SESSIONS / sesh-uhnz / ~ n. a chance for GMTWP alumni and current students to share, play, conference, unconference,
connect and reconnect with classmates, faculty, possible collaborators and new friends from other cycles.
Think of it as a mini learning vacation. A chance to go back to GMTWP. An opportunity for some creative stimulation and geeking out about musical theatre for an entire weekend.
An event-filled reunion to reconnect with one another. A time to learn from each other and engage in conversations with peers about the latest trends in many areas ranging from
writing tips, tricks and techniques to entrepreneurship.
The goal is to give everyone a chance to learn from each other and to end up feeling less isolated, more creatively engaged and ahead of the curve. To offer our community a
chance to feel more open, hopeful and excited about how the future could look—a few hours to think about opportunities instead of obstacles and a spark of renewal for our
sense of possibility that we can save the world, our industry, our careers and basic sanity.
The format will be sharing ideas, skills and passions in small informal groups. Event gatherings will give everyone an opportunity to celebrate our past (and present) experiences
together. The structure of the weekend will be responsive and supportive to the group participating. Presentations and discussions will form in response to your interests. We’re
hoping that the experience will generate ideas and broaden your network/community.
All that’s required is time to spend with us and a generous attitude towards sharing what you know with each other.
SPECIAL EVENTS (see page 5 for event descriptions)
EVENT
OPENING POTLUCK / WELCOME
OPEN MIC
SONGWRITING PLAYDATE FOR CHILDREN
PECHAKUCHA 15x20: FIND AND MEET NEW COLLABORATORS
LONDON ROAD SING/STUMBLE THRU WITH WINE
AND SPEAKING OF WRITING FOR THE VOICE: AN EVENING WITH
BROADWAY’S CATHERINE WALKER & STEVEN LUTVAK
“BACK TO LAB” – LAB FOR GMTWP ALUMS (MORNING SESSION)
“BACK TO LAB” – LAB FOR GMTWP ALUMS (AFTERNOON SESSION)
COMMUNITY BROWN BAG LUNCH: “ART ACTIVISM IN A TIME OF TRUMP”
ROOM
ALL LARGE ROOMS
BLACK BOX
SEMINAR
BLUE ROOM
BLUE ROOM
BLACK BOX
FRI, MAR 24 SAT, MAR 25
SUN, MAR 26
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
CONFERENCE (#276)
BLUE ROOM
BLACK BOX
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
SESSIONS
“TIPS, TRICKS & TECHNIQUES FOR COMPOSERS” (see page 5 for event descriptions)
SESSION
WRITING FOR THE VOICE, or SHAPING A MELODY (AND IS THERE REALLY A DIFFERENCE?)
WRITING FOR GUITAR
THE SECRET BEHIND II-V-I (AN INTRO TO JAZZ HARMONY)
SIBELIUS TRICKS
POP SONGWRITING & RECORDING
ROOM FRI, MAR 24
BLACK BOX 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
BLACK BOX
BLACK BOX
SEMINAR
BLACK BOX
SAT, MAR 25
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
“TIPS, TRICKS & TECHNIQUES FOR WORDSMITHS” (see page 5 for event descriptions)
SESSION
MYTH-BASED STORYTELLING
WRITING VIVID CHARACTERS
GETTING OUT OF YOUR HEAD & ON TO THE PAGE: BOOKWRITING WORKSHOP
ROOM
BLUE ROOM
BLUE ROOM
BLUE ROOM
SAT, MAR 25
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
11:30 AM-12:45 PM
1:00 PM-2:00 PM
“CHILDREN & ART” (see page 5 for event descriptions)
SESSION
SONGWRITING PLAYDATE FOR CHILDREN (SEE SPECIAL EVENTS)
PANEL: CREATING THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
PANEL: WORKING AS A TEACHING ARTIST
ROOM
BLACK BOX
BLACK BOX
BLUE ROOM
SAT, MAR 25
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
2:00 PM-3:00 PM
“BEYOND MUSICAL THEATRE WRITING” (see page 5 for event descriptions)
SESSION
PODCASTING THEATRICALLY
THE INS AND OUTS OF RUNNING YOUR OWN NON-PROFIT THEATRE COMPANY
WRITING & COMPOSING FOR TELEVISION
BOOKWRITING TO WRITING BOOKS: BREAKING INTO PUBLISHING FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
SESSION
ROUND TABLE: MUSICAL THEATRE JOURNALISM
ROOM
SEMINAR
SEMINAR
BLACK BOX
SEMINAR
ROOM
BLUE ROOM
SAT, MAR 25
