mentors Archives | MusicalWriters.com

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...

44 Thoughts You Have While Preparing for a Musical Table Read

POV: You just finished a draft of the show you’re writing. Now it’s time to plan a musical table read, and we hear your inner monologue.

Writing Songs for Villains: An Interview with Stephen Schwartz

Sometimes we must put ourselves in the shoes of the “baddy” to create Villain songs—at least that’s what Stephen Schwartz does—and loves it!

How Opening Numbers Reveal a World or Launch the Story

Carol de Giere and Stephen Schwartz discuss the importance (and challenge) of constructing successful opening numbers — and offer a few tips!

5 Key Takeaways from Irene Sankoff

The MusicalWriters community recently chatted with Come From Away writer Irene Sankoff. Here are our 5 key takeaways for new musical development.

The Big Picture for Off Broadway Shows: Strategies for Success

Many aspiring theatre creators jump headfirst into producing the next Off Broadway hit. However, smart strategizing is often the key to success. Producer Victoria Lang of Broadway & Beyond Theatricals shares wise words on planning ahead.

Musical Writers Development Series Spotlight: Todd Low

Composer Todd Low shares his experience in the MusicalWriters Development Series, our 12-month coaching and musical development program.

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.

THEatre ACCELERATOR: Clarifying your Why, Market, Brand & Plan

The Apples and Oranges Arts THEatre ACCELERATOR helps writers create a toolbox of creative resources, marketing assets, pitching tools, and new industry contacts and colleagues.

MainStreet Musicals Highlights New Works Through Online Library

MainStreet Musicals is a cooperative of theater artists and directors that exists to help new musicals develop outside of NYC—on “Main Street” USA.

Matthew Sklar: From Pizza Readings to Broadway

Carol de Giere interviews Matthew Sklar, the Tony, Emmy and Drama Desk Award-nominated composer of Broadway musicals Elf and The Wedding Singer, and most recent to Broadway: The Prom.

Wicked Meets Cinderella and Other Rodgers and Hammerstein Musicals – An Interview with Stephen Schwartz

Stephen Schwartz shares his appreciation of Oscar & Hammerstein musicals and speaks of their influence on his work in an interview with Carol de Giere.