July 2026 - Highlights from the Musical Writers Festival

Guess who DIDN’T GET BULLIED THIS YEAR!!

We had a blast at this year’s Musical Writers Festival — Hijinx & Sue had one song showcased (“Someone to Someone”), one song workshopped (“Get Incorporated”), and we finally got to participate in Pitch Night, which is something we’ve been itching to do for years.

On top of all that, we took home FOUR AWARDS!! One “Performer’s Pick" award (Daniel’s THIRD in as many years, Jessi’s second) and THREE Pitch Night Awards.

Thank you thank you THANK YOU to everyone who cast a vote our way during Pitch Night. We truly couldn’t be happier. And shout out to Ana Vidina Hernández for being awarded the well deserved “Most Engaging/Prepared Pitch” for Pinteon the Musical. You can follow her creative process on both Pinteon and other projects right here. ↓

We were thrilled to have “Someone to Someone” performed by the incomparable Brett Warner…

…and “Get Incorporated” performed by the outstanding Lexi Nieto!

Additional thanks to Elijah Ponce for reprising their role as Hijinx during Pitch Night! What an honor to work with such incredible performers.

Musical Writers is such a lovely place to connect and reconnect with fellow writers. Every festival leaves us dead tired, but so rejuvinated and inspired to continue creating. We were especially inspired by the three inagural artist/writers in residence, Alyssa Payne, Elle Tyler, and Ash. You should absolutely be keeping your eyes on them.

And though we weren’t able to snag a picture with her this year, we want to extend a tremendous thank you to the one and only Rebecca Lowrey, who works tirelessly to program and pull off this conference. You’re an absolute powerhouse, and the DFW musical theatre community is so fortunate to have you!

You can check out Daniel’s Instagram to check out his three top highlights from the conference.

Thanks for everything, Musical Writers! Until next time. 😘

Lots of behind-the-scenes work. Jessi is continuing to revise the script for Hijinx & Sue while Daniel shifts gears to his other musical, Rapture in a Dark Church, as he prepares for its first living room reading! And we’re starting to lay the foundations for a Hijinx & Sue EP, so stay tuned for more news on that soon. 👀

Were you at the Musical Writers Festival?? Shout yourself out in the comments and tell us where everyone can find more information about your work!!!