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
SUN, MAR 26
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
“THE BIZ” (see page 5 for event descriptions)
SESSION
PANEL: HOW TO MAKE A LIFE AS A COMPOSER & A MUSICAL DIRECTOR
CREATING A CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN
D.I.Y. MARKETING
RELEASING AN ALBUM ON iTUNES
ASSISTING A GIANT
PRODUCING WORK AT FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS
LICENSING YOUR MUSIC FOR OPERA, DANCE & MISCELLANEOUS THEATRICAL USES
ROOM
BLUE ROOM
BLACK BOX
SEMINAR
BLACK BOX
SEMINAR
SEMINAR
SEMINAR
SUN, MAR 26
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
“ART & POLITICS” (see page 5 for event descriptions)
SESSION
ROOM SAT, MAR 25
COMMUNITY BROWN BAG LUNCH DISCUSSION: ART ACTIVISM IN A TIME OF TRUMP (SEE SPECIAL EVENTS) BLACK BOX 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
PANEL: WOMEN COMPOSERS
BLACK BOX 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
TO ENROLL IN A SESSION / RSVP TO AN EVENT:
Visit www.tisch.nyu.edu/grad-musical-theatre-writing/alumni/sessions-2017
“TIPS, TRICKS & TECHNIQUES FOR
COMPOSERS” (Friday & Saturday)
WRITING FOR THE VOICE, OR SHAPING A MELODY (AND IS
THERE REALLY A DIFFERENCE?)
Using examples from the literature of classic Broadway songs, we’ll look at some
of the great melodies, and talk about how they sit in the voice — and how writing
well for the voice can help you find, and shape, beautiful melodies.
Led by Steven Lutvak – Cycle 1
FRIDAY, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
WRITING FOR GUITAR
The guitar is a different beast from the piano. Learn how to successfully write for
this instrument – dos and don’ts, strengths and weaknesses.
Led by Gaby Alter (Cycle 15)
SATURDAY, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
THE SECRET BEHIND II-V-I:
AN INTRO TO JAZZ HARMONY
Come learn the basics of Jazz harmony for non-jazz music people.
Led by Bo Ram Han – Cycle 25
SATURDAY, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
SIBELIUS TRICKS
Advanced tips and tricks to make your writing faster.
Led by Casey O’Neil – Cycle 24
SATURDAY, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
SEMINAR ROOM (Room #278)
POP SONGWRITING & RECORDING
Discuss specifics of the pop writing process: form & structure; writing in the
studio; writing with collaborators, artists & producers. Learn the language of pop
vs. the language of theatre – both musically and lyrically. Discuss business
aspects such as the involvement of publishers, administrators, ASCAP and
approaches to pitching.
Led by Stephanie Salzman (Cycle 3)
SATURDAY, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
“TIPS, TRICKS & TECHNIQUES FOR
WORDSMITHS” (Saturday)
MYTH-BASED STORYTELLING
Let Gawain, Thor, Daedalus, Snow White, Tristan, Aesop and Joseph show you
how to use history’s oldest form of storytelling to make your writing not only
universal, but timeless.
Led by Heidi Heilig (Cycle 15)
SATURDAY, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
WRITING VIVID CHARACTERS
Come do some on-the-spot writing in this session on creating memorable,
original characters. Using images and the principles of haiku, you’ll leave with a
few more tools to help you flesh out your protagonists.
Led by Sarah Hammond (Cycle 23)
SATURDAY, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
GETTING OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND ONTO THE PAGE:
BOOKWRITING WORKSHOP
At the center of everything we call 'the arts' and children call 'play,' is
something which seems somehow alive." - Lynda Barry
Inspired by cartoonist, Lynda Barry's Writing the Unthinkable, Claire has
adapted exercises for musical theater bookwriters and playwrights to help you
quickly draft detailed scenes. This workshop will help you stop overthinking and
get your ideas on to the page in time to meet your writing deadlines. This will be
a hands-on workshop, so bring your notebook and pen.
