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Since you’re here…
…and you clearly have an interest in musical theatre writing, why not apply to our live, collaborative, cohort-based, flagship writing course?
Most of the key details are included under the application form below, but you can read all about the full details of the Flagship Musical Theatre Writing Workshop Course by clicking HERE.
There are only 12 slots per cohort and only 2 cohorts per year, so if this is at all of interest then don’t wait too long to apply!
Flagship Musical Theatre Writing Workshop Course
Please fill out the quick form below to book your application chat!
***Be sure to check your “Spam” folder for an email response, and add michael.radi@yahoo.com to your Contacts list!***
***Be sure to check your “Spam” folder for an email response, and add michael.radi@yahoo.com to your Contacts list!***
Does Any of This Sound Familiar?
You want to learn to write for musical theatre, but you need somewhere to learn?
You have applied to BMI, ASCAP, or similar programs and haven’t been accepted, don’t live in NYC, or can’t spend $100K?
You know you have something unique to offer in your own voice, but everything always seems tailored to only one way of writing?
You long for a supportive community of musical theatre writers, but aren’t sure where to find them?
You want to experiment and try new things, but are paralyzed by fear of failure?
You know we are stronger together as a community, but you see competition everywhere you look?
You want to find like-minded collaborators, but don’t know where to look?
“This class was just what I needed” - Sadie Bowman
But What If…?
There was a place to learn musical theatre writing that was warm and welcome?
There was no audition, but a short 1-on-1 application process centered on you?
You could learn, experiment, and grow without fear of failure or judgement?
You knew your community would be there for you, to lift you up when you succeed and catch you if you fall?
You knew you could be a part of a community forever, and not just the length of a course?
You could learn entirely online without having to move to NYC?
You could actually afford the education with payment options tailored to your needs?
You could discover the musical writer within you, and be celebrated for it?
“So much more than I ever anticipated” - Andy Lebon
My Goal for You:
Is for you to be able to leave behind the mindsets of competition-only, status quo, gotta-do-it-alone, and “what if I fail”…
as you join me in a space of:
Affirmation, Education, Community, Support, Experimentation, Open Minds and Open Hearts.
“I feel like this class has supercharged my writing in ways that I didn’t expect” - Julie Richardson
The Idea
This collective is built upon the idea that anyone who considers themselves to be a musical theatre composer or lyricist should have access to a collaborative, supportive, educational environment to learn about musical theatre writing.
This environment will be based on a willingness to:
Learn
Experiment
Collaborate
Grow
Be Open
Support Others
Be Supported
There is no audition for this program. Instead there is a personalized and collaborative application chat (scroll to the bottom for a quick form), the purpose of which is to be certain we are creating the affirmative, supportive, and safe educational community that we all need and desire.
The class size will be capped at 16 writers who can be paired into 8 composer/lyricist pairings - purely for logistical reasons in the foundational stage of the course - but anyone is welcome. As long as you are willing to dedicate your time in the course to building a healthy, affirmative, and supportive educational community with like-minded creatives, then I personally extend to you the warmest and heartiest of welcomes!
This is an online course, so geography is much less likely to stand in our way!
You may feel uncertain about how to give positive and supportive feedback, but I’ve got you. I will lead us through the specific feedback process we will be following, which focuses on what is best for the writer in the vulnerable moment of sharing in order to most effectively help them grow and succeed moving forward.
At the End of this Course You Will Have…
A foundational understanding of musical theatre song-writing in various forms.
3 songs written with various collaborators.
3 revised songs written with various collaborators.
Multiple approaches to writing songs.
Insights to creating a full musical, from structure to development and plenty in-between.
Free membership to the Musical Theatre Writing Collective online hub for the course duration.
A forever community of musical theatre writers in the online hub, which will only continue to grow.
Recordings of the classes which include lessons, shares, and feedback sessions.
Experience giving and receiving feedback on new musical material.
The ability to blend your unique voice with tried and true structures.
The knowledge that you are a writer and you can do this.
