Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney and ISSM

present

Song, Stage & Screen 2027:

MUSIC THEATRE WORLDS

24-26 June 2027 

Music Workshop and Footbridge Theatre | Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney NSW AUSTRALIA

The International Society for the Study of Musicals (ISSM) invites proposals for its 2027 conference, held for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere and hosted by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music at the University of Sydney.

The conference begins from a simple observation: the definition of music theatre is expanding. Music theatre is properly understood as a global form. New work is emerging from every corner of the world, while independent, community-based and artist-led practice continues to expand who gets to make, be represented in, and shape the future of the art form.

Music Theatre Worlds asks what is driving these changes and what they might mean for the future of the genre.

We are particularly interested in work engaging with:

  • changing industry structures and disruption;

  • music theatre's growth beyond its traditional commercial centres;

  • the emergence of national and regional traditions;

  • independent artists and companies;

  • community and grassroots practice; and

  • the ways in which artists and communities are building new music theatre worlds outside dominant institutional and geographical models.

We invite proposals that question, challenge, expand and reimagine the worlds of music theatre.

CONFERENCE STREAMS

Proposals are welcome across the following three streams, corresponding to the conference's central themes. Cross-stream and interdisciplinary proposals are strongly encouraged.

STREAM 1 — INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE AND INDUSTRY FUTURES

  • Commercial versus subsidised models of production

  • The economics and risk profile of new work development

  • Streaming and digital distribution of music theatre

  • Workforce conditions, unions and labour in the industry

  • Changing pathways in music theatre training and education

  • Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in composition, production and performance

  • Changing relationships between artists, producers, institutions and audiences

  • Changes in demographics – inclusive casting, rehearsal and performance practices

STREAM 2 — GLOBAL GROWTH

  • Music theatre's expansion into the Global South

  • Cross-cultural adaptation, translation and localisation of musicals

  • Colonial legacies and postcolonial approaches to the form

  • National and regional music theatre canons beyond the US/UK axis

  • International touring, licensing, intellectual property and commercial distribution

  • Music theatre and national or regional identities

  • Indigenous and culturally specific approaches to music theatre

  • The circulation of music theatre ideas, practices and artists across borders

STREAM 3 — LOCAL INDEPENDENTS / INDEPENDENCE

  • Independent and small-scale production models

  • Community, grassroots and amateur music theatre practice

  • Regional and rural access, touring and participation

  • Artist-led companies and alternative funding and governance models

  • Independence from imported repertoire: new and emerging national voices

  • Relationships between independent, institutional and commercial music theatre

  • Building sustainable local ecosystems for new work

  • Place, community and the development of distinctive regional practices

SUBMISSION TYPES

INDIVIDUAL PAPER

20 minute presentation + 10 minute discussion | Submit a 250-word abstract.

PRECOMPOSED PANEL

Three to four speakers · 90 minutes total | Submit a 250-word panel overview, together with individual abstracts for each presenter.

PRACTICE-BASED / PERFORMANCE SUBMISSION

30 or 45 minute presentations | Workshop showings, short performance-lectures and other practice-as-research formats are welcome. Submit a 250-word abstract describing the work, its research contribution, and any technical and performance requirements.

ROUNDTABLE

90 minute discussion | A facilitated discussion among 4–6 participants addressing an emerging issue in the field. Submit a 250-word proposal naming the convener and participants.

KEY DATES

1 December 2026 | Abstract Submission Deadline

10 January 2027 | Notification of Decision

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Abstracts must be no more than 250 words, in English, and submitted via the conference submission portal by 1 December 2026.

Early-career researchers, independent scholars and practitioner-researchers are warmly encouraged to apply.

All submissions will be reviewed by the ISSM 2027 Program Committee.

Please note past conference themes and schedules from recent conferences can be found on the ABOUT page.