Songwriters Announced For New Original Hip-Hop Musical BUMP IT!

A fresh new team of creatives step up to the limelight for bringing a completely brand new stage production!

'Bump It!', a new original musical inspired by true stories written by book writer Christopher D. Robinson will begin a series of workshops in Orlando, FL and New York, NY throughout the 2018 year consisting of dance workshops, script reads and vocal workshops for both cities to also include a concept album release in fall of 2018 following a short documentary on the creative process. TONY, GRAMMY and EMMY award winner Andrés Forero of Broadway's ' In the Heights ', ' Bring It On!' , and ' Hamilton ' will join the team of writers as Producer and Music Supervisor along with CEO/Producer and founder of Magna Verum Productions Hector Sanchez, Jr. for the 2018 workshop edition.

" 'Bump It!' exists in the same world as the well-known films 'Step Up', 'Bring It On!' and 'Stomp the Yard' (to name a few). The fun thing about this story being done as a stage production is that we have the advantage of serving a deeper story with an approximate two-hour length musical aside from just featuring mostly the competitive side. People have their own individual battles to face in our everyday world. This story will allow audiences to see that perspective through the various characters." says book/story writer Christopher D. Robinson.

The Story:

After his grandmother's death, a young passionate performer (Jordan) moves back to his hometown in Brooklyn, NY to reunite with his mother whom he hasn't seen or had communication with for over five years. During his first week of moving back, he meets a group of people who share his passion for performing at the local run-down Recreation Center owned by Mr. Bobby Jones who is a man that believes in keeping the youth off the streets. With that belief, he devoted his life to opening this facility in his neighborhood for providing a positive and safe place for creativity. Reilly, a local Hip-Hop instructor and Aubrey, leader of her university's step crew bring their team of street dancers and steppers together to form a new crew after a sour reunion with ex-friend of Reilly (Tyreke) who throws down a bet that Reilly and his crew of street dancers who lack the fundamentals of teamwork could never defeat Tyreke's all-star group of b-boy dancers at the citywide competition. Reilly soon finds himself in the middle of crucial life decisions as he continues helping lead his crew to victory.

Robinson adds, "This is a story that definitely needs to be told countless of times as many situations contained in this story are experiences all of us of all ages face on a daily basis in some form of way. One occurrence that really struck a chord with me was hearing of arts funding being stripped away in the U.S. because it was considered a "waste of the government's budget". To my surprise, my second draft for the story of 'Bump It' I completed in the early months of 2016, contained a very similar situation, so, I ran with it and pondered on the idea even more which helped connect the dots to a number of unsolved parts of the story. The characters in this story have so much heart and learn a bundle of important values to take with them in their future lives. I can only hope that this project will touch the hearts and souls of theatregoers who have the opportunity of expiring this exciting production, from the intense music, vocals and choreography that this production demands, 'Bump It!' it's own unique show unlike your average musical theatre production, as we creatives strived for giving this new musical a different perspective to help continue bringing in more new patrons to experience "art becoming a reality, one dream at a time!"

The creative team of songwriters includes all newcomers producing impressive scores bound for giving future theatergoers and hip-hop lovers one thrilling theatrical experience! The list of songwriters includes Daniel Padillo (Music, Lyrics), Ashley Page (Music), Joseph Adam Gonzalez (Lyrics, Script Supervision), Mexeita Rodney (Lyrics), Ismael Castillo (Lyrics, Associate Script Supervisor) and Christopher Robinson (Book, Story, Music, Lyrics). An original concept cast recording will be released in the summer of 2018 engineered by Grammy Nominated producer Beau Vallis (Kelly Rowland, Beyonce, Future, Pharrell) with Music Supervision by Andrés Forero and Christopher Robinson.

Robinson states, "Andrés has been one of my biggest inspirations for over six years. It is such an honor to be working aside with him on this dream show of mine that I have been developing since 2011. 'Bring It On!' and 'In The Heights' both served as inspiration for wanting to write my own original contemporary musical ever since."

