Nurturing New Writing

New stuff. There is always a thrill to experiencing something for the first time. New food, new clothes, new city, new people. And for me, new works for the theatre. I have long been an advocate for new plays and musicals. I've done a bit of writing myself. I've spent time in play publishing and been a part of various new works and new play festivals, even running one for a spell. Here in London, I have found two wonderful opportunities to support the development of new works for the stage.

The first week of first term we were introduced to a student led project at Central called New Writers' Night. This immediately got my attention and I signed up to help however I could. My relationship with this event has grown into a fully committed producing position. We have a team of five, two producers from the producing course, and three writers from the writing course on board as creative directors. The five of us are working to take this project to the next level. We have re-branded the night and have called it 8Squared. We will present 8 new 8 minute short plays to the public and invited industry in February. Auditions for actors to read the new scripts were this past week and the box office opens tomorrow, Monday. We are off and rolling! 

My placement (or internship, as some would call it) at Mercury Musical Developments began this past week. MMD works closely with writers and composers creating new musicals for the stage. As part of their team, I will help to produce a showcase of new musical offerings to industry professionals at the BEAM event in March. These new works were scouted from all over the UK and are at various stages in their development. Nothing like this has ever been organized in London before and I am incredibly excited to be involved. What if we discover the next Rodgers and Hammerstein or Stephen Sondheim?!

Tomorrow I head into MMD for planning meetings and Tuesday evening we have a table read for 8Squared. I am absolutely surrounded by new writing, and I love it! Being a part of a work that is in progress is such a privilege. Even if the play or musical doesn't go on to be the next big hit, while there, I will watch history in the making and theatre craft engaged at the embryonic stage. It's not a practice too many people are able to witness. I am a lucky lady.

I'll let you know how things go. In the meantime, check your local theatres and see what new works they might be presenting.

Take care!

-m