The 13th annual workshop, led by Tony-nominated and Academy Award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz, is set to take place April 7-May 1 at the Disney Feature Animation Studio Lot. The new musicals are presented as part of the "ASCAP I Create Music Week," which also features songwriting workshops with Schwartz and singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter.

The creators of the four selected musicals – whittled down from over 160 applicants – present selections from their works to a panel of theatre professionals, including directors, producers and composers, who will offer critique and feedback on the works in progress.

The assembled panel of professionals will include Zina Goldrich, Marcy Heisler, Michael Korie, Stephen Paulus, Dan Rosenbaum, Peter Schneider, Matt Walker and Eric Whitacre.

The workshops are free for all participants. ASCAP encourages industry members, aspiring composers and those who submitted their material, to attend the workshops free of charge.

Presented April 7 and 30 will be How the Nurse Feels, featuring book and lyrics by David Green, lyrics by Debbie Lamedman, and music by John Glaudini. "Lincoln Park High School is presenting Romeo and Juliet. But the show is headed for disaster. The drama teacher has left town and the production has been turned over to the football coach. Tess Powell is the Nurse but has no idea how to do it. Bailey O'Neill, Tess' gay best friend, plays an 'out and proud Romeo' and Trudy Painter, a popular and promiscuous cheerleader, plays Juliet. Tess wades through her angst and faces her own prejudices about her peers, realizing what is really important - that every life, no matter how small, matters. And, she can finally play the Nurse," describe workshop notes for the tuner.

On April 7 and May 1 is Willoughby Tree, with book and lyrics by Jason Mayland, and music by Mayland and Greg Chun.

The musical is described as "the story of two elm trees that are planted outside a drive-in theatre in a Mid-Western farming town. Inspired by this taste of show business, they dream of a world where trees can pull up their roots and walk, dance, and even make movies of their own — in a magical place called Hollywood."

Following will be Bubble Boy, presented April 9 and 28. The musical has music and lyrics by Paul Cinco, who co-wrote the book with Ken Daurio.

Based on the screenplay penned by Cinco and Dario for the 2001 movie of the same title, Bubble Boy "tells the story of Jimmy Livingston, born without immunities and confined to a plastic bubble room. When he finds out the girl of his dreams is getting married, he builds a bubble suit and sets off on a cross-country quest to stop the wedding, encountering cult members, bikers, circus freaks, and his controlling mother along the way."

The final musical selected is Heartland – with a score by Philip Westin and libretto by Burt Peachy – to be presented April 9 and 29.

Inspired by the 1913 Willa Cather novel "O Pioneers!," Heartland "tells the story of immigrants who settled on the plains of Nebraska in the mid 19th century. Set to a sweeping score, we follow the life of Alexandra Bergstrom, a strong Swedish girl, who becomes a successful landowner, and the hardships, triumphs and tragedies she experiences over her life. Along the way we become involved with her best friend, Marie and others whom she loves and looses."

For further information visit www.ascap.com.

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Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development, through workshops, grants and scholarships.