Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “School of Rock – The Musical” licensor Concord Theatricals has launched a new licensing contest, that will award 10 schools with a free, three-performance license to perform the musical in its original form or its “Young Actors Edition” (latter developed with in collaboration with iTheatrics) with all rental materials included. Schools and youth groups in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada are eligible for the contest, with schools that receive Title I funding and those located in under-resourced communities especially encouraged to apply.
In order to enter the contest, schools and youth groups must fill out a written application, including an essay about how music has affected their students and school community. Ten winners will be chosen based on financial need, creativity of application answers and other criteria, and will be contacted by Concord Theatricals in late May to early June. Productions of either version of “School of Rock,” must take place between August 2026 and December 2027.
“We’re excited to launch our Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘School of Rock – The Musical’ licensing contest to under-resourced schools in North America, giving students and educators the opportunity to bring this feel-good family musical to their communities,” said Concord’s senior vice president of amateur licensing Billie Davis in a statement. “We can’t wait to see how they rock it out!”
Based on the 2003 film, “School of Rock – The Musical” features lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes. It was originally workshopped at the Gramercy Theatre before its Broadway opening at the Winter Garden Theatre on Dec. 6, 2015. Lloyd Webber’s first new musical to make its world premiere on the Main Stem (rather than in London) since “Jesus Christ Superstar” in 1971, “School of Rock” was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A West End production opened in 2016, receiving three Olivier Award nominations, including Best New Musical and winning Outstanding Achievement in Music.
