Is the MinneFest of New Musicals 2021 a festival?

---

Yes! The MinneFest of New Musicals 2021 includes four readings of two original musicals over the course of a three week period, each tackling a unique social justice topic and featuring women both as composers and directors.

Readings:

A House Divided: An Intimate Musical of the Lincoln Presidency: A play with music that traces Lincoln's development in office from conciliator who would tolerate slavery in the South to save the Union, to leader who issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It includes the perspective, and draws from the autobiography of, Elizabeth Keckley -- the formerly enslaved seamstress and entrepreneur who became Mary Lincoln's close friend.

Water from Snow: Set in rural Minnesota, this contemporary musical tells the story of a single mom struggling to come to terms with her past, reconnect with old friends, and prove to herself that she deserves true love and peace in her soul at last.

---

Can I go to just one reading within the MinneFest?

---

Yes! The MinneFest of New Musicals 2021 includes four total readings of two musicals over the course of three weeks. We welcome viewers to join us for one or more readings as part of the festival. The more the merrier!

---

Are tickets free?

---

YES! Tickets to any of the three readings are completely free. However, reserving your free tickets guarantees you a seat at the reading.

---

Do I need to reserve tickets ahead of time?

---

No, but we highly recommend it! Tickets are completely free and do not require a reservation to attend. However, those who reserve tickets ahead of time are guaranteed a seat.

---

Can I walk-in to a performance?

---

YES! We welcome walk-in audience members at any of the three readings. However, those who reserve tickets ahead of time are guaranteed a seat. While not required, we encourage you to reserve tickets ahead of time.

---

What are the MinneFest readings about?

---

A House Divided: An Intimate Musical of the Lincoln Presidency: A play with music that traces Lincoln's development in office from conciliator who would tolerate slavery in the South to save the Union, to leader who issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It includes the perspective, and draws from the autobiography of, Elizabeth Keckley -- the formerly enslaved seamstress and entrepreneur who became Mary Lincoln's close friend.

Water from Snow: Set in rural Minnesota, this contemporary musical tells the story of a single mom struggling to come to terms with her past, reconnect with old friends, and prove to herself that she deserves true love and peace in her soul at last.

---

I have more questions about the MinneFest. What should I do?

---

If you have any unanswered questions, please send your question to our form on the Contact page and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

---

Where can I find updates about the MinneFest?

---

Follow us on Facebook to view updates about the MinneFest! We’ll be sharing additional information and a behind-the scenes look on our Facebook Page as we get closer to the readings.

---

What is New Musical Theatre Exchange (NMTE)?

---

Click here to learn more about NMTE and our workshop process!

---

Why does the MinneFest feature "readings" and not "performances"?

---

New Musical Theatre Exchange provides a place to develop musicals for serious-minded local musical theatre writers. This means that The MinneFest of New Musicals 2021 is an opportunity to showcase and develop new work being developed in our workshops, not full-production performances. To learn more about what we do, click here.

---

What Covid-19 precautions are we taking for the MinneFest indoor venues?

---

Social distancing: We will be socially distancing between and among both the Cast and the Audience as follows: 1. The Cast will be spaced across one side of the pavilion, and audience seats will be on the other half of the pavilion and around the edge of several sides of the pavilion, at least 12 feet from the singers. 2. The Audience may sit with members of the same household; but there will be at least six feet between individuals and/or groups from different households. 3. The Audience will not be able to interact directly with individual Cast members before or after the show or during intermission; please plan to speak directly with individual Cast members only after you depart the premises. 4. We will have a talkback after the performance for a group of students attending, and all Audience members may leave before the talkback or remain in your seats for the talkback. Please do not plan to move seats for the talkback. Vaccination/Recent Negative COVID test: 1. The Audience will be asked to affirm that you have been fully vaccinated for COVID or have had a negative COVID test in the previous 48 hours. 2. The adult Cast is fully vaccinated. (The Cast includes two children too young to be vaccinated. They will maintain social distance from the Audience and will mask when not performing.) Masking: 1. The Audience MUST mask properly, covering both nose and mouth throughout the event. 2. The Cast will mask whenever they are not actually performing. Singers will maintain a minimum of 12 feet from the audience while performing.

---