2026-2028 New Works Collective Cycle

New Works Collective Application

2026-2028 Development Cycle
Personal Information - Team Member #1 or Individual Applicant
Are you responsible for writing music or text?
Name

First NameLast Name
Professional Name (if different)
Preferred Pronouns
Primary Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email Address
example@example.com
Current Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Permanent Address (if different from above)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Are you a U.S. citizen?
If you are not a U.S. Citizen, please confirm if you are currently work authorized in the U.S.
You must be work-authorized to apply for this opportunity. If you have questions, please contact newworkscollective@opera-stl.org.
Do you have any personal or professional commitments that would prevent you from participating in the residencies outlined on OTSL's website? If so, please detail them here:
How did you learn about this opportunity?
If other, please specify:
Personal Information - Team Member #2
Are you responsible for writing music or text?
Name

First NameLast Name
Professional Name (if different)
Preferred Pronouns
Primary Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email Address
example@example.com
Current Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Permanent Address (if different from above)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Are you a U.S. citizen?
If you are not a U.S. Citizen, please confirm if you are currently work authorized in the U.S.
You must be work-authorized to apply for this opportunity. If you have questions, please contact newworkscollective@opera-stl.org.
Do you have any personal or professional commitments that would prevent you from participating in the residencies outlined on OTSL's website? If so, please detail them here:
How did you learn about this opportunity?
If other, please specify:
Applicant Motivation & Vision

Please submit your response to the following questions. Responses to the following questions can be addressed one by one or you may choose to create a narrative that addresses these questions as a whole. You may choose to respond in writing, or to upload a video file that addresses these questions: 
As a prospective creator or creative team for a New Works Collective commission, we want to provide a platform for you to tell your story. If you are applying as a team, please feel free to elaborate on how each of you addresses these questions:
- What is the story you would like to tell and what is the inspiration behind it? (a more detailed story outline is requested in a later question – please share more about your inspiration here)
- How do you want to use music and words to broaden storytelling through opera and influence the art form?
- How would you describe/define your primary art form or musical genre?
- What is your creative process like?
- What is your personal history with opera (or storytelling through music) and why are you interested in writing it now?
- How do you hope this residency experience will support you in developing your work for the stage?
- How do you hope this residency experience will help you in your artistic and career development? 
- What skills, expertise, or professional guidance would you be most interested in receiving through the mentorship portion of the residency?
Please select your response method.
For written responses, please limit your responses to 5,000 characters or less for this section of the application:

0/5000
For video responses, please limit your recording length to 5 minutes or less, and link here:
Link
For video responses, please limit your recording length to 5 minutes or less, and upload here:

File upload
Cancelof

Applicant Materials - Team Member #1 or Individual Applicant
Resume (2 pages maximum)

Cancelof
Short biography (no more than 600 characters)

0/600
Professional References

Please provide two (2) references from either educational or professional mentors, or creative/peer collaborators in your field. Each reference provided should be able to speak to your work ethic and your unique qualities as an artist.  
Reference #1

First NameLast Name
Email Address
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Relationship to Applicant
Reference #2

First NameLast Name
Email Address
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Relationship to Applicant
Applicant Materials - Team Member #2
Resume (2 pages maximum)

Cancelof
Short biography (no more than 600 characters)

0/600
Professional References

Please provide two (2) references from either educational or professional mentors, or creative/peer collaborators in your field. Each reference provided should be able to speak to your work ethic and your unique qualities as an artist.  
Reference #1

First NameLast Name
Email Address
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Relationship to Applicant
Reference #2

First NameLast Name
Email Address
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Relationship to Applicant

Story Pitch or Outline: Share a written pitch or outline of the story/idea you wish to develop into a 20-minute opera (please limit your response to 5,000 characters or less).

0/5000
Note: If your work is based on an adaptation of an existing work or true story, you will need to demonstrate that all the necessary rights and permissions have been secured.
Work Samples

You must submit samples of past work for both music and text.  If you are applying as a two-person team, please indicate who is responsible for the creation of each work sample.  You are not required to submit a sample of the work you intend to develop. 

Composers/Musicians:

In audio or video format, two (2) contrasting compositions or excerpts from compositions that combined total no more than 20 minutes. These compositions can be completed works or works in progress. Work samples that demostrate you have experience writing for voice and/or writing for for an ensemble of at least 3 instrumentalists are particularly helpful. There is no genre requirement or restriction.

Please also upload an example (PDF) of how you communicate your musical ideas for others to perform. (i.e. music staff notation, charts, score, etc.)
Please select your method of submitting work samples.
Upload your work samples

Example of musical notation, chart, score
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Link your work sample
Audio or video sample
Link your work sample
Audio or video sample
Upload an example (PDF) of how you communicate your musical ideas for others to perform (i.e. music staff notation, charts, score, etc.)

Example of musical notation, chart, score
Cancelof
Writers/Lyricists/Librettists:

In PDF format, please submit two (2) contrasting writing samples that reflect your dramatic and lyric writing skills. Each work sample should range between 5 and 7 pages. If longer samples are submitted, please indicate the specific page range you wish the panel to review.
File Upload

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Demographic Information

Optional: this information will be aggregated for research purposes only, and will not be included with your application form.
Demographic Information - Team Member #1 or Individual Applicant
Year of Birth
Which race or ethnicity best describes you? (select all that apply)
If other, please specify:
With which gender do you identify?
Demographic Information - Team Member #2
Year of Birth
Which race or ethnicity best describes you? (select all that apply)
If other, please specify:
With which gender do you identify?

Application Checklist
Please confirm you have completed the following:
NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be reviewed
Next Steps
- All applicants will be informed of the results of their application by December 20, 2026.
- The selection process will be a two-step process. Up to 10 creative teams or artists will be selected as semi-finalists and invited to an interview round with Collective members and Opera Theatre staff in late November 2026.  Interviews will take place online.
- Feedback will be available to semi-finalists by request upon completion of the selection process.
- After submitting your application, you should receive an email confirmation from noreply@jotform.com. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact newworkscollective@opera-stl.org to ensure your materials were received.
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New Works Collective Application

Personal Information - Team Member #1 or Individual Applicant

Personal Information - Team Member #2

Applicant Motivation & Vision

Applicant Materials - Team Member #1 or Individual Applicant

Applicant Materials - Team Member #2

Demographic Information

Application Checklist

Next Steps