Here’s an exciting update from the National Centre for New Musicals (NCNM) at Theatre Aquarius! We’re thrilled to share the progress our teams have been making on their new Canadian musicals in year one of our program and give you a glimpse of what’s coming up next.

A Quick Recap: What is NCNM?

The National Centre for New Musicals (NCNM) at Theatre Aquarius is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to the development of new Canadian musicals right here in Hamilton, Ontario. With generous lead funding from the incite Foundation for the Arts, supported by private donors and a special mentorship grant from RBC (read more on this below), NCNM provides unmatched opportunities for musical theatre writers across the country. After receiving an overwhelming number of submissions, five extraordinary pieces were selected for our inaugural year, each at a different stage of development.

What Have Our NCNM Teams Been Up To?

 • OUT •

OUT is a coming-of-age drama-comedy about three queer Asian friends in their mid-20s, by Kalos Chu, Ian Chan, and JuHye Mun. OUT is working on a new draft and preparing for a workshop presentation in May 2025 at Aquarius, working with mentor and Music Supervisor Lily Ling, Director/Dramaturg Esther Jun, and Music Director, Athena So.

 • The Pryce Academy •

At Pryce Academy, students create a musical that digs deep into their school's dark history, revealing uncomfortable truths about privilege, exploitation, and power. Set to a soundtrack of today’s musical styles, this bold and satirical show challenges the audience to confront the past — and their own present-day assumptions. Writers Mazin Elsadig & Philip McKee are working on rewrites and expanding their score for a workshop presentation in early 2025.

 • The 7 Fires •

Inspired by the Anishinaabe 7 Fire prophecy, 7 strangers meet in the woods where they receive dreams from their Ancestors, a story of reconnecting, prophecy and resurgence. Writers Dillan Chiblow and Landon Doak are refining the script with dramaturg Mary Francis Moore.

 • Clown Riot •

Set in 1850s Toronto, this musical tells the true story of clowns and firemen clashing in the streets. Writers Christo Graham & Tyrone Savage have completed their first workshop in Stratford with Dramaturg Marie Farsi and are now focusing on developing their score.

 • Limerick Gaolbreak •

A musical based on a 19th-century Irish prison escape where nine women sing their way to freedom. Writers Mike Ross & Sarah Wilson are currently drafting the script with dramaturgical support from Mary Francis Moore.

RBC Mentorship:

Supporting the Next Generation

We are incredibly grateful to RBC for their support of NCNM’s Mentorship Program.

As a result of this funding, we’ve been able to pair the OUT writing team with a mentor like no other: Broadway Conductor and Music Director, Lily Ling.

Lily is currently serving as music director and conductor for Alicia Keys’ hit musical, Hell’s Kitchen. Lily has led the Broadway pits of Hamilton and Moulin Rouge and most recently, the revival of Nine at the Kennedy Center alongside the Tony and Olivier winning director/choreographer and Kennedy Center Honoree, Andy Blankenbuehler. Lily is a Chinese-Canadian musician and one the most in-demand music directors in North America. She is an active mentor for MUSE and MAESTRA and she is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education in Music and Music Education at Teacher’s College, Columbia University. Lily’s advocacy for education, mentorship, and the building of cultural bridges brings invaluable expertise and experience to the table for our team of young writers.

In the past few months, Lily has been working with the team on refining the musical throughline of OUT. In December, she will spend a dedicated, in-person, intensive week in New York City to dive into the score and strengthen the roots of the musical storytelling.

During the May workshop at Aquarius, Lily will serve as Music Supervisor and mentor emerging Music Director Athena So - an upcoming talent who recently completed the music directing internship at the Shaw Festival. This is a wonderful full circle as Lily also interned at the Shaw Festival and was a MUSE mentor to Athena So.

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