Writers are currently invited to submit "production-ready" musicals to the 2007 Next Link Project. Eighteen shows will be chosen by a jury that includes Adam Epstein, Margo Lion and Casey Nicholaw for presentation during the annual festival.

NYMF founder and executive director Kris Stewart said in a statement, "The Next Link Project is central to what we do at NYMF, because the open submission process gives equal opportunity to writers at all levels of the theatre community, from working professionals to those whose work has not yet been produced. It is critical to our pursuit of the most diverse array of work possible by musical theatre’s most exciting emerging writers."

Writers-composers chosen this year will have access to professional dramaturgs, who will help them shape and develop their scripts.

Since its inception in 2004, NYMF has produced 913 performances of 256 events. Among the shows that have been part of previous Festivals are Altar Boyz, [title of show], The Great American Trailer Park Musical and Captain Louie.

Applications for The Next Link Project are available on the NYMF website, www.nymf.org. Applications are being accepted through March 1.