Who We Are

The Newport NewWorks Musical Theater Festival is more than just a gathering of talented artists—it’s a creative community dedicated to the development of new musicals.

Each summer, we bring together a diverse group of artists for a two-week residency focused on collaboration, innovation, and artistic growth in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island.

Founded by Peilin Chou and Jeanne Hagerty, the festival provides an inclusive space where both emerging and established theatermakers can refine their work with the support of industry professionals.

Our mission is to foster creativity, encourage risk-taking, and help bring bold new voices to the contemporary landscape of musical theater.

About Newport

Newport, Rhode Island, has long been celebrated as a hub of musical excellence. The city is home to some of the most iconic festivals in American music history, including the Newport Jazz Festival, which began in 1954 and helped shape the modern jazz movement by hosting legends like Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and John Coltrane. The Newport Folk Festival, founded in 1959, also made history, most notably with Bob Dylan's groundbreaking performance in 1965 when he famously went electric. Additionally, the Newport Classical Music Festival (formerly the Newport Music Festival) has been a summer tradition since 1969, showcasing world-class classical performances in the city’s historic mansions.

Despite this rich musical legacy, one key genre has been notably absent: musical theater. The establishment of the Newport NewWorks Festival aims to fill that gap by providing a platform for new, innovative works to be developed and performed. This festival brings a fresh dimension to Newport’s artistic landscape, adding a critical piece to the musical mosaic, and making Newport an even more comprehensive destination for diverse musical experiences.

Meet the Founders

  • Jeanne Hagerty

    FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Jeanne Hagerty is a Boston-based theater and film producer with a passion for storytelling. She has been actively involved in theater in many capacities for over 30 years. As a longtime member of the Board of Directors for Roundabout Theater Company, Jeanne plays a key role in supporting Broadway and off-Broadway productions and is passionate about Roundabout’s Education and New Play Development programs. A lifelong advocate for musical theater, Jeanne is dedicated to fostering the development of new and emerging works. She is driven to support artists by creating an engaging and nurturing environment where they can fully realize and bring their artistic vision to life.

  • Peilin Chou

    FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Peilin Chou is an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker with decades of experience in the entertainment industry. Best known for her work on groundbreaking feature animated films, Peilin has been instrumental in bringing fresh, dynamic voices to the forefront of storytelling throughout her career. Her longtime passion for musical theater and fostering creativity and collaboration, coupled with her love of Newport, inspired her to co-create the Newport NewWorks Musical Theater Festival. She is thrilled to be a part of bringing more new musicals into the world through Newport NewWorks, and could not believe more in the festival’s mission to create a safe, dynamic, and inspirational space that will enable artists to experiment, play, draw their boldest strokes, and realize their full artistic potential.