“What a dream space and community for musical theatre writers!” - Amy Andrews
The Details
The course will be 20 weeks with one 2-hour session each week. Class sessions for Cohort 3 will begin in early March 2023 and run through early or mid-July 2023. Classes take place on Wednesday evenings, from 7:15pm - 9:15pm (EST). Sign-ups are rolling until Cohort 2 begins or until 16 spots have been filled!
There will be 6 song challenges of varying types and complexity, and you will be paired with different collaborators for each song. Each team will have two weeks to complete the challenge before presenting their song to the class in a feedback process that centers around support, growth, and what you brought to the table.
The latter 3 songs will include rewrite weeks, where the team will have the opportunity to revise their work based on the feedback given. Everyone will take part in the feedback process, which will be moderated by myself and occasional guests who fit the atmosphere of the community we are building.
Throughout our time together, you will have the ability to speak and grow as a community through a connected online group and the Musical Theatre Writing Collective, where you can seek answers to questions as well as support. Your class will have their own private space to connect, in addition to all of the resources, tools, opportunities, and semi-weekly labs available in the MTWC online hub!
Your investment in this educational adventure will be $2,000 total for the entire 20-week online process, including everything mentioned above - less than the average college course and with no need to move to a big city. But if this number gives you hesitation, do still schedule a chat with me, knowing that we will have a conversation and I will do my best to make this work for you. Payment options are available.
What Cohort 1 Has to Say…
“It was a deep joy and an absolute privilege to be part of the very first MTWC Course cohort with Michael Radi. Michael expertly curated a Zoom room full of kind, intelligent, creative, and fun people with all different kinds of musical theatre writing experience. Over the 20-week course, we learned from Michael, from terrific guest professional artists, and from each other about the wild ride of musical theatre writing. It was AMAZING to watch everyone grow together as writers as we went from a room full of strangers to a close-knit group of supportive friends, colleagues, and collaborators. Michael gets all the credit for creating a space where we could all show up as our truest and best selves to learn and grow into a strong community. This is the very beginning of MTWC, and I cannot wait to see what it becomes. What a dream space and community for musical theatre writers!”
“I am a Musical Theater actor who decided to take Michael’s class because I enjoy writing, I wanted a better understanding of Musicals, and I already had a great deal of admiration for Michael and his work. His class really delivered so much more than I ever anticipated. After 20 short weeks, I feel like I have a full tool belt to continue writing quality songs for the musical stage. Each lesson was engaging and taught in a way that anyone could comprehend (not just people with prior writing experience). The environment was as nurturing and supportive as could be. I developed trust and comfort with Michael and my classmates very quickly. Therefore, I was able to be vulnerable and accept complements/critique with an open mind. I now have 4+ original songs that I’ve written with different collaborators. Overall, if you’re looking for an experience thats equally parts artistic, fun, and cathartic, I couldn’t endorse Michael’s class enough.”
“This course was just what I needed to shake up my perspectives, explore new connections, and freshen up everything I thought I knew about songwriting. The opportunity to collaborate in new ways with new people in an affirming, supportive, and growth-oriented environment did wonders to pull me out of my own songwriting rut, and to feel like part of a community that will grow along with me for the rest of my career. Thanks Michael!”
All it takes is a zoom chat. Schedule now!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have experience writing musical theatre in order to join?
Nope! General writing or composition experience is helpful, but if you want to learn how to write lyrics or theatre music, that is enough to come have a chat with me!
What if I can’t attend every session?
I understand that perfect attendance will be hard for most people. Every session will be recorded for you, and we’ll do our best to make the share schedule work!
What if I can’t afford the listed price?
Payments do not need to be made upfront - there are options available! Come schedule your call with me and together we will do our best to figure out what works for you. Education and community are the big goals here!
What if I’m nervous?
That is completely normal and totally understandable. Trying new things and meeting new people can be scary-making. But so often, the reward is so worth it. Plus, we’re here to create a supportive and lasting community of good company - I’d love for you to join!
Will there be more to the community?
Oh yes. Definitely! This course is just the beginning. The plan is to grow the Collective into a forever community with opportunities and events for writers at all stages. And it all starts here!
