Deadline: June 1, 2021
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Musical Theatre Bookwriting Basics
This nine-month course explores the fundamentals of writing book for the musical theatre.
Drama Desk Award winning bookwriter Adam Mathias (he/him) unlocks the toolkit for musical theatre librettists. Through lecture, discussion, and assignments students learn how to apply the fundamentals of playwriting to the craft of creating musicals. As a class, writers deep-dive into the DNA of the musical theatre canon — from the Golden Age through today — dissecting what works and why and then applying it to their own work.
Applicants should have a book-musical project in mind to develop over the course of the year; this musical could be anywhere from an early concept to an early draft.
The course runs September through May in New York City, Covid restrictions permitting. Prospective members should live in the city or be able to commute weekly.
Librettists Workshop
After completing the Bookwriting Basics program, writers may apply to join the established Librettists Workshop group. Not all writers who apply will be invited to join.
Applicants must submit two writing samples, at least one of which must include comedic content.
Either or both samples could be:
Any of these may be in-progress, produced and/or published material.
Scripts from genres other than playscripts or musical theatre scripts are also acceptable; however, theatrical comedy scenes are preferred to stand-up or sketch material.
In addition, writers must include a bio or resume.
Schedule
Musical Theatre Bookwriting Basics — Tuesdays 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Librettists Workshop — Mondays 6:15 - 8:15 p.m.
All sessions take place at the BMI Offices in lower Manhattan from September through May. All prospective members must arrange to live in the greater New York City area or be able to commute weekly September through May. Please do not apply if this is not possible for you.
Applications must be submitted by June 1st.
Musical Theatre Bookwriting Basics
This nine-month course explores the fundamentals of writing book for the musical theatre.
Drama Desk Award winning bookwriter Adam Mathias (he/him) unlocks the toolkit for musical theatre librettists. Through lecture, discussion, and assignments students learn how to apply the fundamentals of playwriting to the craft of creating musicals. As a class, writers deep-dive into the DNA of the musical theatre canon — from the Golden Age through today — dissecting what works and why and then applying it to their own work.
Applicants should have a book-musical project in mind to develop over the course of the year; this musical could be anywhere from an early concept to an early draft.
The course runs September through May in New York City, Covid restrictions permitting. Prospective members should live in the city or be able to commute weekly.
Librettists Workshop
After completing the Bookwriting Basics program, writers may apply to join the established Librettists Workshop group. Not all writers who apply will be invited to join.
Applicants must submit two writing samples, at least one of which must include comedic content.
Either or both samples could be:
- a 10-page or longer excerpt from a script or other genre
- a complete one-act
- a full-length script
Any of these may be in-progress, produced and/or published material.
Scripts from genres other than playscripts or musical theatre scripts are also acceptable; however, theatrical comedy scenes are preferred to stand-up or sketch material.
In addition, writers must include a bio or resume.
Schedule
Musical Theatre Bookwriting Basics — Tuesdays 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Librettists Workshop — Mondays 6:15 - 8:15 p.m.
All sessions take place at the BMI Offices in lower Manhattan from September through May. All prospective members must arrange to live in the greater New York City area or be able to commute weekly September through May. Please do not apply if this is not possible for you.
Applications must be submitted by June 1st.