CREATING MUSICALS

Spent 3 years writing 2 separate shows through the Kidstage Originals new works program. One musical was written virtually, and one musical is now being performed as a developmental production on the stage this coming April. Both musicals are written by students, for students, and include a wide variety of diverse characters, some of which were inspired by the actors who play them.

PRODUCTS

Left to right: Roze Hsu, Sidh Stroff, Colin Bixler, and Aresa Berry making edits to the composition and dialogue of "While They Last"

While They Last Script - Performance Draft (3.26).pdf

The first read-through draft of the latest new work, "While They Last"

Not So Grim KSO Libretto v1.0 - As of 1_27_2021.pdf

The first draft of "Not So Grim" which was completely made virtually through zoom.

06 6. Wingmanning It.mp3

"Wingmanning It" A song from "While They Last" Written by Colin Bixler and Roze Hsu

The virtual performance of "Not So Grim"

The poster for "While They Last"

EXPERIENCE

YEAR ONE


  • Learned about plot structure, music structure, and script format

  • Brainstormed concepts, ideas, songs, characters, and themes

  • Did research on death mythology, tales, and other underworld related topics

  • Outlined the story

  • Wrote 3 scenes individually

  • Collaborated on 4 scenes

  • Wrote lyrics for 3 songs

  • Collaborated on 2 songs

  • Edited and revised script

  • Attended a talk back after the virtual reading

YEAR TWO


  • