ISSM is the International Society for the Study of Musicals.

We are the home of the annual conference Song, Stage and Screen and the journal Studies in Musical Theatre.


Our Mission


The International Society for the Study of Musicals serves as an intellectual home for the interdisciplinary field of musical theatre studies. ISSM's mission is to advance the study of musicals on pages, stages, and screens through the scholarly journal Studies in Musical Theatre and the annual international conference Song, Stage and Screen. Scholars from any discipline who research and write about musicals are welcome.


Song, Stage and Screen returns in-person June 26-29, 2024 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Free and open to the public.


ISSM is co-founded by Ryan Donovan (Duke University), Jessica Sternfeld (Chapman University), and Elizabeth L. Wollman (Baruch College, CUNY).

We are in the process of incorporating as a non-profit.

Membership details are coming soon. Please join our email list below to stay updated.