Oliver Houser's Newest Musical "XY"

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

KHN Alum (2019), Oliver Houser, composer, is excited to share announcements and updates about his newest musical, XY. The musical, which was three years in the making and some of which was worked on while Oliver was a resident at KHN, was optioned by broadway producers and had it's first run at the National Alliance of Musical Theatre Conference (NAMT) last October. Oliver composed and wrote the musical, and it was co-developed and directed by Hunter Bird.

XY is an original musical about an intersex man navigating his first romantic relationship while he’s haunted by his past. Houser and Bird can’t wait to share this show with the world and help bring exposure to the intersex community, which continues to battle stigmatization and harmful “corrective” medical practices. To learn more about intersex, advocacy, resources, and Intersex Awareness Day, visit InterACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth.

From Oliver about XY: "Since my being at KHN, a musical for which I wrote book, music and lyrics, XY, was optioned by Broadway producers Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff (Come From Away, Memphis). The piece received readings at the Village Theater in Seattle and Chicago Shakespeare Theater In 2019, and a developmental production at the Village Theater in February 2020 followed by a full production and world premiere at a historic nonprofit theater in 2021." Follow Oliver on his website and instagram for updates and for location reveal for the 2021 full premiere.

Oliver Houser is a New York-based singer-songwriter and musical theatre artist. A recent Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellow and winner of the inaugural Stephen Schwartz Award, the ASCAP Foundation Sammy Cahn Award and a SongSpace Grant, Oliver’s work has been performed and developed at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the Village Theatre, the Annual National Alliance for Musical Theatre Conference (NAMT), the SoHo Playhouse, the New York Musical Festival, the New York International Fringe Festival, the Other Palace Theatre in the UK and other venues across the United States. Oliver has headlined at the Kennedy Center and performs his music throughout New York City. He has developed work within many residency programs and and has received numerous grants and awards. Current projects include After The Fall (TheaterworksUSA). Oliver also volunteers with Musicians on Call, is a member of ASCAP, The Dramatists Guild and The Musical Theatre Factory, and finished a public "Song Journal" in 2019, in which he improvised and posted an original song to Facebook and YouTube every day. Oliver's mission is to create songs and musicals that embrace the spectrum of the human experience and connect us to our shared humanity, healing and inspiring myself and the world.

For full list of Oliver's musicals, performances, writing, and acting, visit Oliver's website, and you can also read his bio in our Resident Directory.

Congratulations, Oliver!

Oliver Houser

Oliver Houser wins Stephen Schwartz Award

InterACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth

Oliver Houser on Soundcloud

Oliver Houser / YouTube channel

Oliver Houser on instragram

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My favorite aspect of the residency was the undistracted, solitary time to work! My studio (#2) was wonderful with both the natural and track lighting and the garage door.

Myszka Lewis

Visual Artist, 2018 — Madison, WI

There's so much I like! I like the intimate nature of the residency and how the very excellent alone time is balanced with just a bit of togetherness with the organized lunch and invites to some stuff in town. I love the Third Thursday open house.

Betsy Andrews

Writer, 2018 — Brooklyn, NY

I thought the number of residents was perfect. It was easy to get to know everyone, and feel comfortable here. Both my living and studio accommodations were very comfortable and welcoming.

Hannah Newman

Visual Artist, 2018 — Springfield, MO

The Staff was very supportive, it was easy to reach out and discuss anything. The facilities are also very comfortable, and the environment is great for working.

Jayoung Yoon

Visual Artist, 2018 — Beacon, NY

The open gallery night was especially wonderful. I really enjoyed the chance to share my work with the larger community and to hear their feedback and questions — as well as to see and hear the work of the other residents.

Sonia Scherr

Writer, 2018 — Norwich, VT

For me, the most valuable aspect was the open structure that allowed for plenty of time and space to make work, make friends, think, read, write and be. The apartment was beautiful, comfortable and inspiring. With the studio only a few steps away, it was easy to be productive.

Katy Mixon

Visual Artist, 2018 — Brooklyn, NY

This place is shockingly quiet. The welcome letter mentions that, but it's nothing compared to the actual silence on the grounds. The town itself aids to this, and it yields an excellent environment for creativity.

Kory Reeder

Composer, 2017 — Kearney, NE

The interdisciplinary structure is really beneficial and generates unique conversations while providing mutual inspiration for residents. The staff is engaged but is also very conscious of respecting the time and space of each resident. Nebraska City has excellent institutions but still provides a quiet and slow-paced setting. The apartment and studio are well equipped, clean, and well maintained.

