#musicalworks

[thespiannation]

Hey Thespians! If you are interested in developing new plays and musicals written by Thespians just like you then stop by the Next Generation Works table in the Lied Center lobby! National Office staffers Greg, Nate, and Claire will be happy to help you get signed up to audition!

Thespian Playworks

Supported by Samuel French, Inc., four new plays by Thespian writers will come to life this week in a series of workshops and scripts-in-hand readings with Thespian actors and a Dream Team of stage managers and designers! 

This year’s plays are :

Talking to Your Child About Death, by Bella Yaguda, Troupe 7903, Mission College Prep Catholic High School, San Luis Obispo, California

Waylen, by Kayla Temshiv, Troupe 4268, Edward S. Marcus High School, Flower Mound, Texas

Pigeon!, by Garrett M. Ryan, Troupe 3681, Widdifield Secondary School, North Bay, Ontatio

Flopsie, by Nick Krentel, Troupe 7014, Seven Lakes High School, Katy, Texas

Thespian Musicalworks

Supported by TRW, this year’s Musicalworks musical is Guilty, book, music, and lyrics by Michael Banwarth and Eric Leigh, Troupe 3842, Wahlert Catholic High School, Dubuque, Iowa.

ANNNNND a special commissioned play by Thespian alum Max Posner...

Supported by Dramatists Play Service, Posner will workshop and develop his new one-act play Sisters on the Ground.

[mwclassical]

Finding Opportunities as Classical Musicians: MusicalWorks

My name is Max Truluck, a violinist at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and I would like to introduce you to my platform: MusicalWorks.

MusicalWorks aims to connect musicians with opportunities in the classical music world. As a conservatory student, I see the challenges classical musicians face every day as they approach the start of their careers. The need for an efficient and comprehensive platform for managing their professional lives is apparent.

You may have already come across other services that provide something similar to what we do now, such as MusicalChairs and Muvac. These sites are great places to find long-term job opportunities and big competitions, yet they list only a small percentage of all available opportunities. The considerable fees they charge organizations to list limits the breadth of listings available. Unfortunately, this hinders what musicians need: a wide array of numerous listings, from gigs to long-term opportunities.

We have improved this by removing the cost barrier for organizations to list. We see no point in getting paid by limiting what our audience is coming to us for - opportunity. We want to monetize our efforts only for the value we provide, not take away. You can expect our company to grow and scale from here, with everything from artist management services and easy-to-use communication channels with organizations, to integration with AI services that will help artists manage and improve their careers.

Along with this, stay tuned for the upcoming launch of our publishing wing, where you'll find exceptional articles and editorials curated for our audience of classical musicians. Our content will help musicians learn from experts in the field by providing editorials from respected conductors and musicians, along with news and articles about the classical music landscape that can inform and support musicians in navigating their careers.

[thespiannation]

Musicalworks cast announced!

Thanks to all who auditioned for Thespian Musicalworks! The following Thespians were chosen for this week’s Festival presentation of Chrysalis, the original musical by Ryan Simon of Troupe 7372, Cypress Ranch H.S., Texas. The show centers around Lewis Cromwell, whose father bequeathed him a box of files detailing experimental conversion therapy on six patients. As Lewis reads the files, he struggles to come to terms with his late father’s legacy. The cast includes Brick Burnett of Troupe 7372, Cypress Ranch H.S., Texas; Taylor Cooper of Troupe 6612, Hays H.S., Buda, Texas; Ana Koshevoy of Troupe 1096, Durango H.S., Colorado; Katie Markle of Troupe 8104, Rock Ridge H.S., Ashburn, Virginia; Erin McIntyre of Troupe 3093, Lake Havasu H.S., Arizona; JeQwan Owens of Troupe 6753, Carver, H.S., Houston, Texas; and Nathan Smith of Troupe 5832, Roosevelt H.S., Seattle, Washington. Rounding out the Thespian team is Savannah Heslep of Troupe 6520, Mountain Home H.S., Arkansas, as stage manager.

[thespiannation]

Video by Greg Bossler.

A quick moment from today’s Musicalworks rehearsal!

[thespiannation]

Like a phoenix from the ashes ready to soar, I want more.

from “More” in the Thespian Musicalworks show Group by Cat Reynolds

[thespiannation]

"The professionals who reviewed this year’s submissions summed up the winning entries in one word: ambition. None of these young authors are wasting time on small ideas or easy forms."

The musical and four plays selected as finalists for this year’s Musicalworks and Playworks at the 2015 Thespian Festival are fascinating, dealing with mental illness, female struggles and liberation, and even the weather!  More information about the authors and short synopses of the shows, as well as brief audition and rehearsal details, can be found in the article.  Hope to see all who attend the Festival in attendance...whether in the audience or onstage.

- Festival blogger Lindsey Gwen Franxman

[thespiannation]

Apply to Thespian Festival 2014 - Lincoln, Nebraska with Acceptd, the premier performing arts network - connecting talent with performing arts schools and programs.

Audition online by May 1 for the the Thespian Festival Musicalworks program through Get Acceptd.

This is a great opportunity. If cast, you'll get to workshop a new piece of theatre, work with professionals in the field, sing your heart in front of the entire Festival delegation, and make dozens new friends and wonderful memories.

Annnnd... did you know you can connect with colleges through Get Acceptd? You can. Pretty cool.

Are you still reading this? Get to work.