COMPOSER
Ethan Carlson
Ethan Carlson is a New York-based singer + songwriter and musical theatre composer. His unique, folky, electric songs have been featured at Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, Don't Tell Mama, the Davenport Theatre and more. He was a finalist in The Foundation for New American Musicals for his musical Blind Flight, with co-writer Saidu Sinlah. His show, Her Sound, had a sold out show in NYC’s iconic venue, Joe’s Pub, under the direction of by Sammi Cannold (Endlings, EVITA) and Mary McGowan (Jagged Little Pill, How To Dance in Ohio), and has since been performed internationally. You can listen to the full Her Sound concept album wherever you stream music, produced by Thousand Faced Theatre Company and Ryan Scott Oliver. His newest show, Goliath, with co-writer Cassidy Layton, is a new queer musical that tells the story of a young man forced to go to gay conversion camp. On stage, he most recently was seen touring in the limited engagement run of Waitress, in the ensemble and Ogie cover, directed by Diane Paulus. Pace MT graduate.
“Ethan Carlson is one of the most gifted up-and-coming composer-lyricists I know. His well-crafted lyrics and his inescapable melodies make his premiere concept album the arrival of an important new voice in the contemporary musical theatre.”
SHOWS
Music & Lyrics by Ethan Carlson
Music & Lyrics by Ethan Carlson, Book by Cassidy Layton
Music & Lyrics by Ethan Carlson, Book by Cassidy Layton
ALBUMS
Her Sound, Vol. 1, 2, & 3 | The full musical, 21 songs, was recorded + engineered by 2-time Grammy Winner, John Kilgore. Streaming wherever music is sold. Produced by Ryan Scott Oliver & Thousand Faced Theatre Company, 2020-2022
Goliath: Demos | 2 Demos, “In Glitter” & “Defect”, were recorded at Reservoir Studios, and released everywhere music is sold, 2024
Write Out Loud | “Samson", 2021, performed by Academy Award Winner Ariana DeBose, and Tony Award Nominee Taylor Louderman
AWARDS & SELECT FEATURED WORKS
54 Below, New York, NY, 2025, "New Writers at 54 Below! Ethan Carlson” | Show of all Ethan’s music. Featuring Liz Callaway, Nikki Renée Daniels, Jordan Tyson and more
Joe's Pub, New York, NY, 2024, "Ethan Carlson” | Solo Show of all Ethan’s music. Featuring songs from Goliath, Bermuda Triangle and Non Musical Theatre
Songbyrd Grant Recipient, NY 2023 | Ethan and his writing partner, Cassidy Layton, were selected to receive the inaugural Songbyrd (Michael R. Jackson) Grant to record demos for their new musical “Goliath”. They will be recorded in October, 2023
New York Film Academy New Work Series Presents "Her Sound: A New Musical", NY 2023 | "Her Sound" received a 2-week workshop at NYFA as part of their 2023 New Works Series.
Joe's Pub, New York, NY, 2022, "Her Sound: A New Musical" | This concert was produced by Thousand Faced Theatre & Ryan Scott Oliver. Directed by Mary McGowan & Sammi Cannold. Starring Jeanna de Waal, Jewelle Blackman, Lianah Sta. Ana and more!
Winner of Taylor Louderman’s 2020 Write Out Loud Contest, 2020, "Samson" | Ethan won the Write Out Loud Contest in 2020 for his song, "Samson" from "Her Sound"
SoHo Repertory Theater Salon, 2020, “Goliath” | This was a showcase for new writers, where Ethan and writing partner Cassidy Layton premiered 20minutes of their newest musical, "Goliath"
Buddies In Bad Times, Toronto, Ontario 2019, "Her Sound: A New Musical" | This concert was produced by Diva Day. All proceeds went to the purchasing of 10,000 diva cups for the women in Kenya
Don’t Tell Mama, New York, NY, 2017, "Her Sound: A New Musical" | This concert was the original debut of the entire piece, directed by the acclaimed Sammi Cannold
The Davenport Theatre, New York, NY, 2014, "LEAP" | This concert featured Ryan Scott Oliver, Drew Gasparini, Alex Sage Oyen, Scott Alan, and Ethan Carlson
Don’t Tell Mama, New York, NY, 2015, “The Rehearsal Room: Ethan Carlson” | This concert featured 9 of Ethan's songs, with a talkback following
Select Concerts | 2023 Wren Rivera performed "Ruth & Naomi", 2020 Kerri George performed "Naomi", “Hatched” 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, “Actor Therapy In Concert” 2025, 2024, 2023, 2018, 2016, "NYMF” 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
Finalist in the Festival of New American Musicals | California, 2015 | Ethan was selected to participate in the Festival in CA, where he placed in the finals, for his 15-minute musical, "Blind Flight"
SELECT CONCERTS
Ethan Carlson at 54 Below
On March 25th, 2025, 54 Below’s New Writers at 54! Series presented Ethan Carlson in concert, featuring a star studded cast including… Tony Award Nominee Liz Callaway (Miss Saigon, Baby, Anastasia), Nikki Renée Daniels (Company, The Book of Mormon, Les Misérables), Jordan Tyson (Gypsy, The Notebook), Jake Pedersen (Parade, Wicked), Benji Santiago (The Notebook), Kim Onah (The Notebook, & Juliet) and Alisa Melendez (Almost Famous, Mamma Mia!) and many more stars!
Ethan Carlson at Joe’s Pub
Ethan Carlson (Waitress) and some incredible Broadway guest artists, played a sold out crowd in a night of bold, new, exciting, electric songs.
It featured: Kerstin Anderson, Caitlin Doak, Michael Lowney, José Monge, Malia Monk, Lexi Rabadi, Mason Olshavsky with Christian Clausnitzer, Riley Finn, Joey Maher and Josh Tanzer.
Her Sound at
Joe’s Pub
Joe's Pub, New York, NY, 2022, "Her Sound: A New Musical"
Her Sound is a rebellious new musical that tears apart ancient stories and reimagines them in a new light. It’s fierce, unapologetic, and loud — love, sex, fury, and truth. These aren’t the stories you were told, they’re the ones that were buried.
This concert was produced by Thousand Faced Theatre & Ryan Scott Oliver. Directed by Mary McGowan & Sammi Cannold. It starred Jeanna de Waal, Jewelle Blackman, Lianah Sta. Ana and more!
