Broadway Musicians Equity Partnership Launched Its Pilot Program

Broadway Musicians Equity Partnership (BMEP) announced the launch of its pilot program. BMEP’s innovative program aims to provide access and learning opportunities for musicians who have historically been underrepresented on Broadway to learn about being in the musical theater industry.

BMEP’s program kicked off September 13 at the inaugural meet & greet of Local 802’s DECIBAL (Diversity, Equity, Community, Inclusion, Belonging, Access, Leadership) Collective, Local 802’s diversity collective that counts BMEP as one of its members.

We set out to create a program that would respectfully and responsibly open doors to the Broadway scene for multiple communities that have been historically underrepresented and excluded, including people of color, people with disabilities, and transgender or nonbinary individuals.

Anja Wood, co-chair of the BMEP committee

The inaugural cohort of BMEP includes 19 visiting partner musicians matched with current Broadway chair holders.

BMEP is funded via a grant from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment says they are proud to support this innovative program and is committed to supporting NYC’s workers.

BMEP was developed in August 2021 by a group of Broadway musicians, music directors, and former Local 802 Executive members, with the specific goal of fostering collaboration, growth, inclusion, and equity within the Broadway community.

Every musician in a Broadway orchestra pit got their start thanks to someone who gave them a change and gave them a hand to work their way up. This program aims to provide that same opportunity to talented musicians who might not otherwise have a chance.

Alvin Hough Jr., co-chair of BMEP committee

The BMEP is a program that’s stretched over three months of one-on-one partnerships, offering:

• Shadowing and Pit Visits: visiting partners get the chance to learn by shadowing their chairholder partner in the Broadway orchestra pit.
• Facilitated Workshops: visiting partners get access to in-person workshops with various guest speakers ranging from Broadway music directors to chairholders. These workshops provide a greater context to the complex working environment on Broadway and also offer critical networking opportunities.
• Final Project: a hands-on playing experience between Broadway chair holders and visiting musicians to demonstrate their playing skills after learning a Broadway book.

The program is open to all professional musicians in the New York City area from groups which have been historically underrepresented in musical theater. For more information about BMEP, visit their website.