Musical Theatre Workshop Application

Download the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop Application. This file is in PDF format.

Composers and Lyricists


Each September a first-year group is formed. Applications are accepted until the August 1 deadline. All submissions are screened prior to auditions, which are normally scheduled the first Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after Labor Day. Please send completed applications to:

Patrick Cook
BMI
7 World Trade Center
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007-0030

With your application, which you can download above, please submit the following:

Composer: Three (3) contrasting compositions on CD - up-tempo, comedy song, ballad.

Lyricist: Three contrasting lyrics - up-tempo, comedy song, ballad.

Composer/Lyricist: Three (3) contrasting songs on CD - up-tempo, comedy song, ballad.

Please provide a short introductory set-up for each song or lyric.

At the auditions, composers must be prepared to perform at least two contrasting theatrical compositions; lyricists are expected to have copies available and to recite samples of their theatrical lyrics.

During the first year, composer and lyricists are paired off (writers may write both words and music) and are asked to create appropriate songs based on specific scenes from various plays, short stories and novels. The writers perform their assignments, and various approaches to the common assignments are discussed by members of the Workshop and the moderator. Every effort is made to insure that each writer retains his or her individual style. In addition, the writers study the requirements of the libretto, and analyze and discuss current and past musicals. The First Year culminates in the creation of a 10-minute musical.

In the Workshop’s final phase (Second Year), teams work on a musical. The Workshop functions as a forum and a sounding board for works in progress, as music and lyrics are critically evaluated and open dialogue is encouraged.

At the end of each Second Year, participants present excerpts from their musicals in progress, and the Workshop Committee determines which writers from that group will be invited to join the Advanced Workshop. Not everyone is asked. This Workshop is intended for writers of professional caliber who are expected to contribute to the vitality of the musical theatre scene.

The Workshops meet one afternoon a week for two hours, under the guidance of distinguished writers and directors. There are no restrictions on membership and no fees.

Librettists

Current and past musicals are analyzed and discussed - successes as well as failures. Librettists are encouraged to join forces with Workshop composers and lyricists for actual collaboration on musicals.

Accomplished writers in all genres are invited to submit excerpts from works published, produced or in progress (from any medium - dialogue or narrative). Submissions must include at least one sample of humorous writing. 

Electronic submissions are preferred. Application materials such as bios and script samples may be sent as .pdf or .doc files to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Be sure that your first initial and last name appear on every page of your support materials. All Librettist materials must be submitted by June 1. NOTE: The 2011 deadline has been extended to June 15.

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