LaGuardia Performing Arts Center Invites Musicians and Playwrights to Apply for Residencies
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (November 13, 2024)—The LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY announces an open call for applications for its residency programs supporting emerging artists: the inaugural Music Lab for Queens-based musicians and musical groups, and Rough Draft Reading, part of LPAC’s signature Rough Draft Festival, for professional and student playwrights.
The initiatives provide access to LPAC’s practice and performance facilities, allowing artists to develop and refine their work in a collaborative environment. Applications for Music Lab are accepted on a rolling basis; Rough Draft Reading submissions are due by December 6.
“LPAC is where new voices take center stage. We are proud to be a launchpad for emerging theater artists and musicians, fostering creativity and dialogue within the community,” said Evelyn Lowmark, Interim Executive Director of LPAC. “Through our inaugural Music Lab, our first-ever music performance residency program, we are excited to support Queens-based musicians in developing and showcasing their talents. Alongside our Rough Draft Reading, these programs provide a supportive, engaging environment for artists to refine their work and connect with audiences.”
Music Lab is designed to celebrate and enhance the rich and dynamic music scene in Queens, giving local artists a platform to showcase their talents, hone their craft, and connect with the wider music industry and community through dedicated rehearsals and performances at LPAC. Full-day rehearsals and performance space at LPAC will support participants in realizing their creative visions, while fostering connections with the industry and building community ties.
The open call invites Queens-based musicians and music groups, spanning all genres, to apply for this new opportunity. While performances that highlight cultural heritage are not a requirement, they are highly encouraged, as LPAC seeks to celebrate the diverse cultural fabric of the community. Additionally, projects that explore the connection between music and well-being or aim to engage with different community groups are strongly supported.
To apply, interested artists should submit:
- A brief biography or band description.
- A sample of their work (audio or video links).
- Proof of Queens residency.
- A one-page proposal detailing their project and proposed performance date.
- A short statement on how their performance embodies or connects to cultural heritage (if applicable).
Click here to learn more and apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Open Call for Rough Draft Reading Submissions
For over 20 years, LPAC’s Rough Draft Festival has been a launchpad for emerging theater artists, fostering creativity and dialogue within the community. Rough Draft Reading offers writers, playwrights, and performers the opportunity to showcase their works-in-progress. Through audience feedback and constructive discussions, creators further develop their projects. The initiative provides a platform for professional and student playwrights to share new, experimental, or unfinished works in a supportive environment. Audience members gain an exclusive look into the artistic process, experiencing the evolution of performances firsthand.
Previous Rough Draft readings have included a range of compelling works that highlight the diversity and depth of the festival. Estefania Fadul’s Están Cordialmente Invitados A Tirar La Casa Por La Ventana En Celebración De Los Quince De Carla; or, Leave Your Politics At Home presented an engaging, non-partisan examination of political and social themes. Adam A. Elsayigh’s Memorial, a verbatim play, illuminated the experiences of the New Zealand Muslim community following the 2019 Christchurch Mosque shootings. Rachel Gita Karp’s interactive piece Packing and Cracking delved into the complexities of American democracy through an exploration of gerrymandering. Jermaine Rowe’s musical The Children From The Blue Mountain merged Afro/Caribbean folklore with music genres such as folk, soca, dancehall, and reggae, asking, “what is the ultimate cost of a dream?” Diana Ly’s Sex and the Abbey provided a fresh perspective on Hrotsvit, the first known western female playwright, and her life in 10th Century Saxony.
Submissions are now open for the Student Reading Series and Workshop Readings. The application deadline is December 6 at 5 p.m. Five professional playwrights and five student playwrights will be selected to showcase their pieces at a festival in March 2025.
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The LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC), located at LaGuardia Community College, is a cultural hub that fosters artistic excellence, education, and community engagement. LPAC provides a platform for dynamic artists and storytellers to create, collaborate, and inspire. Through diverse programming, LPAC continues to support its mission of making the arts accessible to all. It is the stage for productions of the award-winning Theater and Music Performance programs of LaGuardia Community College, as well as works from partner institutions, including Carnegie Hall, Joffrey Ballet School, and the Drama League of New York.
LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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