Download Writers/Composers/Lyricists

Writers/Composers/Lyricists – You will find helpful information and audition/interviews; being a writer,
lyricist, or composer; and some frequently asked questions below. Enjoy!
Writers/Lyricists
The ideal writer has experience writing dramatic literature plays, scenes, or monologues. They have a
strong sense of independence but also understand the importance of outside input and perspective. They
have a dedicated work ethic and can commit to meeting deadlines. Writers will understand that there are
musical theatre models for us to emulate, but will honor their own creative impulses as well.
Unexpected Musical Theatre Writers
• Comic book fans
• People who are frequently told by teachers, “You are a good writer.”
• Poets
• Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Masters
• People who love to Journal
• People who like to go on RANTS
• People who have written scripts or skits
Lyricists have a way with words. In a few simple phrases, they artfully capture a moment, an emotion, or a
situation. Lyricists will have a STRONG sense of collaboration as they will always be communicating with
the composer and writer about their material. They have a dedicated work ethic and can commit to meeting
deadlines. The ideal lyricist will be ready for the challenges of developing their own lyrics with no
parameters, listening to a melody and creating lyrics to fit it, and taking a scene and adapting it into lyrics.
Unexpected Lyricists
• Poets
• People who have a writing style that teachers might have called strange or “in the wrong tone,”
• People who make up parody lyrics for pop songs they hate
• Witty people
• Exceptionally good rhymers
•
As a sample of their work, writers/lyricists will submit no less than 6 and no more than 10 TYPED pages of
contrasting examples of their writing. This means you might choose two or three from the following list:
Excerpts from plays
Monologues
Scenes
Short skits written for assemblies
Creative writing projects
Narrative descriptions about “what you did last summer” or your favorite place to visit
Poems
Comic book pages
Lyrics
Parody lyrics to an existing song
Writing assignments when you tell a story from a particular characters point of view
Any piece of writing in the first person.
Have something in mind, but not sure it fits the requirement? Call KIDSTAGE at (425) 257-6340 or email
[email protected] and double check.
Composers
The ideal composer has experience creating melodies and/or chord structures and they play an instrument
(NOTE: the voice is an instrument). Many composers do not read music, but that skill is certainly helpful.
They have a dedicated work ethic and can commit to meeting deadlines. The ideal composer understands
that there are musical models within the musical theatre for us to look at and emulate, and has a healthy
interest in fulfilling those models when necessary and breaking free of them when appropriate.
Unexpected Musical Theatre Composers
• Have music playing in their head that they have never heard before
• Hummers who make up melodies while they walk around
• People who arrange vocal parts for their church or school choir
• People who like to pick up instruments to see what sort of sounds they make
• Individuals who are not in choir or band, but find themselves in the choir or band room playing the
piano
• People who compose or arrange for their rock band
As a sample of their work, composers will submit no less than 3 and no more than 5 minutes of
RECORDED contrasting examples of their composing. If you have NO recordings, but have this music
clearly notated, please inform KIDSTAGE in advance. This means you might choose two or three from the
following list:
An up tempo melody (with or without lyrics)
A slow melody (with or without lyrics)
Parts you arranged for a choir song
A song you wrote for the piano or other non-voice instrument
A song you wrote for Reflections competition
Have something in mind, but not sure it fits the requirement? Call KIDSTAGE at (425) 257-6340 or email
[email protected] and double check.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q. Can I be an actor and on the writing team?
A. Actors will be auditioned from Institute performance track students. If that applies to you, then you may
audition to perform for any Company Originals readings or projects.
Q. I’m interested in being involved, but I’m not sure which position is right. (Or I want to be able to be a
composer if I’m not chosen as a writer.) What should I do?
A. Submit for all positions for which you would like to be considered.
Q. I want to compose and write lyrics, do I have to do ALL the requirements for both?
A. YES, you will need to complete ALL requirements if you want to be considered for more than one area.
Q. I want to write book and lyrics. Do I have to submit separately for those?
A. No, students can express their interest and skill in both areas by submitting those examples.
Q. I want to write book and lyrics. I wrote a scene that goes into lyrics, can I submit that?
A. Yes! If you would like to submit them as two writing examples please clearly mark them separately, but
they may also be submitted as one writing example.
Q. I want to write lyrics and music. Can I submit the same song?
A. YES. Make sure you submit PRINTED lyrics with your writer/lyricist application.