Writing the Ten Minute Musical (Spring 2021)

Writing the Ten Minute Musical (Spring 2021) 

Apr. 10 - June 5
10:00am - 1:00pm 

Instructors: Cheri Coons & J. Sebastian Fabál

Learn advanced musical theatre storytelling techniques by creating original work in this compact, ten minute form. Writers and/or writing teams will create a 10 minute musical inspired by open-ended prompts.  You’ll share work in class every week, culminating in a workshop with actors and a director in the final class sessions. Sign up with your collaborator and share a discounted course fee, or sign up as an individual writer or composer and create work on your own, or pair with other writers in the class to create work!

Cheryl Coons’ work has been produced across the United States and internationally. Her musical Sylvia’s Real Good Advice was a Jefferson Award winner for Best New Work, and her play Phantom of the Country Opera is published by Music Theater International. Cheryl's work has been developed and showcased at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's National Music Theatre Conference, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Works, and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Her music has been performed at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and her songs have been featured on Good Morning, America, The Today Show, and NPR’S Morning Edition.

J. Seb Fabal is an award-winning composer, lyricist, and bookwriter. A Cuban-American from Miami, Florida, he moved to Chicago after 7 years in New York City where he received his MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Full length shows: Maul Santa (book by Ricky Glore), Yoey & Yeya (2019 Live & In Color Finalist), Alligator Ali (book/lyrics by Chris Widney), Steve-25, The Tenth Floor (book by Sara Cooper, Next Link Selection NYMF 2010, Talkin’ Broadway Outstanding New Musical), Toy Soldiers, Losing Nora; Children’s Theatre: Help Wanted: Pirates!, The Elko Aliens (both with book/lyrics by Chris Widney). Since moving to Chicago, he's worked as a musical dramaturg with The Second City, taught at Chicago Dramatists and Porchlight Music Theatre, and has co-founded the Chicago Musical Theatre Collective.  Seb was just named the new Executive Director of Underscore Theatre Company