Former National Alliance for Musical Theatre executive director Kathy Evans created the retreat, which welcomed its first group of writers during summer 2011.

Initial projects included A Clockwork Orange, by Fred Carl and Ed DuRanté; Nobody Loves You, by Gaby Alter and playwright Itamar Moses (The Four of Us); The Disillusionist, by Rebekah Melocik and Jacob Yandura; an untitled project by Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson writers Michael Friedman and Tony nominee Alex Timbers; Pool Boy, by Janet Allard and Nicholas Tsakalakos; Wheelhouse by GrooveLily members Valerie Vigoda, Brendan Milburn and Gene Lewin; and the Richard Rodgers Award-winning musical Gloryana, by Andrew Gerle.

Seven separate one-week residencies will be open to different teams/writers throughout July/August 2012. There is a $25 application fee. Writers are provided with transportation, housing, grocies and a small stipend during their stay. The retreat does not claim any stake in future royalties from participating musicals.

Among the individuals who aid in the selection process are Tony-winning City of Angels lyricist David Zippel, Lark Play Development Center managing director Michael Robertson, Goodspeed Musicals line producer Donna Lynn Hilton, Playwrights Horizons' director of musical theatre Kent Nicholson, Human Race Theater Company executive director Kevin Moore, and Story of My Life authors Neil Bartram and Brian Hill.

To apply visit RhinebeckWriters.org.