THE 50THINGS I HAVE
LEARNED ABOUT
WRITING AND PRODUCING A
NEW MUSICAL
BY JYE BRYANT
B.Mus., M.Teach. (Sec.)

WRITINGA NEW MUSICAL
1. Find a story that ‘sings’
2. Write what you want to see on
stage
3. Keep in mind logistics and stage-
ability
4. Use your writer’s intuition
5. Collaborate if you don’t have the
skill set Picture: The Things I Could Never Tell Steven (2015)

COLLABORATING ON A NEW MUSICAL
6. Create job descriptions
7. Know your strengths and limits
8. Share a similar level of experience
9. Share a mutual enthusiasm for the
project
10.Have compatible writing practices
Picture: Collaborating on The Velveteen Rabbit (2016)

WORKSHOPPINGA NEW MUSICAL
11.Invite supportive yet skilled
participants
12.Humbly accept criticism and
avoid making excuses
13.Filter the feedback through the
wisdom of your writer’s intuition
14.Establish rules of engagement
15.Provide scripts and musical
scores where possible Picture: Workshopping ‘The Things I Could Never Tell Steven’ (2011)

ORCHESTRATINGA NEW MUSICAL
16. Invite supportive yet skilled
participants
17. Humbly accept criticism and avoid
making excuses
18. Filter the feedback through the
wisdom of your writer’s intuition
19. Establish rules of engagement
20. Provide scripts and musical scores
where possible Picture: The sitzprobe of The Velveteen Rabbit (2013)

PRODUCINGA NEW MUSICAL
21. Keep a tight budget
22. Find a good production team
23. Create a production schedule
24. Find funding (if required)
25. Be transparent with cast and
production team Picture: The Velveteen Rabbit (2013)

FINDINGA PRODUCTIONTEAM FORA
NEW MUSICAL
26. Advertise
27. Write a wish list
28. Interview
29. Provide excerpts from the show
30. Create contracts
Picture: The Production Team of The Velveteen Rabbit (2013)

CASTING FOR A NEW MUSICAL
31. Audition all roles
32. Create contracts
33. Set all show and rehearsal dates
before auditions
34. Have the cast audition with a
song from the show
35. Don’t settle for inferior players Picture: Auditions for ALADDIN GOES TO AFRICA (2006)

FINDINGATHEATRETO STAGE
A NEW MUSICAL
36. Must be affordable
37. Appropriate size
38. Good location
39. Well resourced
40. Supportive of new work
Picture: Rehearsing RAINBOW TEARS (2007)

REHEARSINGA NEW MUSICAL
41. Limit the rehearsal period
42. Find an appropriate rehearsal
space
43. Keep to a strict rehearsal schedule
44. Establish good rehearsal habits
45. Invite industry professionals to
offer feedback
Picture: Rehearsing The Things I Could Never Tell Steven (2015)

PUBLICISINGA NEW MUSICAL
46. Compile a list of media outlets
47. Send personalised invitations
48. Utilise the power of social media
49. Create a trailer
50. Be visible
Picture: Publicity for The Things I Could Never Tell Steven (2015)

By Jye Bryant
B.Mus., M.Teach. (Sec.)
Creator ofTHETHINGS I COULD NEVERTELL
STEVEN
www.jyebryant.com
www.thethingsicouldnevertellsteven.com