Forero adds, "I was drawn to working with Chris from a few years back when we met while I was doing 'Bring It On!', The Musical. Chris has an incredible work ethic and a wonderful creativity that is infectious. I'm so excited to see what he can bring to the stage with his creation and it's an honor to work by side in the development of this musical. My duties for 'BUMP IT' are to help as much as I can with musical input, storyline, and put in the basic formation of the plot and the script. I also have the pleasure of co-creating some music with Chris and some of the other wonderful composers."

It is not every day an individual has the opportunity for working alongside with one of their biggest inspirations. Forero gives his thoughts on himself and Robinson coming together for developing this dream show. "I admire Chris and am very excited to see where 'BUMP IT' goes. It's been a wonderful ride since 'Bring It On!'. Chris has been very supportive of my career and not only as a musical peer but, a dear friend."

Aside from the show being embodied primarily by Hip-Hop musical elements, the show's score also includes other musical genres from Gospel, Pop, Rock, Classical and much more all fused into one solid score of sounds to accompany the story.

Some of the artists that have inspired a handful of the music in 'Bump It' include: TLC, Logic, Will Smith, Montell Jordan, Naughty By Nature, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Destiny's Child, Missy, Elliot, Salt-N-Pepa, Jill Scott, Eminem, Luther Vandross, Tupac, Boys II Men, Snoop Dog, Mary J. Blidge, M.C. Lyte, Xscape, Chance the Rapper, Betty Wright, Alicia Keys, Outkast, L.M.F.A.O, Ariana Grande, Kirk Franklin, Michael Jackson, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Usher, Blackstreet, Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, R-Kelly, Quad City, Sir Mix A Lot, Coolio, SWV, Queen Latifa, Kriss Kross, D.J. Kool and many more!

Beginning March 2018, a series of five workshops will take place through August 2018 starting up in Orlando, FL and make its completion in New York, NY. The workshop edition will consist of individual sessions providing full focus on each element of the production from script readings, choreography and vocal sessions followed by its concept album release as well as a mini-documentary highlighting the project's journey of creativity with all of its talented collaborators and creatives. The team of choreographers taking the floor during the Orlando, FL dance workshop helping to create the production's movement to the scores are Percy Nelson ('MSA Talent Agency', 'Hip-hop International', 'MTV') and Noel Areizaga ('America's Best Dance Crew', 'Bring It On!' In it to Win it, 2007 film).

Nelson elaborates on his excitement for working on this new project: "Not only do I look forward to driving the project's movement element, but I also look forward to bringing the true essence of Hip-Hop to 'Bump It' through movement. Staying true to the culture. I believe Hip-Hop to be one of the most vibrant and cultural arts you'll ever come across, and I fully intend to stay true to that. Dance is a universal language that transcends cultures and brings people of all nations together as one. I am eternally grateful I was chosen to play a role in making that happen through this project."

Areizaga adds "I look forward to bring my personality to the redevelopment of bump it. Through my dance and character. My passion is who I am in life. Dance. You know like, when your hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you listen to great music?"

Director, Jeffery Miller has been a long appreciator of the project 'Bump It!' ever since he first heard of its early development. "It is a blessing and a dream come true- I am looking forward to telling a powerful story through a different kind of lens, one where all styles of music and dance can be shared with all people. Where every audience member can connect with our story because they too had dreams and were inspired by the people and things around them. But, most importantly to let people who grew up in broken homes or became adults early that their dreams, aspirations, and desires can happen even though life has knocked them down more than once. Bump It is a story about hope and fighting for what you want. I am lucky to be apart of such a powerful story and I cannot wait to share it with the world."

More details for the workshop edition are available on the Magna Verum Productions Facebook page for all casting call information and updates.

Read more about THE SONGWRITERS and PRODUCERS of BUMP IT and how to support the project HERE! Additional team members to be announced later in the year.

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