BMI Musical Theater Workshop
This past week in NYC has been filled with some of the most life-changing, yet challenging moments. We arrived last Wednesday, and since then I have been enjoying my internship at the Public Theater working on Special Events. Although the first day of using the Subway on the way to work left me feeling very discouraged (and late!), I feel much more confident in my abilities a week later! I love being able to work in a theater every day with such nice people, but was presented with an incredible experience the past Monday and Tuesday.
Thanks to Ms. Allison Smith, an alumna of Harpeth Hall, I was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to participate in the BMI Musical Theater Playwriting class. These two classes were on Monday, from 4:30-6:30, and Tuesday, 5:30-7:30. Walking into this class, I was not sure at all what I would be doing, let alone what the class was about. As I walked into 7 World Trade Center, I was escorted by Broadway director Patrick Cook to the 30th floor of the building. Before entering the class, I had to sign a few contracts saying that I wouldn't share any information being presented in the workshop. After signing these documents, I walked into the class with Mr. Cook feeling excited, yet very nervous.
I took a seat in the middle of the class just as it was starting, and heard a few different men introduce themselves. Basically, the class (each day) competitively selects 6 different upcoming Broadway musicals to be reviewed and critiqued by different directors and professional people in the theater industry. These shows were typically half-written, and were in the process of being revised and perfected. Some of the shows were so early along that they were being re-written right in front of me. Around two scenes and songs were chosen and performed from each musical by actors, while the play writers sat by the piano and introduced their work. After each show was presented, the audience of around 20 other play writers and directors (and me!), critiqued parts of the scenes they presented to make them better. Between the two days (12 new shows) I saw presented, some were based on popular books, but each show was so spectacular that I got choked up at times. It struck me that most of the shows right in front of me I could be seeing on stage in the next few years.
Although I sadly cannot give specific details about the shows (because of the contract), I can say that this experience has been life-changing for me. When I was sitting in this class, surrounded by such talented singers, actors, directors, and play writers, I realized how much I love everything about theater. I not only love to perform myself, but I love learning about the aspects of theater I know little about, like producing, directing, and play writing. I could go on and on about this amazing experience, and am so thankful to have been given the opportunity. Watching these new Broadway shows practically being written in front of me helped me to discover how much I love not only just performing, but helped me develop a new love for what it takes to write a musical.
I'm so excited for the rest of my Winterim NYC experience, and this opportunity is just one of the many amazing things I am (and will) experience.
Thanks to Ms. Allison Smith, an alumna of Harpeth Hall, I was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to participate in the BMI Musical Theater Playwriting class. These two classes were on Monday, from 4:30-6:30, and Tuesday, 5:30-7:30. Walking into this class, I was not sure at all what I would be doing, let alone what the class was about. As I walked into 7 World Trade Center, I was escorted by Broadway director Patrick Cook to the 30th floor of the building. Before entering the class, I had to sign a few contracts saying that I wouldn't share any information being presented in the workshop. After signing these documents, I walked into the class with Mr. Cook feeling excited, yet very nervous.
I took a seat in the middle of the class just as it was starting, and heard a few different men introduce themselves. Basically, the class (each day) competitively selects 6 different upcoming Broadway musicals to be reviewed and critiqued by different directors and professional people in the theater industry. These shows were typically half-written, and were in the process of being revised and perfected. Some of the shows were so early along that they were being re-written right in front of me. Around two scenes and songs were chosen and performed from each musical by actors, while the play writers sat by the piano and introduced their work. After each show was presented, the audience of around 20 other play writers and directors (and me!), critiqued parts of the scenes they presented to make them better. Between the two days (12 new shows) I saw presented, some were based on popular books, but each show was so spectacular that I got choked up at times. It struck me that most of the shows right in front of me I could be seeing on stage in the next few years.
Although I sadly cannot give specific details about the shows (because of the contract), I can say that this experience has been life-changing for me. When I was sitting in this class, surrounded by such talented singers, actors, directors, and play writers, I realized how much I love everything about theater. I not only love to perform myself, but I love learning about the aspects of theater I know little about, like producing, directing, and play writing. I could go on and on about this amazing experience, and am so thankful to have been given the opportunity. Watching these new Broadway shows practically being written in front of me helped me to discover how much I love not only just performing, but helped me develop a new love for what it takes to write a musical.
I'm so excited for the rest of my Winterim NYC experience, and this opportunity is just one of the many amazing things I am (and will) experience.
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