Theater Resources Unlimited to Host 'How to Write a Musical That Works, Part 2' Workshop

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents How to Write a Musical That Works, Part Two: Conflict & Obstacles.

This workshop is 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. Up to 10 writers or teams will present a song and scene from a new musical.

Submission fee for presenters is $10 for members, $20 for non-members; if accepted, it will be applied to a participation fee of $100 ($80 for TRU members). 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).

The application deadline (extended) is Friday, February 19, 2016 and the application can be downloaded here. E-mail completed applications to TRUPlaySubmissions@gmail.com.

The professional panel of commercial producers, directors and writers will include:

• Ken Cerniglia, Dramaturg and Literary Manager at Disney Theatrical Productions (Aladdin, Hunchback, Newsies, Little Mermaid);
• Nancy Golladay, literary consultant (NY Shakespeare Festival, O'Neill Conference, more), moderator of the BMI Librettists' Workshop; producer;
• Tom Polum, producer (The Toxic Avenger, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, All Shook Up);
• Skip Kennon, composer/lyricist (Herringbone, Don Juan DeMarco, Time and Again), former Artistic Coordinator of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and teacher for two decades.

Bob Ost, executive director of Theater Resources Unlimited, and TRU Literary Manager Cate Cammarata will facilitate. Writers (or producers!) are invited to submit no more than 25 pages of a show you are working on. We want to see the section of your show in which conflict and obstacles arise - the plot complications - plus MP3s of the songs within only those pages. Also send a concise synopsis of the opening in which you introduce the world of your show, and the want of your characters and how it prepares us for the conflict in the section presented.
In the workshop we will focus on three main aspects:

1) Songs that express differing points of view, or conflict;

2) "Turnaround Songs" in which a character changes his course of action;

3) The climactic moment (sometimes the first act finale) that drives us forward into the resolution (note: "resolution" will be in workshop #3).

We will discuss "I am" songs and "I feel" songs, and the function of each, with special attention paid to the way they move the action. In addition, we will continually explore the delicate balance between script and song.

**If accepted for presentation of 10-15 minutes including one song and scene, plus feedback, there will be a participation fee of $100 ($80 for TRU members), which includes 2 seats for the entire day workshop as well as your presentation slot. 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 $20 per person.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is a twenty-four year old 501c3 nonprofit organization created to help producers produce, emerging theater companies to emerge healthily and all theater professionals to understand and navigate the business of theater. Membership includes self-producing artists as well as career producers and theater companies.

TRU publishes an email community newsletter of services, goods and productions; presents the TRU VOICES Annual New Play Reading Series and Annual New Musicals Reading Series, two new works series in which TRU underwrites developmental readings to nurture new shows as well as new producers for theater; TRU offers a Producer Development & Mentorship Program whose mentors are among the most prominent producers and general managers in New York Theater, and also presents Producer Boot Camp workshops to help aspirants develop the business skills they need. TRU serves writers through a Writer-Producer Speed Date, a Practical Playwriting Workshop and a Director-Writer Communications Lab; programs for actors include the Annual Combined Audition and quarterly Resource Nights and "Speed Dating" as well as free actor workshops.
Programs of Theater Resources Unlimited are supported in part by public funds awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NY State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, 9th district Council Member Inez Dickens; and with support from the Montage Foundation and the Friars National Association Foundation.
For more information about TRU membership and programs, visit www.truonline.org or call (212) 714-7628.