Sunday October 16th, 10am to 6pm
Nola Studios, 244 W. 54th Street, 11th floor
This workshop is dedicated to fostering a conversation about musical theater structure not only for writers but also for producers, directors and everyone involved in the creation and production of new works. Each workshop will accept up to 10 writing teams and/or producers who will share works in progress and get feedback from a panel of expert evaluators. Audience members will also have a chance to offer their observations, participate in discussions and network sessions and enjoy refreshments.
Click for application as a writable PDF: howtowriteamusical1edit
Writers or producers are invited to submit no more than the first 25 pages of a show you are working on, plus MP3s of the songs within those pages.** In the workshop (part 1) we will focus on two main aspects: 1) the opening number (or any number that invites the audience into the world of the show); and 2) the songs and scenes in which you introduce your characters. We will discuss "I want" songs, "I am" songs and "I feel" songs, and the function of each, with special attention to the way they move the action. In addition, we will continually explore the delicate balance between script and song.
- Nancy Golladay, literary consultant (NY Shakespeare Festival, O'Neill Conference, more), moderator of the BMI Librettists' Workshop;
- Sheldon Harnick, Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning lyricist (Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello, She Loves Me, The Apple Tree, The Rothschilds);
- Skip Kennon, composer/lyricist (Herringbone, Don Juan DeMarco, Time and Again), former artistic coordinator of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and teacher for two decades;
- Barbara Pasternack, artistic director of Theatreworks USA;
- Tom Polum, producer (The Toxic Avenger, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, All Shook Up).
Bob Ost, executive director of Theater Resources Unlimited, and TRU Literary Manager Cate Cammarata will facilitate.
**If accepted for presentation, there will be a participation fee of $100 ($85 for TRU members), which includes two seats for the entire day workshop as well as a 30 minute presentation-plus-feedback slot. Space is limited. Any additional attendees from the musical team (including music director, additional collaborators and cast members) who wish to observe the entire workshop must reserve in advance and will be charged $20 per person. There is an additional price break for writers who presented the same show at previous parts of the How to Write a Musical workshops.
The TRU Selection Committee will determine what song and scene from your show we want you to present, although you may tell us your preference. We will provide a room with a piano, refreshments, panelists, and an audience.
Those selected for presentation are required to bring performers and accompanist. (We can make suggestions for locating talent.)
Those not selected will be invited and encouraged to attend the workshop as observers. The price is $55 ($35 for TRU members). We will be promoting this to writers, directors and producers, with the hope of generating a useful conversation to help us all develop the skills to create successful works for musical theater.
All writers are expected to be in attendance for the entire day, or at least the full half day session in which your work is presented.