Kari Varner

Visual Artist, 2017 — University City, MO

Facilities, staff, and the ease with which I was able to simply settle in and work all exceeded my expectations!

Lauren W. Westerfield

Writer, 2017 — Moscow, ID

I think the facility at KHN could not be more ideally suited for an artist residency program. I felt like I was staying in a very comfortable private home and I had everything that I needed to do my work, and having the private bathroom and spacious kitchen was wonderful.

Gary Peter

Writer, 2017 — St. Paul, MN

Peace and quiet. Beautiful facilities! Piano was great, staff was very friendly and helpful. And that Mexican place is EXCELLENT.

Jonathan Russ

Composer, 2017 — Brooklyn, NY

KHN is a wonderful facility in a beautiful space. It was great to have time to focus on my work, and I took advantage of the location to photograph several nearby prairies and natural areas.

Amanda Breitbach

Visual Artist, 2017 —Lincoln, NE

The staff was so helpful and accommodating. I couldn't believe how easy they made everything. They also were always ready to find things for me and share resources. This made everything so much easier since I had travelled from too far to bring a lot of extra items for my studio practice. I loved that there was a mix of writers, artists and composers. This mix made for great conversations and interesting meetings.

Julia Staples

Visual Artist, 2017 — Philadelphia, PA

The space and set up were great! This is one of my favorite residencies thus far. The location of the apartment wasn't too far from civilization but also in a good area for it not to be super noisy nor was there lots of traffic or other sounds. The middle school across the street wasn't at all a distraction. I also really loved the dessert spots and greatly appreciated the staff's flexibility and availability to help, answer questions, drive you to the store when needed. All the details were thought of right down to a bathroom mat and miscellaneous supplies available in its own closet.

Jennifer Baker

Writer, 2017 — Kew Gardens, NY

This was the first time I'd ever had my own living space and studio, and time to structure as I pleased, so everything was a revelation to me. The pace of Nebraska City was a welcome shift from New York and I found it to be very welcoming without being intrusive (and just pedestrian-friendly enough).

Rachel Peters

Composer, 2017 — Brooklyn, NY

I love my room, I love my studio, I love that the town is calm and peaceful and pretty. It's so relaxing here. No one bothers me, and I feel free.

Dan Fishback

Composer, 2017 — Brooklyn, NY

This has been such an incredible opportunity for me to have the space and time I needed to really develop my artwork. The facilities at KHN are wonderful; I appreciated the garage had tons of wall space, natural light, and was temperature controlled. It made it incredibly easy to just jump right into the work.

Katherine Bickmore

Visual Artist 2017 — Albany, NY

There is such peace and quiet in a shared home and town is lovely and very conducive to working. The planned trips the store are so helpful as well as transport to/from the airport!

Parini Shroff

Writer, 2017 — Los Altos, CA

I really love the combination of autonomy and support here--I can be self-directed, but there is so much warmth and community as well. The staff is welcoming and communicative, and the facility feels very much like home.

Megan Kruse

Writer, 2017 — San Marcos, TX

I love the combination of solitude and camaraderie...getting an extended period of time to do nothing but work on my fiction is a rare and much-appreciated gift, but I also love meeting the other residents and learning from them.

Jen Bergmark

Writer, 2012 — Los Angeles, CA

The time and space away from my daily routine, jobs, relationships and responsibilities allowed me solitude and focus. The residency provided an opportunity to work in an environment of serious, like-minded artists and writers, which has pushed my practice and provided a platform to build a new body of work. It was a great experience.

Christina Vogel

Visual Artist, 2013 — Omaha, NE

I was able to produce more in my 3 week residency than I can normally in half a year. The building itself was inspiration for me and I enjoyed the small number of artists present at one time. The staff was incredibly helpful with their time, resources and ideas.

Desiree Moore

Visual Artist, 2016 — Indianapolis, IN

The residency was flawless in all areas. Facilities were charming and clean, the program structure open-ended, staff talented and kind, Nebraska City vibrant and idiosyncratic. I truly cannot single out any particular facet, as all aspects complemented the others: the architecture promotes seclusion and community, the structure promotes exploration and collaboration, the staff promotes well-being and cohesiveness, and the town promotes discovery in digestible pieces. Perfecto!

Todd Robinson

Writer 2016 — Omaha, NE

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Oliver Houser's Newest Musical "XY"

Oliver Houser's Newest Musical "XY"

What the Artists are Saying...

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