University degrees: Postgraduate
Course length: two years
Course city: New York
Students and faculty include composers, lyricists, and bookwriters — the people who put their individual talents together to write works for the musical stage. Each year, 30 full-time students embark on a two-year course, participating in ongoing writing workshops that emphasize craft, the art of collaboration, rewriting, storytelling, and developing an original voice. This intimate and unique program — the only one of its kind in the world — is solidly grounded in its location: Students are immersed in all aspects of New York musical theatre, workshopping their material with directors, actors, and major artists in the field. The program culminates in the creation of full-length original works.
The curriculum is designed in a non-traditional format based on the art of collaboration. Collaboration is a part of everything we do: Our faculty team-teaches the majority of the seminars and labs, and you will collaborate with each other to create new work.
The heart of the program is our writing lab, where you and your collaborator will see and hear what you’ve written and will experience the rewriting process. While the writing lab focuses on craft – communication between collaborating artists; storytelling in music, lyrics, and book; and meaningful content – it is supported by seminars, tutorials, and master classes.
We are deeply connected to New York City’s theatre community, and our curriculum reflects that. We invite artists who are making the most exciting work to come and talk to you about the craft and business of musical theatre.