Led by Claire Tran (Cycle 22)
SATURDAY, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
“CHILDREN & ART” (Saturday)
SPECIAL EVENT: SONGWRITING PLAYDATE FOR CHILDREN
Calling all children of alums! Come and play at a very special event specifically
tailored for children to learn the exciting craft of simple song making. Led by
alums who work professionally with children, your kids are sure to have a
wonderful time. Parents are welcome, too!
Jonathan Fadner (Cycle 24)
SATURDAY, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SEMINAR ROOM (Room #278)
“CHILDREN & ART” continued (Saturday)
PANEL: CREATING THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
Come listen, discuss and explore the business and craft of creating exciting new
theatre pieces for younger audiences. Led by a panel of alums who have had a
wealth of experience writing for this demographic.
Led by Sarah Hammond (Cycle 23), Will Aronson (Cycle 16), Jacob Yandura (Cycle
22) & David Mallamud (Cycle 13)
SATURDAY, 12:30 – 2:00 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
PANEL: WORKING AS A TEACHING ARTIST
Surviving as an artist in one of the most expensive cities in the world can be a
challenge. Learn how to use your artistic skills and passion to inspire children of
various ages. Led by a panel of GMTWP alums who are currently working as
teaching artists, discuss the ins and outs of this unique occupation which both
inspires and pays the rent.
Led by Brandon Anderson (Cycle 17), Leah Miles (Cycle 19), Daniel Levy (Cycle 5)
& Jonathan Fadner (Cycle 24)
SATURDAY, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
“BEYOND MUSICAL THEATRE” (Saturday)
PODCASTING THEATRICALLY
Podcasting is a great (and free) means to get your name and your work to a
wider audience. Join me as I talk about why I started my own podcast in 2013,
what motivates me to keep doing it, and how you can start yours!
Led by Joel B. New (Cycle 15)
SATURDAY, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
SEMINAR ROOM (Room #278)
ROUND TABLE: MUSICAL THEATRE JOURNALISM
This round table brings together alums who, along with their musical theater
writing, also do theater journalism or who have written blog posts on musical
theater topics. I believe that it's important for musical theater writers to be
writing about our form and our community out in the world, but sometimes being
both an artist and writing about art comes with questions and conflicts. This
round table will bring writers together to talk about these issues, as well as serve
as an introduction to those who want to start writing arts journalism/blogs. Some
topics we'll cover: the role of theater journalism in activism--what gets covered
and what perspectives are being heard, building a career vs. writing occasional
blogs, and balancing writing both journalism and musicals--and how they can
help each other.
Led by Shoshana Greenberg (Cycle 16), EllaRose Chary (Cycle 19) & Marcus Scott
(Cycle 22)
SUNDAY, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
THE INS AND OUTS OF RUNNING YOUR OWN NON-PROFIT
THEATRE COMPANY
Led by Rachel Kunstadt, co-founder and artistic director of LezCab, a five-year
old non-profit theatre company. Whether you're interested in running your own
non-profit or you're just curious to know how it's done, learn the ins and outs.
Topics will include:
-getting non-profit status: fiscal sponsorship vs 501c3
-writing a mission statement
-assembling an executive board and hiring staff
-raising money: individual donations and grants
-balancing artistic direction & producing with writing and paying rent
-building community and making a difference
Led by Rachel Kundstadt (Cycle 24)
SATURDAY, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
SEMINAR ROOM (Room #278)
WRITING & COMPOSING FOR TELEVISION
Laura is a staff writer who writes scripts and lyrics for Butterbean's Café, an
animated show on Nickelodeon Jr. Salomon writes incidental score and songs for
Telemundo. Incidentally, they were also thesis collaborators! They'll tell you how
they got their TV jobs, what they entail, and what it's like balancing a job in TV
with writing musicals.
