Over the course of the first three parts of this series, new musical theatre writers have offered advice on everything from finding directors to getting your songs sung and into voices as soon as possible. Sometimes the SECOND step is the hardest. Too many musicals collect dust after a first reading – so I asked […]
The post FIRST STEPS, Part 4: Avoiding The Sophomore Slump appeared first on The NewMusicalTheatre.com Green Room.
In the first two parts of this series, writers discussed some first-step-options for your newly completed musical as well as the pros and cons of attaching a solid director to the piece. This week, I wanted to talk with writers about the importance and time frame for getting your songs heard with great singers. How […]
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In part one of FIRST STEPS: Things To Consider Once You’ve Written Your First Musical, some of my great writer friends shared their thoughts on first steps in development of that new musical you have sitting on your shelf and some tips on making those first parts of the process take shape. This week we […]
The post FIRST STEPS, Part 2: Finding A Director appeared first on The NewMusicalTheatre.com Green Room.
If you’re like me, you started writing your first musical when you should have been paying attention in math class. You slaved over your “serious” adaptation of whatever short story your English class was reading. You thought it was brilliant, but three years later, you threw the completed first draft away, fearing someone might actually […]
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I was once told that in this business, “everyone and their brother has written a musical.” I have learned over the years that there is more truth to this that you would imagine. There is no shortage of new musical writers. However, the vast majority of completed work will never see the light of day. […]
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I’ve recently found my new favorite musical theatre song. And by recently, I really mean that I first listened to this song about four weeks ago, and I’ve had it on repeat ever since. What could this fabulous piece of music possibly be? Why, it is “Waving Through a Window” from the new musical Dear […]
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In earlier installments of this blog, writers Daniel Tenney and Rob Gardner both referenced the challenge of finding a writing partner when you live outside of one of the major theater hubs. But what happens if you find a great collaborator—someone who shares your vision, where the creative chemistry starts to spark—and it turns out that […]
The post Beyond Broadway: Long Distance Relationships appeared first on The NewMusicalTheatre.com Green Room.
A friend recently heard Keith Jarrett live in concert. It was one of Keith’s solo concerts, which are entirely improvised. I’m quite familiar with KJ and the conversation I had with my friend brought to mind the following thoughts: A great improviser does not make a great composer. Improvisation and composition are two separate and distinct […]
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Carmel Dean is a composer and music director. As a writer, her work includes A Girl Called Vincent and Songs of Innocence and Experience. She was the music director for Hands on a Hardbody and American Idiot, and she’s currently music directing If/Then on Broadway. NMT: When did you start writing songs? Carmel Dean: I began writing songs when […]
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I’m doing it. I’m living the dream. In just seven weeks’ time, my new musical Fanatical will receive a professional workshop in London – the first step towards its premiere production. Yikes. The development of a new musical is an exhilarating and scary process for any writer. Moss Hart once said that you never really learn […]
The post How To Write This Musical, Part 1: The Opening Number appeared first on The NewMusicalTheatre.com Green Room.
Having just spent a weekend rediscovering my city with guests, I’d like to return to the specifics of Chicago’s musical theatre scene. Not everyone is in a position to produce for themselves, and for a city with over 100 distinct theatre companies, it can get confusing when it comes time to figure out whom to […]
The post Chicago Theatre Report: Where To Bring Your New Musical appeared first on The NewMusicalTheatre.com Green Room.
Since my old pal Kait Kerrigan did such a great guest post for me, about show writing and collaborative work in general, I thought for NMT I would point to some specific ways that my work as a librettist and lyricist has informed my subsequent career writing fiction. I definitely learned how to write dialog, just […]
The post Ben H. Winters: Fiction Writing and the “I Want” Song appeared first on The NewMusicalTheatre.com Green Room.
I love a good original musical. Many of the writers I talked about in my last post have written them. But if you think about it, original musicals are few and far between. Most – particularly the ones that go onto Broadway or have regular regional productions – are based on preexisting work. Maybe it’s […]
The post How to Secure The Rights to That Awesome Adaptation You Want to Write appeared first on The NewMusicalTheatre.com Green Room.
The desire to feel progressive and productive is a natural one that most writers feel. We want to know that our work is moving towards a satisfying goal. And sometimes that journey can seem a little bit hazy in regards to whether or not a project is going anywhere. But do not worry, I promise […]
The post Caught Up in the Labeling appeared first on The NewMusicalTheatre.com Green Room.
The act of musical composition involves one basic activity: choosing good notes. The choice is critical. The first notes heard by the listener set the tone for the entire song or symphony. Good notes are the well-spring for a wonderful composition. Bad notes signal bad music. A composer can’t make good music out of bad […]
The post You Want To Compose? This Is How It’s Done. appeared first on The NewMusicalTheatre.com Green Room.
Here we are. Back together again, talking about musical theatre… Last time, if you remember, we took a look at what makes a well written song cycle – a fun little animal of a musical piece that’s assembled with only music and lyrics. But now, I’d like to explore something different: the book musical. More […]
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