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Creating the Musical

The Creating the Musical Module invites students to dive into the art and craft of writing for the musical stage—from creating lyrics, songs, and book (the term for a musical play script), to composition and musical dramaturgy, all grounded in the power of collaboration. Students learn not only how to build a song or structure a show, but how to cultivate the creative partnerships that make musical theatre thrive.

Students explore a wide spectrum of creative disciplines—book writing, lyric writing, composition and songwriting, musicianship, arranging, orchestration, dramaturgy, and the study of music theatre history and styles—all taught through a collaborative, hands-on lens. Each student shapes their own artistic path, discovering how storytelling, musical language, and performance intersect in the creation of new work.

The module provides a focused curriculum in music theatre writing and collaboration that builds on Northwestern’s wealth of student-driven opportunities to create new musicals—The Waa-Mu Show and The Mee-Ow Show among them—which offer a variety of practicum and production experiences.

Beyond the classroom, students have access to a range of co-curricular opportunities that connect them to the professional world of new musical development. Northwestern’s The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP), the Music Theatre faculty, and related programs regularly host master classes, workshops, and residencies that allow students to observe or participate in the making of new musicals in real time. Students are also encouraged to pursue internships and other learning opportunities in Chicago and beyond.

The module culminates in the creation of a portfolio of musical theatre writing that showcases students’ skills as writers, composers, collaborators, and future leaders in the field.

Learning Objectives

  •  Analyze historical practices and forms in music theatre book writing, lyric writing, orchestration, and composition through discussion and interpretation of selected works.
  • Demonstrate foundational skills in book writing, lyric writing, and/or music composition by making deliberate creative choices that reflect an emerging artistic point of view.
  • Interpret music theatre works through critical analysis and collaborative discussion.
  • Develop and employ a writing practice that is anchored in a responsive creative process.
  • Curate a portfolio that reflects artistic growth and prepares students for professional new musical development or graduate study.

Courses

Creating the Musical Course Requirements

Co-Curriculars

All students are required to participate in a new play development experience, on or off campus. They may participate in any number of ways (e.g., writer, director, music director, composer, choreographer, actor, producer, designer, etc.). Activities that may satisfy this requirement include but are not limited to:

  • The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP)
  • The Waa-Mu Show
  • The Agnes Nixon Playwriting Festival
  • An independent studio project or StuCo production of a new original work
  • The Mee-Ow Show
  • An internship or assistantship at a professional theatre working on a new musical

Capstone

The Creating the Musical capstone project is a mentored process resulting in a final portfolio which includes a full draft of an original one-act musical and/or a collection of short-form music theatre writing pieces. This process culminates in a final presentation where students will share their original musical theatre writing with a panel of industry professionals and NU faculty. The final submission will consist of a fully revised draft of all materials and demos of the songs, as well as a capstone paper reflecting on the creative portfolio and articulating artist values and creative goals.

 

Sponsoring Department: Theatre 

Module Coordinator: Masi Asare and Ryan T. Nelson

Instructional Committee: Amanda Dehnert, Alexander Gemignani, David Chavannes, KO

Module Advisor: Aaron Godwin

How to Enroll 

This module is open to all NU undergraduates.

The application process closes on the last day of spring quarter classes of the student’s sophomore year, and after the completion of the prerequisite course(s). The application should include a short (300 words) description of a musical you intend to create as a capstone project and a sample of the applicant’s writing by submitting one of the following: 

  1. A song composition, with a piano/vocal score and a demo. 
  2. A complete song lyric, with a scene that leads into the song (5-10 pages).

Grade Policy

Students must achieve a GPA of B- (2.7) or higher in courses counted toward the module to be eligible to submit a Capstone. Courses to be counted toward fulfilling module requirements may not be taken P/N with the exception of CMN capstone courses.