Led by Laura Kleinbaum & Salomon Lerner (Cycle 21)
SATURDAY, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
BOOKWRITING TO WRITING BOOKS: BREAKING INTO
PUBLISHING FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
Are you interesting in moving from writing book and lyrics to writing a book? Heidi
Heilig (Cycle 15) will talk about how she broke into publishing, including how
musical theatre writing helped her to write a popular YA novel published by
HarperCollins. She’ll talk about querying, getting an agent, working with an editor
as a collaborator, and other experiences in publishing.
Led by Heidi Heilig (Cycle 15)
SATURDAY, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
SEMINAR ROOM (Room #278)
“THE BIZ” (Sunday)
PANEL: HOW TO MAKE A LIFE AS A COMPOSER & A
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Led by a panel of GMTWP alums who work professionally as major musical
directors in Off-Broadway and Broadway shows such as Natasha, Pierre & the
Great Comet of 1812, Jersey Boys and Bella: An American Tall Tale, come hear
them discuss their dual lives as MDs and composers – how to maintain that
balance, the positive crossovers of each discipline and how their paths led them
into making a living as some of the most sought after musical directors in the
biz!
Led by Rona Siddiqui (Cycle 21), Andrew Wilder (Cycle 4) & Yan Li (Cycle 21)
SUNDAY, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
“THE BIZ” continued (Sunday)
CREATING A CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN
Come chat with two GMTWP alums about how they successfully funded their
original cast album as well as what they learned along the way. Topics will range
from selecting the right campaign platform to how to use social media effectively
to what makes for engaging content.
Led by Ryan Korell & Jonathan Keebler (Cycle 23)
SUNDAY, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
RELEASING AN ALBUM ON iTUNES & SPOTIFY
Join two GMTWP alums for a discussion on their experience creating, producing,
and releasing their own original cast album on all digital platforms. They’ll cover
everything from working with a limited budget to finding the right studio to
selecting an appropriate distribution service.
Led by Ryan Korell & Jonathan Keebler (Cycle 23)
SUNDAY, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
D.I.Y. MARKETING
DIY Marketing strategies/timelines for writers acting as producers on their own
or their friends' projects. You’ll cover targeting messages to constituencies (i.e.,
donors/ticket buyers), social media campaigns, press releases, the need for
transparency/approvals from key collaborators, video recording rules,
photography, additional content, postcards/posters, and more.
Led by Marella Martin Koch (Cycle 24)
SUNDAY, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SEMINAR ROOM (Room #278)
ASSISTING A GIANT
Ben Bonnema and Nolan Doran discuss their experiences assisting major players
in the musical theatre industry. Between the two, they've worked for Marc
Shaiman, Michael Mayer, Margo Lion, and Gabriel Kahane. They present
strategies on how to keep writing with a job that demands complete availability
and the lessons they've learned on the way.
Led by Ben Bonnema (Cycle 21) & Nolan Doran (Cycle 22)
SUNDAY, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
SPECIAL EVENTS
PRODUCING WORK AT FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS
Come learn the ins and outs of producing your own work and the work of your
colleagues in concerts, festivals, and beyond in this enlightening session led by
GMTWP alum Gregory Jacobs-Roseman.
Led by Gregory Jacobs-Roseman (Cycle 16)
SUNDAY, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
SEMINAR ROOM (Room #278)
LICENSING YOUR MUSIC FOR OPERA, DANCE &
MISCELLANEOUS THEATRICAL USES
Someone wants to perform your opera, or wants to use other music of yours in a
theatrical context (for example, in a ballet or a play, or adding puppets to a
concert performance). What rights would that entail, what sort of compensation
are you entitled to, and how do you figure that out? Let's talk about Grand Rights!
Led by Rachel Peters (Cycle 14)
SUNDAY, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
SEMINAR ROOM (Room #278)
“ARTS & POLITICS” (Sunday)
COMMUNITY BROWN BAG LUNCH DISCUSSION: ART
ACTIVISM IN A TIME OF TRUMP
Bring your lunch and thoughts to this communal gathering where we as a GMTWP
community can respectfully and safely discuss our roles as artists in the current
political climate.
SUNDAY, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
PANEL: WOMEN COMPOSERS
A panel discussion on the need and role of women composers in the business of
musical theatre. All are welcome to attend.
