***New course!***
Interested in writing for musical theatre but daunted about where to start? Wondering how to apply your writing skills in new ways? Curious about how to get involved in the thriving UK musical theatre scene?
Writing For Musicals: An Introduction To Book & Lyrics is a half-day introduction for playwrights new to writing for musical theatre. Whether you’re already a passionate fan or someone who thinks musicals just aren’t for them, this course will give you the foundation to try something new and start creating innovative new musical works.
About The Workshop
One of the things that can put off emerging writers from tackling musical theatre projects is the number of perceived ‘rules’ that accompany writing for musical theatre. This workshop will demystify these core concepts and terminology, showing how you can use them as tools rather than be limited by them.
The workshop will cover approaches both to book writing & lyric writing from a practical perspective. In the realm of book writing, we’ll look at the ingredients of a successful show, navigating the writing process, working with collaborators, and approaching the unique musical theatre structure. Lyric writing will cover ‘Song Spotting’ to find the best moments to sing, a basic introduction to song structure and rhyming, and how to approach lyric writing in a way that feels authentic to your voice.
The session will conclude with practical information about where to look if you’re interested in learning more or meeting collaborators. Time will also be made for questions.
The workshop will be friendly and interactive, with participants’ own ideas and creativity encouraged within the framework of the material being covered.
Note: Please note that this approach is from a writer’s perspective rather than a composer’s perspective. (Although composers interested in learning more about working with language are also welcome.) Music writing and notation will not be covered in the session.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is open to all. A basic knowledge of playwriting is assumed, but no prior knowledge of musicals, book writing, or lyric writing is required. Additionally, there is no need to read music, sing or play an instrument. An appreciation for and interest in music is important to get the most out of the session, but this workshop is focused on the words.
When & Where
When: Sunday 17 April 2016 from 2 – 5pm
Where: Theatre Delicatessen – 119 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3DA (nearest tube: Farringdon)
Cost: £41 for half-day workshop
How To Book
Please click the link below to book your place:
Places are reserved on a strictly first come first serve basis, so early booking is advised.
About the Workshop Leader
A.C. Smith is a scriptwriter and songwriter. She is a Playwriting Tutor on the MA Text & Performance at RADA, where she previously served as Head of Academic Studies. She has won awards for her writing from the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Soho Theatre, and has also been shortlisted for the Kevin Spacey Foundation Artists of Choice Awards and the Perfect Pitch Award as a lyricist/librettist for musical theatre. Her writing has been performed at the Soho Theatre, HighTide, RADA, Southwark Playhouse, Theatre503, and Pleasance Theatre, among others. She has worked at First Born Films as Development Executive, working on new feature film projects, and has worked as a writer/dramaturg with physical theatre & dance projects with Theatre Re and Jorge Crecis. She is Co-Founder & Director of London Playwrights’ Blog.
Photo credit: Randy Lemoine via Flickr Commons CC License
Are your workshops available online
Hi Craig,
We do have some online workshops available on our members site (londonplaywrights.org) – although not one on writing for musicals as of yet. We are currently working on building up our range of courses though, so watch this space!
Also interested in an online course! Am based in Australia…
Thanks Liliane – we’ll keep you posted!