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26 Musical Theatre Books, Librettos, and Biographies You can Borrow for FREE (save $468)

As a musical theatre writer, your craft is both an art and a science. You need to have a strong...

How Writers and Directors Work Together on New Musicals: An Interview with Ilana Ransom Toeplitz

Director Ilana Ransom Toeplitz generously shares her thoughts and experience on the process of working with writers on new musicals.

Steve Cuden on Story Arcs, Character Development, and Keeping the Audience Engaged

In our live Academy Mentor Session, Steve Cuden answered questions from Academy members on story arcs, song spotting, character development, and how to keep an audience engaged.

Summer Reading Books for Musical Writers in 2020

Catch up on relevant musical writing books this summer, including ideas for public domain material, how-to books, and books on “the making of a musical.”

Clambake: Curtain Up Act Two

The audience has stretched their legs, endured the line to the loo, and checked their email and the likes on their selfie with the night’s Playbill. The lights dim, and it’s time for Curtain Up: Act Two.

Bushwhacking: Second Couples, Villains & the Multiplot

We have established our “normal world” (time, place, characters, and rules of said world), identified our hero, defined his/her clear “want,” and entertained the audience a little as well. Now what?

Put On Your Sunday Clothes: “The Noise” (Production Numbers)

In a musical, big, showy production numbers are present for pure enjoyment and a reward for the audience staying with you thus far.

The Wizard and I – The “I Want” Song

The “I Want” song, usually the second number in a show, tells us who the story is about and the thing they’re willing to risk everything to pursue.

Curtain Up, Light the Lights – Writing Opening Numbers

When constructing “curtain up” moments and opening numbers, you must be clear, clever, and able to convince the audience to stay with you for the ride.

Five I Want Songs That Work

As every musical theater writer knows, the “I want” song is central to our craft. The stage may be full of people singing and dancing, but the I Want song tells the audience, “Watch this one. This is the important one. This is the one with the superhuman passion.”