Musicalworks

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MusicalWorks

MusicalWorks promotes original musical writing by high school students and is open to members of the International Thespian Society. Participants may submit the opening number to an original student-written musical for review. Selected student lyricists and composers will have the chance to workshop and stage their creation with professionals and student musical theatre actors at the Festival. One opening number will be chosen for workshops and a performance at the Missouri State Thespian Festival. *Winning submission will receive a $50.00 Honorarium Scholarship.

Rules and Guidelines

Musical must be original – no adaptations and no more than 2 writers. Adaptations won’t be considered, nor will musicals that include music, lyrics, or dialogue written by anyone other than the submitting writers.
Submit only an opening number between 3-6 minutes in length with a 15-person cast limit.
Musical subject can be about any subject.
Musical submission should include full song lyrics and accompaniment either by instruments or a composition program such as Garage Band. Acapella pieces are not allowed.
You may include dialogue that occurs before or during the opening number.
Submit a one-page plot summary of entire show.
Writers may submit more than one opening number.
Musical Works Application w/ plot summary, musical sound file, and lyrics sheet are to be submitted via email as Microsoft Word attachment to [email protected]
Scripts MUST be submitted by NOVEMBER 1^st.
NO LATE SCRIPTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
*If selected to workshop your opening number at the Festival, you will be required to produce sheet music for your original song. Sheet music can be written on Finale Notepad (a free music writing, music notation, software download) or any other music notation program.
Review the Musical Works Leadership Informational Presentation for additional information.

Eligibility

Participants must be active members of the Thespian Society enrolled in high school during the current school year.

Submission Procedures

Submit your opening number in a mp4 or mp3 file.
Recordings must include all sung lyrics and accompaniment.
Submit a completed MusicalWorks application that will request a detailed plot summary of the entire show including information about the musical’s intended audience.
Include a lyrics sheet for the opening number.
Review the Musical Works Rubric before you complete your submission.

Workshops and performance

The writers will collaborate with student actors and professional stage directors and music directors to bring their musicals to life with minimal production elements. The writers will observe readings, consult with their directors, receive and provide feedback, and make revisions to strengthen their scripts. The program culminates in staged the musical opening number for a conference audience.

Rights

Your work is protected by copyright from the moment it is created. As the writer, you own the musical and have exclusive control of the rights to produce, publish, and adapt it. By submitting your opening number to the MusicalWorks program, you are agreeing to allow the Missouri State Thespians, at its discretion, to mount a performance of your work.

Deadline

All submission must be turned in by NOVEMBER 1^st. No Late submissions will be accepted.
Early submissions are encouraged.
Submissions will be acknowledged at the time of receipt.
Email submissions to Tabatha Babcock [email protected]. *Please put your musical title in the subject line and label each document with the title and type of document (Example: “Wicked” application).

Audition and Casting Process

Selected students will cast their opening number in advance from those who will have submitted video auditions. Those auditioning will submit 16 bars each of two contrasting musical theatre numbers and a theatrical resume. All auditions will be submitted by December 17^th and will be shared with the person selected. See the Musical Works Leadership Presentation for additional information and tips.

Stage Managers

Stage Managers will be needed for this event. Students will fill out the Page to Stage/MusicalWorks application and submit it along with a theatrical resume to [email protected].