianist. Also playing will be Yahir Montes on guitar and bass, and Joel E Mateo on drums and percussion.

“Musical theatre saves and changes lives. As an immigrant musical theatre writer myself, it has been an honor and a great learning experience to be part of this program and help these writers in their journey to find their voices. We need more diverse stories. We need those stories to come from those related to them. I am grateful for the support from the Lucille Lortel Theatre and The New School for making this unique class a reality and one of a kind, just like every single one of the participants,” said Lozano in a statement.

Reserve a ticket here.