Best Schools to Pursue Musical Theatre Writing?

[fiyero8132]

Posted: 6/6/08 at 2:59pm

Hi BWW'ers,

Since childhood I have wanted to write musical theatre. At this point, I am considering my post-secondary options. I am hoping you can give me some advice or point me in the right direction.

I would like to do a bachelor's degree in music composition; and, ultimately, earn a master's degree at Tisch's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program (NYU).

In the meantime, my question is this: which institutions allow undergraduate students to specialize in musical theatre writing?

Based on the research I have done online, I believe that NYU's Steinhart School meets that criteria, as does the music school at Yale.

Here is a list of schools that I have considered: NYU (Steinhart), Manhattan School of Music, Columbia, The New School (Mannes), Juilliard, Yale, Boston Conservatory, University of Michigan, University of Miami, University of Southern California...

Given the above list, which schools do you think I should seriously pursue? Which should I bump off the list? More importantly- which schools are missing from my list? Any help you could give me would be much appreciated. I am prepared to do a lot of research and plan visits to as many of these institutions as is necessary. I just know I need to write musical theatre. Thanks for your time!

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 1:18am

bump...
?

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 1:34am

University of Starbucks

University of Parents' Basement


That's where most legit writers went...

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 1:42am

...yeah, that sounds about right
IMHO, NO school can take the place of determination and passion...look at Jill Santoriello! :)

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 1:44am

I know SUNY Purchase has a great program, but I don't remember if they specialize in musical theater or just dramatic writing in general.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 2:08am

I heard Werner Herzog giving a student what I thought was very good advice when asked that question:

"Just go out and DO IT."

The student asked "What if I don't know what I'm doing and I fail?"

Herzog said "I am the product of constant failure."

Having said that, I think that learning some of the basics of music theory and writing for dramatic performance is important, at least at the beginning, but at some point you need to put the books down, get on the horse and take the reins. To get those basics there are a number of schools, it doesn't need to be one of the glamourous schools populated with trust fund babies.
Updated On: 6/7/08 at 02:08 AM

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 2:49am

Wow, KrissySim...that last paragraph was pretty powerful and on the money... ;D

[fiyero8132]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 2:38pm

NYC_or_Bust, that was so uncalled for.....

Everyone else, thanks for your input.
I agree with what you are saying. However, I hope you can understand why I would want to select a school that offers training in the specific field I am interested in. A general music composition, though very valuable to me, is quite broad. I am confident enough to write musical theatre with my own skillset, but isn't it valid to want to get as much education as possible in the area of one's interest?

If you can give me any more info, it would be much appreciated.

[Ryan4]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 3:49pm

I'm of the opinion that's it not such a good idea to specialize in something so narrow as musical theater writing as an undergrad. Your undergrad experience should be like a 4-year hiatus, a vacation from the professional world in which you get to learn about art, literature, history. That more than anything else will make you a better writer. This goes for actors too.

If at the end of that time you are still committed to your dream, then go for it. Do a grad program in musical theater writing. (NYU is probably the best one, and being in New York for that sort of training is invaluable). Consider also maybe working in the industry in some capacity between undergrad and grad school - I've seen people burn out easily, or fail to make the most of their grad school training b/c they are just sick of school.

But for now, choose a college that connects with you. A place that stimulates your imagination, your desire to discover. Continue your passion by minoring in theater or working in student or department productions. I know you feel like you know what you want and you want to do it right now, but trust me, you'll do yourself a favor if you do it this way.

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 4:05pm

Based on recent success:
Yale
Univ. of Mich.

At Michigan I don't think there is a major, but William Bolcom knows the field and plenty of opportunities for aggressive undergrad to get pieces performed.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 4:13pm

Not Columbia. Save your money and go elsewhere in hopes of retaining your love for music.

[actormcfamous]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:05pm

Regarding University of Michigan - there is no musical theateer composition major, although I've got a friend (who wants to write for musical theater) who is in their music composition program and thinks it's fantastic. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the most noteworthy MT songwriters/lyricists to come out of UM, were part of the BFA Musical Theater program and graduated in 2007, and Nick Blaemire (of the belated Glory Days) was a 2006 MT. They took the standard MT performance classes but supplemented them with more music theory and composition classes on top of that.

[fiyero8132]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:52pm

UMich - tres interessant.

That sounds like something I would be interested in exploring.

[SheepyFuzz]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 7:28pm

Belmont University in Nashville, TN has a VERY strong music program. It's a small school with a great reputation for all types of music.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:32pm

Definitely consider University of Michigan.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:26pm

Ryan4 - you scared the crap outta me! I just saw the avatar and not the username and I thought someone hijacked me account!!

[fiyero8132]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 11:40pm

Michigan sounds great. Can anyone offer any information about Steinhart at NYU?

