Hi--I've been a Stage 32 member for literally years and done nothing with it, but right now I'm working on a project that's out of my comfort zone and if you have any wisdom about this, I'd be so grateful...
Last November I got an option on an old book I've loved for years, and I'm ADAPTING IT INTO A MUSICAL... likely the most thrilling thing I've ever done professionally. My plan is to write book and lyrics, and this spring I came up with an outline of the adapted story which I've shown to some industry people who loved it and encouraged me. The issue at the moment: While I'm just beginning work on the script and I've listed where the songs should go, I do not have a composer and I have no IDEA what to do with this once it's finished!
I spent the better part of 8 years working in a literary agency in L.A., so I know the basics of getting stuff to producers, but I don't know how it's done for the stage, and whom I should even try to reach. Who are the best people to talk to first--theater companies, theatrical producers, and shouldn't I maybe try to get it into a good regional house before trying to get to Broadway? And where's the composer gonna come from? The person I want will have a great grasp of melody and a feeling for the Golden-Age musicals (ie, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Lerner & Loewe, etc.) and want to write stuff like that (I'm not averse to good pop music either, but the story is set in 1901 Salt Lake City, so it wouldn't necessarily sound right there). There will be three great roles for women and the story is HIGHLY romantic and old-fashioned--I think of it as sort of a modern-day OKLAHOMA! Please send m your suggestions and ideas--I'm open to anything, really, because I just have to know how to go about this, even as I'm writing the script. I have long experience with playwriting and screenwriting, but not knowing where it has to go after that is scary--PLEASE help!
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Congratulations! That sounds wonderful. All the best to you!
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Hi, Susan Sloate. Congratulations on working on a project that's out of your comfort zone and the option!
I don't have any experience in theater, but Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Producers, directors, executives, composers, and more. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...
Stage 32 had a live Community Open House recently. It'll also help you connect with creatives and industry pros. You can watch the recording here: www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-july-community-open-house
You could also post your script on your profile once it's done. Producers search profiles on here for projects. Click the gear symbol in the top right-hand corner and select “Edit profile” in the drop-down menu. Scroll down to “Loglines” and click “Add/edit loglines” to the right of “Loglines.” You can also post your script on your profile this way (near the top where it says “Add a Logline”): www.stage32.com/loglines
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I was at an art association picnic and one person said her father (deceased now) made a living turning written plays into musicals. The playwrights would finish the work as a play, and he would rework it into a musical. So maybe it's common for the play is written first, then a collaborator ads the lyrics and music?