New Musical Laboratory

New Musical Laboratory (NML), a creative partnership between Wharton Center and the MSU Department of Theatre, provides musical theatre writers an opportunity to develop, share, and refine their work in a supportive, staged reading environment.

Established in 2015, NML unites professional musical theatre writers, Michigan State University Theatre faculty, and students in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Through this process, students gain valuable skills and real-world insights by contributing directly to the development of new musicals.

Each year, the selected work is performed for the public on Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre stage, and audiences are invited to take part in the creative journey by providing feedback on the experience.

The NML partnership is one way Wharton Center demonstrates its commitment to education and to nurturing the artistic innovation of emerging voices in musical theatre.

Previous musicals

• 2025 - Taking Off
  Book & Lyrics by Sonya Hayden 
  Composer: Matt Lowy
  Director: Adam Yankowy
  Musical Direction: Dave Wendelberger
  Guest Stage Management: Courtney Sue Mulford
  Guest Actor: Mark William
  Guest Dramaturg: Molly Marinik
• 2024 - In Pieces
  A new musical by Joey Contreras
  Guest Director: Rebecca Aparicio
• 2023 - Rocky Mountain High 
  Book & Lyrics by Kia Beth Kofron and Cooper Kofron
  Music by Mark Hollmann
  Additional Music by Drew Gasparini
  Guest Director: Marc Acito
• 2022 - In Emily’s Words (ĭmáGen)
  Book, Music & Lyrics by Jessy Tomsko
  Guest Director: Susanna Wolk
• 2021 - Particle (ĭmáGen)
  Book, Music, & Lyrics by Selda Sahin and Derek Gregor 
• 2020 - Medusa (ĭmáGen)
  Book, Music & Lyrics by Wes Braver and Rachel Dean
  Director & Choreographer: Mayte Natalio
• 2019 - Dr. Fox and The Impossible Cure For Death (ĭmáGen)
  Book & Music by Benedict Braxton-Smith
  Book & Lyrics by Megan Peterse
• 2018 - One Good Day (ĭmáGen)
  Book & Lyrics by Liz Suggs
  Music by Rona Siddiqui
• 2017 - We Foxes (ĭmáGen)
  Book, Music, & Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver 
• 2016 - Temple (ĭmáGen)
  Music by Norman Durkee
  Additional Music by Constantine Kitsopoulos
  Book & Lyrics by Sylvia Peto
• 2015 - For Tonight (ĭmáGen)
  Music & Lyrics by Shenelle Williams Book by Whitney Rhodes, Shenelle Williams and Spencer Williams