The Craft of Writing Musical Theatre Paperback – May 5, 2025

A professional guide for the serious musical theatre writer.Whether you're a student, educator, or aspiring writer, The Craft of Writing Musicals is a comprehensive roadmap to developing a strong, theatrical, and original musical. Covering every aspect of the process—from dramatic structure to lyric construction, character arcs to scene design—this 500-page textbook distills decades of practical teaching into a highly accessible curriculum.Originally developed for New Musicals Inc. (NMI), this resource has been tested and refined over years of classroom use. Its structured modules make it ideal for self-study, undergraduate and graduate instruction, or professional development workshops.What’s Inside:44 chapters, including “Writing the Book," "Musical Theatre Structure," "Spotting Songs: the Marriage of Book, Music, and Lyrics," "Writing the Lyrics," "Writing the Score."In-depth exploration of premise, structure, character, conflict, lyrics, music, and adaptationClear examples and exercises to strengthen your writing craftUseful whether you're starting from scratch or revising an existing showAlso included: Dozens of examples from sample scripts, lyrics, outlines, and lyric worksheets to support your learning.Whether you're drafting your first show or your fifteenth, The Craft of Writing Musicals is your essential companion in the collaborative art of creating original, stageworthy musicals. Read more