TRU to Host 'How to Write a Musical that Works! Part 3: Reckoning & Resolution,' 7/16

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents How to Write a Musical That Works! on Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 10 am - 5:30 pm, at NOLA Studios 250 W. 54th St., 11th Fl., NYC, NY. Deadline to apply is June 29th. For application and guidelines visit http://truonline.org/events/hwm3/.

How to Write a Musical That Works! is a 3-part workshop dedicated to fostering a conversation about musical theater structure not only for writers but also for producers, directors and everyone involved in the creation and production of new works. "Part 3: Reckoning and Resolution" will focus on the last scenes of a musical and how songs help resolve the story and the characters' journeys. Up to ten teams will present a song and scene from their shows to a professional panel of commercial producers, directors and writers, including Ryan Bogner (VP of creative development for Stageworks Media, former director of creative development and production for RKO Stage Productions), Ken Cerniglia (dramaturg and literary manager of Disney Theatrical), Skip Kennon (composer/lyricist of Herringbone, Don Juan DeMarco, Time and Again, former artistic coordinator of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and teacher for two decades), Tom Polum (producer ofThe Toxic Avenger, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, All Shook Up). Bob Ost, executive director of Theater Resources Unlimited, and TRU Literary Manager Cate Cammarata will facilitate.

This workshop will focus on three main aspects of a show: 1) songs that express the resolution of a character's "want," or the overcoming of obstacles, and how it leads to a final choice; 2) "eleven o'clock numbers," the big dramatic show stopper that sums up the (usually) main character's journey; 3) the finale, an effective and emotionally satisfying way of concluding your story. Discussion will include the function of songs, with special attention paid to the way they move the action. In addition, the workshop will explore the delicate balance between script and song.

Writers (or producers!) are invited to submit no more than 25 pages of a show you are working on. We want to see the last section of your show in which we head towards the summing up and conclusion of the plot and the resolution of the characters' wants. Include MP3s of the songs within only those pages. Also send a concise synopsis of the preceding action of the show, and how it leads to the resolution in the section presented.

Submission deadline: Wednesday, June 29th. Download the Application, fill it out, and email to TRUStaff1@gmail.com to sign up. This workshop is scheduled to run from 10am to 5:30pm with a lunch break, and brief end-of-day reception. Submission fee is $10 for TRU members, $20 for non-members. If accepted, it will be applied to a participation fee of $100 ($80 for TRU members). Prices are discounted for those who have taken previous parts of this workshop.

Observers are welcome. The cost for non-participants to attend for the full day, to observe the presentations and be part of the discussions, is $50 ($30 for TRU members).

If accepted, participants will present 10-15 minutes including one song and scene, followed by about 15 minutes of feedback. Participation feeincludes 2 seats for the entire day workshop as well as your presentation slot. Because space is limited, any additional attendees from the musical team (including music director, additional collaborators and cast members) who wish to observe the entire workshop must reserve in advance and will be charged a nominal $20 per person.