The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation Musical Theatre Fest is set to return to Los Angeles' Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts May 14-21. This year's festival will focus on music for film and TV animation, showcasing opportunities for musical theatre songwriters and composers. 

Speakers will include Glenn Slater (Tangled, Sister Act: The Musical), Heitor Pereira (Puss in Boots, Despicable Me), Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Anastasia), Michelle Lewis (The Loud House, Doc McStuffins), Future Vega (Doug Unplugs, Fast & Furious Spy Racers), Jeannie Lurie (Mira, Royal Detective, Kinderwood, Cleopatra in Space), Layla Minoui (Vampirina, Ridley Jones), Vidjay Beerepoot (Superkitties, Minnie’s Bow-Toons), and Raye Zaragoza (Spirit Rangers). 

Sessions will cover the life cycle of a song from pre-production to screen, the art of collaboration, music's journey from stage to screen and vice-verse, hiring practices for composers and lyricists, and more. 

The festival will feature an evening of performances and interviews celebrating the life and impact of legendary lyricist Howard Ashman (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin), held May 17. 

Programming will also include the inaugural ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Librettist Workshop May 18-21. Selected applicants will present and receive feedback on their work for an original musical from a panel of composers, producers, and librettists. 

Panels and workshop sessions are free and open to the public. Click here for a full schedule or to make reservations.