Production of Musicals and Getting Musicals Produced
If you want to see your musical on stage and brought to a higher level of public attention, get your work in front of people who can make a difference. These include producers, successful writers who have connections, directors, agents who represent writers, and othermovers and shakers. The professional musical theatre "community" is relatively small and close knit. Word of mouth goes a long way towards attracting people who are in a position to take your musical to the next level.
Festivals
Read about Musical Theatre Festivals where original musicals get mounted and seen by the public.
Theatres that present or develop original musicals
Some theatres include developing new musicals as part of their mission. They may not take unsolicted material, though. You might need to be seen somewhere first, at a workshop or festival. Read more Theatres developing new musicals
Readings and Workshops
Writers programs: BMI and ASCAP are examples of workshops that offer writers ways of exposing their work to industry professionals.
Read about ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshops | BMI musical theatre workshops
Cabaret shows
In New York City where there are many cabaret venues, writers sometimes showcase their work or ask singers to showcase their work, such as at Don't Tell Mama and The Duplex. Usually individual songs are presented but in some places a concert version of a show could be offered. Other cities may have cabarets or bars where work could be seen. When a show is scheduled, you need to do your own publicity such as mailing post cards to get the word out.
Here's some links about cabaret: www.cabaretscenes.com/
The Siegel's column at Theatremania.com Theatremania.com
ASCAP Cabaret Showcase: Several times a year ASCAP offers a cabaret showcase for cabaret/theatre songwriters. See ASCAP cabaret showcase
Academic Options
Consider getting into an academic program that supports having shows produced. Academic programs
Producer Listings
THEATRICAL INDEX
Buy Theatrical Index - Monthly Edition
Price Berkley, Publisher
Sub-titled "The Voice of the Theatre," this periodical is filled with information on musicals, plays scheduled to open, and the current theatrical offerings. Theatrical Index is specifically geared to professionals within the theater industry, with information on producers, agents and publicists - however, there are no narrative articles or profiles. The format is stapled 8 1/2"-by-11" size pages cleanly produced without advertising or illustrations. This publication provides essential information on works in production, and the principle people involved in the productions.
Tips on Submission
To take advantage of any opportunity, you will probably need:
1. a demo recording
2. a synopsis of the songs on the recording
3. lyric sheets
4. a synopsis of the story
5. a partial or full script
6. bios of creative team
Directors, Actors, Casting
In a Dramatists Guild contract, a show's authors have approval over the choice of director,the cast, and designers. In non-professional productions this is likely to be a necessity - if you are championing your own show.
How do I find a director; work with a director?
How do I cast my show? If you are applying for a festival, you may have the option of using a casting agency associated with that festival. Other places to post notices are playbill.com jobs section, backstage.com, actorslife.com
Sound, Lights, Effects, Video
See our Production Support page
Promoting Your Show
Guidebooks
Dramatists Sourcebook 24th Edition (Dramatists Sourcebook)
Now in its 4th edition, Dramatists Sourcebook-the best-selling guide for opportunities for stage writers-is completely revised, with more than 900 opportunities for playwrights, translators, composers, lyricists and librettists, as well as opportunities for screen, radio and television writers. In an easy-to-use format, the Sourcebook details script-submission procedures for more than 350 theatres seeking new plays; more than 150 prizes and sections on submission guidelines, fellowships and grants, organizations, script preparation, agents, colonies and residencies, workshops, publishing opportunities and a submission calendar. Thoroughly indexed, with an invaluable calendar of submission deadlines, this is an indispensable reference work for any playwright.
The book sets out clearly and straightforwardly what to expect, what your responsibilities are, what your rights are, how much to charge for your services and how to protect yourself as a professional theater writer today. It's all here: copyrights, agents, contracts, script approval, credits, royalties . . . all the stuff that could make you--or break you.
Dramatist Guild Resource Directory - Writer's Guide to the Theatrical Marketplace. See http://dramatistsguild.org/
Musical Writers Career
See our Career page for organizations to join and practical support such as website options, business cards, etc.
Suggestions/comments
Stephen Schwartz answers a question from a British writer about getting a show mounted: I don't know exactly how it works in London, but what one would try to do here in the States is invite as many potential producers and backers as possible to a reading.
Would it be possible to reassemble the cast who did your first well-received workshop for a day or so for such a purpose? If that's not possible, you could send the script and a CD of selections from the score to potential producers or agents, though sending unsolicited material is I admit a bit of a longshot.
I think it's mostly a matter of trying to get your work heard and seen in any way you can think of; if it's good, people will begin to get excited about it, and through the mysterious alchemy of networking, something may come of that. This is sort of what happened for me with my first show, PIPPIN, which I dragged around New York with me, playing it for anyone wno would listen, when I first got out of university. Above all, persevere!
To send suggestions, comments, or questions write to comments@musicalwriters.com