As I write this in March 2024, AI language models like ChatGPT are becoming incredibly sophisticated tools. With the right prompts, ChatGPT and similar tools can create everything from cover letters, to meal plans, to a “haiku about musical theatre.”

Spotlights and dreams blend,

voices rise, stories unfold,

hearts dance in the light.

—ChatGPT

But for musical writers, the idea of handing over your creative process to an AI is likely a little…. nerve-wracking.

Take a deep breath, because that’s not what these prompts are about.

In this list, you’ll find prompts for Musical Writers covering research, feedback, idea generation, production planning, and marketing angles. In compiling this list, we’ve hoped to collect prompts that tap into the AI’s strengths as an auxiliary resource operating UNDER your oversight and expertise as the human creator. No lyrics, melodies, or narratives are being crowdsourced to the machines here.  (Though that might be a topic for another article!)

Before we get to the prompts, a few definitions:

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a natural language processing chatbot driven by generative AI technology.  (Translation: it’s a chatbot that can communicate with you almost like a human can — and create new text and images that it has never seen before.)  While there are many different AI chatbots and tools available online now, ChatGPT, created by OpenAI, is definitely one of the most widely known and utilized.  You can learn more and sign up for a ChatGPT account at (https://chat.openai.com/),.

If you’re not interested in signing up for an account or want to try out a few other free AI tools, here are a few more to consider:  Anthropic’s Claude (https://claude.ai/), Microsoft’s CoPilot (https://copilot.microsoft.com/), and Google’s Gemini (https://gemini.google.com/app).  All of these tools have free tiers, and some can even be used without creating new logins.

What is an AI Prompt?

A “prompt” is a set of directions that the “user” (like you) inputs to tell an AI chatbot what to do.  A prompt can be something very simple (“write a haiku about pandas”) to something more complex and detailed, providing lots of parameters and dos and don’ts for the AI to take into consideration.

In the spirit of full transparency, here is one example of a prompt I used while collaborating with an AI chatbot to write this article:

I want to write an article that contains many different ChatGPT prompts for Musical Writers to post on MusicalWriters.com. I would like the prompts to be divided into the following categories: 1) Musical Research, 2) Editing and Feedback, 3) Development and Productions, 4) Marketing and Branding. Before you start creating post suggestions, ask me some questions I can answer to help you better complete this task.

ChatGPT Prompts for Musical Writers

Customize and copy/paste these prompts into ChatGPT – or any of the other AI tools listed above. Once you get your response to the prompt, you can always ask more questions, provide feedback, or request that the AI tool take another approach.  These prompts in and of themselves are not “magic words” – they are just ideas and suggestions for different ways you can utilize AI in your writing process.

Research Prompts for Musical Writers

  1. I’m writing a musical set in [location/time period]. Can you provide an overview of the historical context, key events, cultural influences, and political climate of that era?
  2. My musical revolves around the theme of [theme – eg. immigration, social justice, family dynamics]. Please compile a list of relevant books, films, articles, and other source materials to research that topic.  If you cannot access direct URLs, please provide a list of topics or subtopics I could search.
  3. I need to ensure the [profession/hobby/interest] depicted in my musical is accurate. Can you read through the plot outline I’ve pasted below, and let me know if you spot any inaccuracies?
  4. I’m looking for musical inspiration related to [genre/artist/movement]. Can you analyze the defining characteristics, song structures, lyrical motifs and other conventions of that style?
  5. My musical involves [scientific/cultural/historical concept]. Can you explain like I’m 5 – explain that concept simply and provide user-friendly resources to learn more about it?
  6. I need help researching [specific ethnicity/religion/community] representations to ensure I avoid stereotypes and portray that group authentically and respectfully.
  7. Here’s the historical figure my musical’s main character is loosely based on: [bio details]. Can you provide key biographical facts as well as insights into their motivations, relationships and ideologies?
  8. My musical deals with the ethics and impacts of [emerging technology/scientific advancement]. Can you objectively summarize the pros, cons, and perspectives from leading expert sources?

