New@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre
Sep 15, 2026 · 33 min · 11 segments
**What happens when one of the world’s great ancient epics becomes a contemporary musical—and a concept record?** On this episode of **NEW@NAMT**, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff and co-host Skye Cone Ivey…
Sonia DesaiGuest
Tad FujiokaGuest
Skye Cone IveyHostJohn Paul YovanoffHostWelcome to New at NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theater Writers, a series dedicated to spotlighting the emerging voices in musical theater.
Every interview provides a unique glimpse into the creative minds behind the next big musicals.
So whether you're a producer, theater lover, or even simply curious about the future of musical theater, New at NAMT offers a front row seat to a new generation of writers.
I am your host, John Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theater Radio, and on this season at New at NAMT, I'll be speaking with the festival writers participating in the 38th Annual Festival of New Musicals.
Joining me as co-host for the season is Sky Cohen Ivy, NAMT's New Works associate and one of the senior festival producers for the Festival of New Musicals.
It's time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1, go on New at NAMT.
The Ramayan, India's most treasured ancient epic, remains as ubiquitous in India as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and college basketball combined.
With this adaptation, Manik invites the Ramayan into the temple of American myths via his favorite of all artistic mediums, concept records.
Also joining us for our conversation today are Sonia Desai and Tad Fujioka, two of the NAMT Festival consultants.
As part of the NAMT Festival, each festival musical is matched with two festival consultants who are artistic leaders from NAMT member organizations who have also championed the show through the festival selection process.
They work with their writing teams through all creative stages of the presentation and act as advocates at the festival itself.
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Welcome to New at NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theater Writers, a series dedicated to spotlighting the emerging voices in musical theater.
Every interview provides a unique glimpse into the creative minds behind the next big musicals.
So whether you're a producer, theater lover, or even simply curious about the future of musical theater, New at NAMT offers a front row seat to a new generation of writers.
I am your host, John Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theater Radio, and on this season at New at NAMT, I'll be speaking with the festival writers participating in the 38th Annual Festival of New Musicals.
Joining me as co-host for the season is Sky Cohen Ivy, NAMT's New Works associate and one of the senior festival producers for the Festival of New Musicals.
It's time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1, go on New at NAMT.
The Ramayan, India's most treasured ancient epic, remains as ubiquitous in India as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and college basketball combined.
With this adaptation, Manik invites the Ramayan into the temple of American myths via his favorite of all artistic mediums, concept records.
Also joining us for our conversation today are Sonia Desai and Tad Fujioka, two of the NAMT Festival consultants.
As part of the NAMT Festival, each festival musical is matched with two festival consultants who are artistic leaders from NAMT member organizations who have also championed the show through the festival selection process.
They work with their writing teams through all creative stages of the presentation and act as advocates at the festival itself.
