Advanced Writers Lab

The Advanced Writers Lab is a peer-feedback group open to a limited number of lyricists, librettists, and composers whose work displays a high level of craft, creativity, and originality. Members meet monthly to:

• present new work in various stages of development,
• refine their craft,
• provide mutual support for career goals, and
• meet new collaborators.

Collaborations among artists working in their strongest discipline--book, music, or lyrics--are encouraged.  However, applicants may apply solo or as a team.

Successful applicants will:

• propose work that is new or still open to substantial revision,
• have had at least one public staged reading of a full-length piece to which they have contributed book, music, or lyrics, and
• ideally be familiar with musical theater history, repertoire, and songwriting technique.

The Advanced Writers Lab offers:

• 11 meetings per year, on the third Saturday of every month, September through July
• time for four teams per session to present work and receive supportive, constructive feedback from the other writers
• up to four professional singing actors per session to rehearse and present your work
• a set schedule of deadlines to encourage productivity
• a holistic orientation that integrates feedback on song, scene, and overall story arc
  
• practice in pitching and synopsis development  

To achieve the greatest benefit for the presenters, monthly attendance is expected of all Advanced Writers Lab members. Continued participation in the AWL is at the discretion of the Facilitators, who are charged with preserving the tone and standards of the group.

Yearly dues of $250 per team go toward paying the performers who workshop our material.

Apply to the AWL

Paul Giragos and Katherine Fuller in a reading of Roswitha. Music and lyrics by Kevin Bleau, book and lyrics by David Schrag. Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA, 2017.