Make Philly a cooler, more musical place with a donation to MusicCoLab
Help us build a vibrant ecosystem for new musicals in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia has everything a great musical-theatre city needs: extraordinary talent, strong university programs, adventurous theater companies, and audiences who crave something new. What we’ve been missing is the infrastructure—a year-round home where musical-theatre creators can develop original work, share it with their peers, and bring it to life in front of audiences.
That’s where MusiCoLab comes in.
Now starting our fourth year, MusiCoLab has become Philadelphia’s hub for new musical development. We provide the space, structure, and support that local writers need to take bold creative risks and move their shows forward.
Over the past two years we have:
- Launched the MusiCoLaboratory, a monthly work-in-progress series now hosted by the Arden Theatre Company—our biggest and most engaged community program to date.
- Produced full developmental workshops, including Red & Black (August 2025) and In The Temple Of The Honky Tonk (Summer 2024), giving local writers the rare opportunity to see an entire new musical on its feet.
- Supported dozens of creators through individualized dramaturgy, feedback sessions, and curated opportunities such as the New York Stage & Film submission initiative.
- Received national recognition, including two grants from NAMT’s Frank Young Fund for New Musicals and invitations to collaborate with organizations across the country.
- Expanded our leadership, welcoming a new Executive Director in 2026 as we prepare for the next phase of organizational growth.
And we’re only getting started. There are so many musicals waiting to be written—stories from this city, by this community, that deserve a chance to sing.
Your support makes this possible.
Every donation helps us create the programs, partnerships, and workshops that allow Philadelphia’s musical-theatre artists to thrive. If you believe that Philly deserves a home for new musicals—and if you want a front-row seat to the next big thing—please consider supporting MusiCoLab today.
Your gift, of any size, fuels new stories, new songs, and a stronger creative future for our city.
Thanks to our founding donors.
MusiCoLab was launched with the support of these individuals, each of whom is recognized as a Founding Donor for his or her generous financial contribution:
Barbara Bellman
Louis Bluver
Daryl Morey
Michael Ogborn
Stephan C. Schifter
Gayle R. Smith
Jeff Smith
Dani Tapper
Support for MusiCoLab is provided by
