Founded by Lehman Engel in 1961, the well-known developmental hothouse for new musicals is currently accepting applications through Aug. 1 for its first-year composer/lyricist class.

The 2008-2009 session begins Sept. 15 and is co-moderated by Workshop artistic coordinator Patrick Cook (Captains Courageous, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) and Workshop alumnus Frederick Freyer (Captains Courageous).

Sponsorship for the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop is fully covered by BMI, at no cost for participating writers. Prospective composers and lyricists (or self-contained composer-lyricists) are asked to submit three contrasting compositions (up-tempo, comedy song, ballad) on CD, accompanied by printed lyrics and a copy of the score.

The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop was created in order to nurture the craft of musical theatre by providing new writers with a testing ground for their work under the guidance of experienced professionals within the industry.

Notable alumni and members include Maury Yeston (Titanic, Grand Hotel, Nine), Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez (Avenue Q), Edward Kleban (A Chorus Line), Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island, Dessa Rose), Gerard Alessandrini (Forbidden Broadway) and Michael John LaChiusa (Hello Again, Marie Christine, The Wild Party). For further information and to download an application visit BMI.com.