Editing and Feedback Prompts for Musical Writers

  1. I’ve pasted a short scene from my musical’s first draft script/book below, and I would like you to provide me some feedback. Before sharing your feedback, please ask me some questions that I can answer to help you complete this task successfully.
  2. I am holding a reading of the musical I am working on, and I want to ask some specific questions for audience feedback. Can you help me create some questions I can ask in an audience talk-back?
  3. I’ve pasted the current draft of a synoptic “musical pitch” overview describing my show’s story, characters, and songs: [doc]. Please give your feedback on what’s clear vs. what needs more detail.
  4. I’ve written myself into a corner with this story twist: [context]. I can’t figure out a satisfying way to resolve or continue the plot from this point in a manner that feels coherent and impactful. Can you propose some potential storyline solutions to get the narrative back on track?
  5. For this comedic musical number, I’m trying to insert more situational humor and witty wordplay but keep getting stuck: [lyrics/excerpt]. Can you provide suggestions on funnier lyrics, lines of dialogue, or staging moments that could amp up the humor?
  6. In my musical, I have a character that starts off as [character trait], but needs to end up [transformed character trait]. A few other facts about this character: [describe character] I want this transformation to field earned and organic. Please create an outline of events or moments that could be included in this [x]-scene musical to make this change apparent and believable to the audience.
  7. I am working on a scene in my musical and I need to create a memorable line for the character of [describe character]. The situation is [describe situation]. Please create a list of possible lines this character might say that will [purpose or intention of the line].
  8. Right now I feel like the included scene in my musical is too long.  [Paste or attach the scene or a summary of plot points] Can you create a draft of this scene for me that is as short as it possibly can be, while still including what you see as the important plot and character development points?

Submissions and Development Prompts for Musical Writers

  1. I’m prepping my musical for a demo recording and need an overview of technical logistics like studio needs, pricing, musicians, etc. Can you provide tips as a first-time self-producer?
  2. For my musical submission to [festival/theatre/competition], the guidelines require a [X-word] show synopsis, character breakdown, and song list. Can you assist in creating those supplemental materials?
  3. Let’s brainstorm creative ways to raise funds and build an audience for self-producing a concert staging of my musical. What kinds of crowdfunding, corporate sponsorship, presale, and marketing ideas could we explore?
  4. I’m looking to submit my musical to [insert opportunity here]. Can you help me put together an enticing “pitch deck” summarizing: 1) high-concept premise, 2) Unique story advantages, 3) Audience/market opportunities, 4) Sample song videos or excerpts.
  5. Now that I have a draft script/libretto complete, I need to start exploring production options. Can you put together a high-level project plan covering next steps like: musical table reads, staged readings, and submissions to production opportunities.
  6. I am working on a cover letter to accompany my submission to [production opportunity]. Based on the information I’m pasting below, please help me create a brief draft of a cover letter that will emphasize the quality and unique aspects of my script.
  7. For this festival submission, I need to include a 5-page excerpt of my musical libretto.  The selection criteria and a summary of my musical’s scenes and songs are pasted below. Based on this information, please act as a coach to help me select which excerpt to include.

Marketing and Branding Prompts for Musical Writers

  1. Now that my musical is completed, I need to establish an online presence and brand as the writer.I know that some things I will need to create include a bio, a gallery page of highlights, and an “about” page exploring my musical’s themes and my artistic mission. Please ask me some questions I can answer to help you recommend platforms I can use and also create drafts of the copy for my website and social media pages.
  2. I’m trying to create a smart and shareable video for [platform] to promote my in-progress musical. Here’s the show’s basic premise: [details]. Can you script out a 60-second promotional video idea that hooks the viewer?
  3. What are some memorable and intriguing social media caption ideas for my musical about [premise]? Please generate 10 potential captions and post concepts for [social media platform] that would grab attention.
  4. I am looking for existing audiences and fan-bases I can tap into to promote my musical, [Musical Title]. Below I am pasting a synopsis of my show.  Please help me brainstorm some different groups, communities, or audiences (outside of a traditional theatre-going audience) that I might be able to tap into when marketing my show.
  5. I’m looking to get my musical, [Title] in front of regional/community/educational theaters that may be interested in producing it. Can you help draft an enticing cold outreach email that could go to artistic directors and educators? Be sure to include: a concise premise/logline for the show, key marketing highlights that make it a good fit, my relevant experience/credentials as the creator, a call-to-action to discuss further or request materials.
  6. Please generate 10-15 potential attention-grabbing taglines I could use to market my musical [Title] and its core concept of [brief description of premise/themes]. Good taglines should be short, intriguing, and make someone want to learn more.

Conclusion

While AI language models won’t be replacing human composers and writers anytime soon, the 29 prompts shared here illustrate how this technology can be an invaluable supplementary tool for musical storytellers. With these prompts, AI can help you handle all the heavy-lifting and “busywork” associated with writing musicals that get performed.  Leaving you more time and mental energy to do what you do best:  WRITE MUSICALS!