New Works Forum

OPERA America’s New Works Forum is the pre-eminent national convening dedicated to improving the quality and quantity of new American opera.

Since 2011, the forum has brought together individuals from all areas of the field, including producers, composers, librettists, conductors, designers, and publishers, to ask questions and share knowledge about creating and producing new operatic works.

Robust presentations on commissioning, coproducing, storytelling, and technology are paired with live performances of new works and works-in-development. These convivial gatherings have fostered new connections between artists and producers that have resulted in countless fully realized productions on American stages.

The New Works Forum is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Theodore H. Barth Foundation.

Programming at the National Opera Center is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Program Details

The New Works Forum convenes in several multiday meetings throughout the year, including signature programming in January in New York City and at our annual conference each spring. Producers, creative artists, publishers, and other stakeholders working to develop, support, and promote new work are invited to attend.

Past sessions have examined a broad range of topics including creative commissioning, cutting-edge technological solutions, effective storytelling, improving collaborative relationships with creators, and other issues that contribute to an environment where new work can thrive. Programming is guided by a New Works Forum Planning Committee and a racial equity consultant.

Forum meetings are scheduled to allow participants to attend significant premieres and productions of new work, such as those in the PROTOTYPE Festival each January in New York City. We also support showcases of new work by member companies with dedicated grants from OPERA America.

For more information, contact us at Artistic@operaamerica.org or 646.699.5240.

New Works Forum 2025

The 2025 New Works Forum takes place in person on Tuesday, January 14 through Thursday, January 16 in New York City.

The 2025 New Works Forum brings together producers, creative artists, publishers, and other stakeholders working to develop, support, and promote new work.

Forum attendees can attend sessions, a networking reception, and a featured performance of Eat the Document at the PROTOTYPE Festival. Plus, you can add on a complimentary ticket to the New Works Showcase, an OPERA America Onstage event taking place the evening of Thursday, January 16. Explore the Schedule below.

Registration for the forum is $145 and includes:

All sessions, receptions, and a ticket to Eat The Document, composed by John Glover with Libretto by Kelley Rourke (presented by PROTOTYPE at HERE, January 15).

Register by January 3

Due to the overwhelming popularity of this forum, registration has historically reached maximum capacity. We recommend registering early to secure a space. To offer the best opportunity for participants who produce new work, registration for the forum will be open to organizational members and to individual members by invitation only.

Tuesday, November 26: Registration opens for organizational members and to individual members by invitation only.
Friday, January 3: Registration will CLOSE at the end of the business day. No exceptions can be made due to ticket purchases and catering deadlines.

OPERA America organizational members and select individual members:
Please check your email for an invitation to register.

If you believe you should have received an invitation to register as an organizational member or individual member, please email Programs@operaamerica.org for a link to register.

New Works Forum 2025 Schedule

January 15, 2025 

10:00 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.	Welcome Session
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Artist Roundtable and Q&A: Behind the Curtain: Understanding the Opera Creation Process This session offers a deep dive into the multifaceted process of creating an opera, from initial concept to final performance. Attendees will gain insight into the collaborative efforts among composers, librettists, directors, designers, performers, and producers as they work together to bring an opera to life. We will explore each stage of the creation process, including the development of the score, casting, staging, and rehearsal dynamics. Through discussion, we also will examine the challenges and rewards of creating new works, balancing artistic vision with practical constraints, and ensuring a seamless production.
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	Producer Roundtable: Breaking Boundaries This session will explore how new works are embracing diverse perspectives and moving beyond stereotypes by telling specific, nuanced stories that reflect a broader range of experiences. We will discuss how creators blend opera with other art forms such as dance, visual arts, and digital media, to push the boundaries of traditional opera
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.	Producer Roundtable: Digital Perspectives in New Works The conversation will examine the evolving role of technology in shaping contemporary opera, including the impact of multimedia, digital effects, and virtual reality on both production and performance. Additionally, we will explore how streaming platforms, online performances, and digital media are transforming the way new opera is produced and consumed and assess whether these innovations are expanding the reach and relevance of the art form in today's digital landscape.
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.	Workshop: Crafting the Perfect Pitch In a competitive industry, the ability to craft a compelling pitch is essential for gaining support for new opera projects. This session will guide attendees through the key elements of creating an effective presentation, from understanding the core message to tailoring it for specific audiences, such as funders, producers, and collaborators. We will explore best practices for presenting new works, highlighting the importance of clarity, passion, and vision in conveying the unique aspects of an opera. Whether you are a composer, librettist, or producer, this session will equip you with the tools to promote your opera/project.
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Pitch Feedback Session This interactive session offers participants the unique opportunity to present their opera pitches and receive constructive feedback from a panel of industry experts. Whether you're seeking funding, producing partners, or new audiences, this session will help you refine your pitch by identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.	Eat The Document, at the PROTOTYPE Festival John Glover, composer; Kelley Rourke, librettist; Kristin Marting, director; and Mila Henry, music director Taking place at HERE Mainstage (145 6th Ave, NYC, 10013)

January 16, 2025 

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Artist Roundtable: Redefining Success in American Opera Speakers will explore the evolving definition of success in the context of contemporary American opera. As the genre continues to adapt to the changing tastes of audiences, technology, and cultural discourse, the criteria for success are becoming more complex. Is success measured by box office revenue, critical acclaim, and/or artistic innovation? Artists, administrators, and producers will discuss how diverse factors such as audience engagement, cultural relevance, inclusivity, and accessibility are reshaping the notion of success. They will also address the role of opera companies in fostering new voices, advancing social narratives, and attracting younger and more diverse audiences, all while maintaining artistic integrity.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Producer Roundtable: Clarifying Community Roles: Elevating Civic Practice in New Works This session will explore how companies can demonstrate their genuine commitment to civic engagement by evaluating whether their education and community programs are authentic commitments or merely performative. Attendees will be encouraged to look beyond surface-level initiatives and assess how budgets and scheduling reflect an organization’s core values. The session also will delve into how companies are integrating community engagement into the New Works process, ensuring that these efforts are not seen as ancillary but as vital components that enrich and strengthen both the artistic process, and the communities involved. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on aligning organizational priorities with a meaningful community impact.
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	New Works Pitch Session  Attendees will have a chance to promote their works to producers and publishers. Come learn about unfamiliar works, works in progress, and the sparks of new ideas.
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Networking Reception
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	New Works Showcase Enjoy a showcase of new works selected from applicants across the country, which celebrates the creativity of some of today’s most outstanding composers and librettists. Taking place alongside OPERA America’s New Works Forum, the premier national convening dedicated to new American opera, the evening will feature a selection of operas currently in development. Featured works to be announced in fall 2024.
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	Closing Reception

The schedule is subject to change.