Music Theatre International facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Founders | Frank Loesser, Don Walker |
| Headquarters |
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Areas served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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Drew Cohen, John Prignano, Freddie Gershon |
| Owner | Cameron Mackintosh |
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Number of employees
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100 |
Music Theatre International (MTI) is a company that lets schools and theaters perform musicals. It's based in New York City. It was started in 1952 by American composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker.
MTI began by managing the rights to Loesser's own musicals. Now, they help over 500 Broadway, Off-Broadway, and West End musicals be performed. Cameron Mackintosh joined MTI in 1990 and became the main owner in 2015.
Contents
How MTI Started and Grew
MTI began in 1952. At first, it managed the rights for about 40 shows in the US and a few other countries.
Over the years, MTI changed owners a few times. In 1989, a group led by Freddie Gershon bought the company.
Musicals for Young Performers
In 1996, MTI started the Broadway Junior collection. These are shorter versions of popular musicals. They are 30 or 60 minutes long. They are perfect for elementary and middle school students. The music is also changed to be easier for younger voices. Each Broadway Junior musical comes with a special kit. This kit has everything a director needs, like music tracks and a guide.
In 2003, MTI launched School Editions. These are musicals specially changed for high school students. They come with extra materials to help young people get involved in the arts.
Recognizing MTI's Impact
In 2012, Freddie Gershon, MTI's Chairman, received a special Tony Honor. This award recognized him for creating Broadway Junior. It also honored his work in helping more people enjoy theater.
On May 29, 2012, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced "Music Theatre International Day." He praised MTI for bringing great musicals to young artists. He said MTI helps young New Yorkers learn about performing arts.
MTI celebrated its 70th birthday in 2022.
Helping Young People in Theater
MTI works hard to support theater education. They help young performers and schools.
Popular Musicals in Schools
Since 1938, the Educational Theatre Association has surveyed schools. They find out which plays and musicals are performed most often. For the 2021-2022 school year, seven of the top 10 musicals were from MTI. Mamma Mia! was the most popular.
Junior Theater Festival
Since 2003, MTI has been a main sponsor of the Junior Theater Festival. This festival is a big celebration for young performers. They get to perform parts of MTI's Broadway Junior musicals.
JumpStart Theatre Program
In 2015, MTI partnered with other groups to create JumpStart Theatre. This program helps middle schools start their own musical theater programs. It focuses on schools that might not have many arts programs. So far, nine schools in Cincinnati have started successful theater programs.
All Together Now! Revue
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many theaters faced challenges. MTI created a special show called "All Together Now!" It was a collection of songs from their musicals. MTI let high schools and community theaters perform it for free. Over 2,000 theaters in 50 states and 31 countries performed the show. They raised over $6.2 million for their own programs.
New Musicals for Kids
In 2023, DreamWorks Theatricals teamed up with MTI. They chose four new writers to create musicals based on DreamWorks Animation films. These new musicals will be added to MTI's collection.
Types of Musicals You Can Perform
MTI offers many different types of musicals for licensing.
- MTI Show: These are full-length musicals from Broadway and other theaters. Examples include Ragtime, Ain't Misbehavin', and Seussical.
- Broadway Junior: These are 60-minute versions of popular musicals. They are made for middle school students. Any parts that might not be right for kids are removed. Examples include Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Lion King.
- Broadway Kids: These are even shorter, 30-minute musicals. They are made for elementary school kids. Some are special versions of popular shows, like Winnie the Pooh and 101 Dalmatians.
- Musicals From The Disney Collection: This group includes musicals that were originally produced by Disney.
- School Editions: These are Broadway musicals adapted for high school students. Some parts or music might be simplified. Examples include Rent and Les Misérables.
- Theatre For Young Audiences: These are 70-minute musicals. They are meant for adults to perform for children. They usually have a small cast.
- Concert Library: This collection has Broadway songs that are arranged for concerts.
Content Ratings for Musicals
MTI uses a rating system to help you understand the content of a musical.
| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| G | This content is suitable for most audiences. This includes Junior versions of musicals like Fiddler on the Roof and Seussical. |
| PG & PG-13 | This content might have some mature themes or language. It might not be suitable for very young audience members. Examples include Les Misérables and Into the Woods. |
| R | This content has themes or language that are not suitable for children. It might not be appropriate for all audiences. Examples include Avenue Q and Miss Saigon. |