[roquat]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 11:53pm

Write a musical and get it workshopped somewhere (even if only at a college or high school). The process of actually working on a new piece with actors and a director (at whatever experience levels) and incorporating their energy and input into your production will rack every last nerve in your body...and teach you far more than any academic course will. And if you don't have the stomach for it, you will never, ever survive as a musical theatre writer.

[rgaywrites]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 1:25am

I can vouch for Yale. I learned a lot there, not by majoring in theatre, but by busting my ass in Dramat and working college shows. There are so many opportunities to do absolutely anything theatre related. Having said that, I strongly urge you to major in something broader. The best writing comes from experience. You can learn the technical stuff any time, any where. Its great to know what you want to do and to love what you want to do, but a degree in musical theatre writing will not sustain you just out of college and such a degree won't give you the experience I think you might be looking for. In sum, go to school, start writing, keep living, start getting your work out there, and develop a VERY tough skin.

[fiyero8132]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 1:29am

Thanks everyone. This advice is invaluable to me. I will be getting a BMUS in composition; but I am equally interested in pursuing English/drama/history. It is all worthwhile education. Cross your fingers for me - hopefully I'll have a show on the great white way sometime in the not so distant future.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 11:08am

suny purchase is supposed to have an excellent playwrighting program but like someone said I don't think it's musical theater. But dont' forget MANY schools let you create your own major or allow dual majors so you could major in playwrighting and composition for example.

Also remember if you want to ne a playwright, it's important to have a very broad education, pick up a minor that interests you that has NOTHING to do with theatre or music, because when you start writing plays, what are they going to be about? Playwrighting?

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 6/10/08 at 11:53am

I see you haven't mentioned Northwestern.

If I may advertise my own school... It's not only got a fantastic music theatre program (for you to use all the talented individuals who are in it for your work), but it's got a top-notch music school and, from what I can tell, a really great Music Composition major. I don't know to much about the music school, but as far as theatre goes, there are student groups devoted entirely to writing your own plays, and then there's the Waa-Mu Show -- it's a tradition every year, with a new theme each year, where student writers put together an entire show from scratch. They write sketches, they write songs, and put the two together in an entirely professional-directed and -designed show. It's one of the most rewarding experiences a young writer can feel, to see his or her work be performed on a scale like that.

I implore you to look into Northwestern. You'll completely fit in being a Music Comp and English/Drama/History major. Most people double, and you sound like you'd fit in perfectly.

[petso18]

Posted: 6/23/08 at 7:48pm

Princeton's arts programs are horribly underrated. I'm a director, music director, composer, performer, and everywhere I feel very supported by the great program and the fabulous talent. Again, no specific musical theatre writing program, but zillions of great opportunities, and I have two friends writing a musical for their thesis (lots of independent work here - you get to write for credit!). And like Waa-Mu at Northwestern, we have the Triangle Club, which puts on a comedy musical in a Broadway-sized theatre and goes on tour every year. Definitely look into it - also lots of great performers willing to do your shows.

[russianbabydol]

Posted: 5/26/10 at 4:20pm

Oh man. I remember four years ago.
I was about to graduate from Interlochen Arts Academy. A music composition major. At that point in my life, all I wanted to be when I grew up was Sondheim or Andrew Lloyd Webber or better yet, Boublil & Schonberg.
I, too, was OBSESSED with musical theatre writing (book, music, lyrics, orchestrations). At Interlochen, my private teacher did whatever he could to derail me from this obsession. They did not consider musical theatre "real music". It had "melodies", something that is unfortunately frowned upon in most composition departments today. So when it came time to apply to college, I got worried. Would all music departments be like that? Was there a department somewhere that encouraged more 'popular' writing? Instead of atonal string quartets?

Eventually, I decided I should apply to a school with a strong theatre department. That way I could write scores for their straight plays and use the acting/singing talent to workshop things after hours :) This was a good idea. But as soon as I got to Carnegie Mellon, I realized that wasn't gonna be enough for me.

After one semester as a music composition major at CMU, I had it. The dramatic writer/director in me swallowed the composer. I applied to Carnegie Mellon's BFA directing program and got in as one of six.

It was the best decision I ever made.

Studying drama is the only way to learn 'what is dramatic'. If you know WHAT is dramatic, what is effective, then you will slowly but surely learn how to create what is effective.

Now this all depends on your interest in the musical theatre world. Are you more of a composer? More of a storyteller?

Overall, I recommend applying to theatre programs and taking as many acting/directing classes as possible. That's the only way to learn how to write for the theatre.

Currently, I am still a student at Carnegie Mellon. A junior. I'm about to direct my first NY fringe show and I've already had a play produced in NYC and a lot of other projects in the works. So hey, it seems to be working for me :)

Email me @ [e-mail] if you want to talk about this further. I'd love to give you more advice.

And good luck!

~olivia



What is your favorite aspect of writing musicals? Is it the music itself? The lyrics? The script? Are you torn between any of the three?