WEEK 1. ‘WE START TODAY’

This session looks at the foundations of musical theatre and explores different types of musicals: from jukebox to concept, from mega-musical to chamber musical and beyond.

We look at the component parts of a musical in more detail, and ask what is a good idea for a musical. We will look at the ‘rules’ of writing musical theatre and learn how we can break them! We will look at where to generate ideas, how to get started, and what to do when faced with a blank page.

WEEK 2. ‘WORDS, WORDS, WORDS’

In week two, we will look more closely at lyrics. We will analyse some famous musical theatre lyrics, to understand them from the inside, and see how they have been crafted to serve the character, story and setting.

We will undertake a number of creative tasks to begin writing our own lyrics, too.

wEEK 3. ‘MUSIC OF THE NIGHT’

This session looks more closely at music. Whether or not you consider yourself to have any musical ability, this session will help you to look at the function of music in a musical differently.

Whether crafting songs through music, or working alongside a composer, understanding how music in a musical works helps everyone write better.

We will look at some well-known songs and explore how the composers use their tool-kit to help us think and feel what they want us to.

Week 4. ‘THE STORY OF TONIGHT’

The most overlooked part of the musical theatre writing team, but arguably the most important, the book is an ever-changing thing. Every musical has one, even if there is no dialogue. This week we’ll learn about how important the structural foundations of a musical are, and use exercises to begin plotting and planning our own musicals, in whatever form they require.

Week 5. ‘Putting It Together’

Today we’ll look at how all the elements of the musical are combined. Where do the songs go? What needs musicalising? Should this be a scene or a song? How does it all pull together? Musical theatre is the art of collaboration – this week explores practically what that means and looks like.

WEEK 6. ‘IT’S NOT WHERE YOU START, IT’S WHERE YOU FINISH’

After six weeks, we reach our final destination. By this point, you will have a collection of writing prompts and tools to guide you as you go forward and create new musicals. We will share and discuss our future projects and re-cap our progress over the entire course!

Booking information

Please complete this short form to book your place place on ‘Making Musicals, July 28 - September 1 2020’

Shortly after clicking submit, you will receive an email welcoming you to the course, with a direct link to make payment. The welcome email can take up to 24 hours to arrive, so please don’t worry if it takes a little while.

Full joining details will be provided the week prior to the first session.

Please note: your place is not confirmed until payment has been received.

Full terms and conditions can be be found here.