Musical Theater Writing Seminar
ADVANCED WRITERS LAB
Please note that the structure of the Lab is changing this year. Detailed information and application instructions are provided below.Applications for the 2012-13 Advanced Writers Lab must be emailed by 11:59pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012 to admissions "at" nomti.org.
What is the Advanced Writers Lab?
NOMTI's Advanced Writers Lab is a peer-feedback group open to a limited number of experienced book-writers, composers and lyricists whose work shows an understanding of the particular demands of musical theater.
The Lab meets in Boston, typically on the third Saturday of every month, 9am - 4pm. Monthly attendance year-round is expected (August is usually omitted by mutual agreement).
For 2012-13, each monthly meeting will be divided into two sessions: Craft Lab (AWL’s skill-building program) and Project Lab (AWL’s development program).
Craft Lab is the portion of the day where members present work created in response to craft-building exercises from the previous month. The goal of the Craft Lab is to strengthen skills in all aspects of writing for musical theater, to create opportunities for members to work with new collaborators, and to give members a way to participate regularly when they are between projects.
Project Lab is the portion of the day where Lab members present scenes from stand-alone musical theater projects that have received prior approval from the Facilitators. A full explanation of the Project Lab process can be found here.
We encourage all Lab members to present in either Craft or Project Lab at least three times a year, preferably more often. Writers sign up in advance for rehearsal and presentation slots. Up to four singing actors are provided per session.
Each Lab member pays an annual fee of $250 (an installment plan is available). The fee covers the cost of hiring singing actors for the monthly Advanced Writers Lab.
Feedback in the Advanced Writers Lab
AWL exists to forward the early development of new musicals, and early development is always a delicate time. We try to maintain a safe environment where we acknowledge and celebrate each other’s accomplishments while encouraging ever higher standards of work. Feedback always begins by “stating the positives,” acknowledging what worked well in the presentation. We typically ask the artist what kind of feedback would be helpful at this stage (or the artist comes with a list of questions) and try to focus on those issues. See Feedback Guidelines here.
Continued participation in the AWL is at the discretion of the Facilitators, who are charged with preserving the tone and standards we have set in this group.
APPLYING TO THE ADVANCED WRITERS LAB 2012-13
What we are looking for
We are looking for lyricists, bookwriters and composers whose work displays a high level of craft, creativity and originality; who are familiar with musical theater history and repertoire; and who have had at least one public staged reading of a full-length piece to which they have contributed book, music, or lyrics.
How to apply
All applicants should include:
- Send an email to admissions "at" nomti.org with your name, address, telephone, and email, with the attachments described below. Please make the subject line "[Your Name] Application for AWL." If you need to send more than one email to include all attachments, please indicate (for example, "[Your Name] Application for AWL 1 of 4").
- Resume including a list of past work
- A brief description of two ideas you might like to develop as musicals. This should include:
- What existing work the musical would be based on, if any
- What the story would be about (the “spine” as you currently understand it)
- What specifically attracts you about that idea
- Why you think it would lend itself well to adaptation as a musical
- Work sample and discipline question (varies for each discipline):
Work sample for book-writers (librettists):
- One complete scene with song, up to 10 pages (even if you didn't write the song).
- One paragraph answering the question “What is the difference in your approach to musical theater writing versus playwriting?” Explain how your work sample reflects that understanding.
Work sample for lyricists :
- MP3 recordings of 2 contrasting songs for which you provided the lyrics, with lyric sheets and context.
- One paragraph answering the question “What is the difference in your approach to writing a lyric for musical theater versus writing a pop song or a poem?” Explain how your work sample reflects that understanding.
Work sample for composers:
- MP3 recordings of 2 contrasting songs for which you provided the music, with scores, lyric sheets and context.
- One paragraph answering the question “What is the difference in your approach to writing a song for musical theater versus writing a pop song, operatic aria or art song (whichever of these is most relevant to your own experience)?” Explain how your work sample reflects that understanding.
Applications for the 2012-13 Advanced Writers Lab must be emailed by 11:59pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012 to admissions "at" nomti.org.
Applications will be reviewed by the NOMTI Facilitators. If you cannot meet the application's technological requirements or have other questions, please contact admissions "at" nomti.org in advance to discuss how to send your application in an acceptable format.
If you wish to present a stand-alone work for development:It is not necessary to propose a specific work for development along with the basic application. Admission to the Lab is based on the materials listed above and allows you to present work in the Craft Lab portion of AWL. Members who are ready to develop a stand-alone musical in the Project Lab will need to submit a written proposal to the Lab Facilitators (details here). This proposal may be submitted at any time during the year by sending the required material to admissions “at” nomti.org.