SUNDAY, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
OPENING POTLUCK
We’ll provide the mains, you provide the sides! Come mingle and reconnect with
one another. Meet new friends and faces. We’ll also be honoring some milestone
anniversaries for certain cycles! Most importantly, come to have fun and to
celebrate your part in the GMTWP legacy!
FRIDAY, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
OPEN MIC
Stay after the opening session for an evening of songs and performances by
your fellow GMTWPers. Get up and present your latest work at the Open Mic.
FRIDAY, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
SONGWRITING PLAYDATE FOR CHILDREN
Calling all children of alums! Come and play at a very special event specifically
tailored for children to learn the exciting craft of simple song making. Led by
alums who work professionally with children, your kids are sure to have a
wonderful time. Parents are welcome, too!
Led by Leah Miles (Cycle 19) & Jonathan Fadner (Cycle 24)
SATURDAY, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SEMINAR ROOM (Room #278)
PECHAKUCHA 20x20: FIND AND MEET NEW
COLLABORATORS
Looking for a collaborator? Tired of traditional speed dating or meet and mingle
events? PechaKucha 15x20: Find and Meet New Collaborators will be a simple
presentation format where each alum will show 15 pre-selected images, each for
20 seconds. The images will advance automatically (for a total of 300 seconds –
or 5 minutes) and the alum will talk along to the images—introducing themselves
and their ideas for potential projects. Afterwards, there will be time to mingle with
one another. Hilarity, and hopefully new collaborations are sure to abound!
PRE-ENROLLMENT IS REQUIRED TO PRESENT. Please email Danny Larsen at
[email protected] for further information.
SATURDAY, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
SPECIAL EVENTS continued
LONDON ROAD SING/STUMBLE-THRU WITH WINE
Come imbibe and sing/stumble thru the one-of-a-kind new musical that
musically captures the stories, transcripts and speech patterns of the townsfolk
of London Road in Ipswich, Suffolk, which took the spotlight as the location where
five prostitutes were found dead. And nothing encourages sight reading an
incredibly complex score like wine! Fun is for sure to be had!
SATURDAY, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
AND SPEAKING OF WRITING FOR THE VOICE: AN EVENING
WITH BROADWAY’S CATHERINE WALKER & STEVEN LUTVAK
A follow-up event from Friday evening’s opening session “WRITING FOR THE
VOICE, OR SHAPING A MELODY (AND IS THERE REALLY A DIFFERENCE?) led by
Steven Lutvak, this special performance will feature the talents of Tony Awardwinner and Cycle 1 alum Steven Lutvak (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder)
as well Broadway actress Catherine Walker. Come relax and be entertained after
a day of incredible sessions!
SATURDAY, 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
“BACK TO LAB”: LAB FOR GMTWP ALUMS
Ever wish you could go back to your time as a student at the GMTWP? Do you
miss the structure of lab days where AABA, Verse-Chorus songs and Extended
Musical Sequence assignments were presented and where you and your
collaborator could receive constructive feedback from your fellow writing
colleagues and faculty members?
Formatted in the same way as the student labs, this will be a special opportunity
to “come back to school” and experience lab all over again with material on which
you are currently working.
MORNING SESSION: SUNDAY, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
CONFERENCE ROOM (Room #276)
AFTERNOON SESSION: SUNDAY, 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
BLUE ROOM (Room #260)
COMMUNITY BROWN BAG LUNCH DISCUSSION: ART
ACTIVISM IN A TIME OF TRUMP
Bring your lunch and thoughts to this communal gathering where we as a GMTWP
community can respectfully and safely discuss our roles as artists in the current
political climate.
SUNDAY, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
BLACK BOX THEATRE (Room #282)
THE GRADUATE MUSICAL THEATRE WRITING PROGRAM
715 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10033
212-998-1830
Sarah Schlesinger, Chair
Fred Carl, Associate Chair
Full-Time Faculty:
Fred Carl, Julianne Wick Davis,
Randall Eng, Robert Lee,
Mel Marvin, Sybille Pearson
Staff:
Marie Costanza, Administrative Director
Danny Larsen, Administrative Coordinator & Coordinator of Alumni Affairs
Amy Burgess, Administrative Assistant