DreamWorks Theatricals and Music Theatre International have revealed the slate of writers participating in their 2023 Emerging Writers Program. The group will develop new stage musical adaptations of titles from the DreamWorks Animation catalog while receiving access to professional development with industry leaders. The program is presented in partnership with NBCUniversal's Global Talent Development and Inclusion team.
The selected writes are Krista Knight, Joriah Kwamé, Veronica Mansour, and Kate Thomas.
“DreamWorks Theatricals, along with our partners at MTI and NBCUniversal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion are honored to support the extraordinary artistry of these four talented writers,” says DreamWorks Theatricals head Chris Herzberger. “Krista, Joriah, Veronica, and Kate not only embody the unique spirit, joy, humor, and heart that have become synonymous with DreamWorks Animation films, but also represent a profoundly exciting future for a more inclusive and representative American musical theatre."
Shrek, DreamWorks breakaway hit film, was previously adapted for the stage in 2008, receiving eight Tony nominations. One of the companies rare live-action offerings, Catch Me If You Can, soon followed in 2011. Though DreamWorks Theatricals has been dormant on the Main Stem ever since, an adaptation of DreamWorks' Madagascar was added to MTI's Broadway Junior catalog, which licenses musicals designed for young performers. Madagascar JR. has gone on to become one of the series' top titles.
