BMP: Producer Academy

01

Our Story

The BMP: Producer Academy was born out of a need to nurture, develop, and support rising producers and arts administrators in the live performance industry. With their flexibility, agility, and resourcefulness, the next generation of Producers is set to revolutionize the industry. BMP and The Producer Academy are proud to be a part of this journey.

The Producer Academy offers educational development for early-career producers, mentorship, and networking opportunities to build and support the knowledge and personal growth of new and diverse producers for the performing arts. This 8-week all-virtual program identifies and mentors the next generation of creative producers and administrators. The application process is straightforward, and we select participants based on their creative vision, involvement in the arts, and commitment to becoming innovators and industry change-makers as producers. 

The Producer Academy has served over 1,200 students in 17 countries and is deeply committed to creating a fully accessible and inclusive experience. We welcome and encourage applicants of all gender identities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and mental and physical abilities to apply. The Producer Academy can provide accessibility accommodations and additional support as needed at the participant’s request. 

BMP has been awarded a $485,000 grant over three years from the Mellon Foundation to support the development of the BMP: Producer Academy. The fully funded scholarship program by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation provides a unique opportunity for early career producers to receive high-quality training without financial barriers.

02

Curriculum & Schedule

BMP: Producer Academy is a tuition-free, intensive, all-virtual 8-week program that dissects the phases of a production life cycle and supports early-career producers in honing their skills in new performance work development, touring, and production.

At BMP: Producer Academy, we understand that the journey to becoming a successful producer can be challenging. That’s why we’ve designed a ‘nuts-and-bolts’ training program that provides aspiring and early-career producers with the support and guidance necessary to forge a new-work producing career. The Producer Academy builds a diverse and inclusive community of producing talent for the performing arts through our inclusive learning environment and cohort structure. Note that ‘early-career producers’ does not mean ‘young,’ but rather early in a journey as a producer. Some experience in the performing arts, whether as an artist, administrator, or technician, is important to succeed in the program.

Producer Academy Offerings Include the following curriculum:

• Curriculum Modules: The Developmental Process, Budgeting & Fundraising, Touring, Production Design and Technical Theater, Organizational and Administrative Structure, DEIA and the Production Process, and more
• One-on-one mentoring with BMP creative producers, administrative, and production staff members
• Networking opportunities with professional producers, presenters, and industry leaders
• Feedback on pitch materials and projects by high-level industry presenters
• Cohort-style learning in a group of no larger than 25 people

The Producer Academy is a significant time commitment and requires the following of participants:
• Weekly attendance at two (2) sessions (up to 3 hours each)
• Additional early evening happy hours and networking sessions during the 8-week academy period
• 3-5 homework assignments (2-3 hours each) submitted according to the academy’s scheduled due dates
• Additional mentorship sessions after the 8-week program (optional).

The 2024 Producer Academy Session Dates Are:
Week 1—
• September 23 (4-6pmET)
• September 24 (3-6pmET)
• September 26 (3-6pmET)
Week 2—
• October 1 (3-6pmET)
• October 3 (3-6pmET)
Week 3—
• October 8 (3-6pmET)
• October 10 (3-6pmET)
Week 4—
• October 14 (4-6pmET)
• October 15 (3-6pmET)
• October 17 (3-6pmET)
Week 5—
• October 22 (3-6pmET)
• October 24 (3-6pmET)
Week 6—
• October 28 (4-6pmET)
• October 29 (3-6pmET)
• October 31 (3-6pmET)
Week 7—
• November 5 (3-6pmET)
• November 7 (3-6pmET)
Week 8—
• November 12 (3-6pmET)
• November 14 (3-6pmET)

For questions about BMP: Producer Academy, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

03

Faculty

Learn from the best in the business. The BMP Producer Academy faculty includes Beth Morrison, Sam Linden, Victoria Voketaitis, Roderick Murray, Liz Uchtman, Alexis Peart, and other leading colleagues in the Opera and performance industry. 

Beth Morrison Projects is one of the foremost creators and producers of new opera-theatre and music theatre, with a fierce commitment to leading the industry into the future, cultivating a new generation of talent, and telling the stories of our time.

Founded by “contemporary opera mastermind” (LA Times) Beth Morrison, who was honored as one of Musical America’s Artists of the Year/Agents of Change in 2020, BMP has grown into “a driving force behind America’s thriving opera scene” (Financial Times), with Opera News declaring that the company, “more than any other… has helped propel the art form into the twenty-first century.”

Operating across the US and internationally, with offices in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, BMP’s unique model offers living composers the support, guidance, and freedom to experiment, allowing them to create singularly innovative and impactful projects. Since forming in 2006, the company has commissioned, developed, produced, and toured over 50 works in 14 countries around the world, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning chamber operas Angel’s Bone and p r i s m.

04

Timeline

Applications Open: July 5, 2024
Applications Close: August 9, 2024 @ 11:59 pm ET
Application Fee: None
Participation Fee: None

Application Requirements:

  • Contact Information
  • Short responses to the following prompts:
    • Where are you in your journey as a producer? Given that, why is BMP: Producer Academy the right training program for you at this point in your career? (200-250 Words) 
    • What kind of change do you want to create in the performing arts? (200-250 Words)
    • Describe your artistic aesthetic. What kind of art speaks to you? What is a specific performance you’ve seen or been a part of that exemplifies this aesthetic? (200-250 Words) 
    • How would participating in this year’s Academy advance your career and your ability to build a life in the arts? (200-250 Words)
    • How would you define yourself as a producer? Are you an artist who seeks to produce their own work? Someone who wants to produce the work of others? Some middle ground between the two? Something else entirely? (100-150 words)
  • Diversity Demographic Survey

The BMP: Producer Academy is deeply committed to creating a fully accessible and inclusive experience, starting from this application process. If you require accessibility accommodations to complete this application, please know that your needs are important to us, and reach out to us with specific questions or concerns. 

BMP: Producer Academy is a fully funded scholarship program by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. We receive a large number of applicants from a highly competitive pool, from which we will select 25 participants for the 2024 Producer Academy.

For any questions, please email the Academy’s Director of Administration, Alexis Peart, at [email protected].