BWW Blog: Clarissa Moon - THEatre ACCELERATOR Day 1: A Look into the Development of Musicals

Can the world of musicals learn something from tech startups? Tim Kashani, who comes from both worlds, thinks so. This is the idea behind Apples and Oranges Studios' THEatre ACCELERATOR. Apples and Oranges Studios has produced Tony award-winning musicals such as AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, MEMPHIS, and HAIR.

The ACCELERATOR aims to "take the starving out of starving artist" by helping creators build sustainable revenue and brand. It combines both the analytic and creative sides of technology to create a new way of developing musicals. Apples and Oranges Studios hopes to bring about "the future of musical theater" by utilizing technology such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and advanced analytics. Their unique process overlaps creation, distribution, and audience exposure, letting audiences become part of the creative process. In fact, the first official THEatre ACCELERATOR started this past Monday! Writers and composers from around the globe submitted their shows, and six were chosen. The participants will be mentored by experts from both the tech and theater world, including Randi Zuckerberg, Van Kaplan, and Tara Smith.

Through this blog, I will be able to share some of that expertise with you, introduce you to everyone involved, and give you a behind the scenes look into a new way of developing musicals. So stay tuned!

For more information about the THEatre ACCELERATOR, visit nycoc.com/accelerator.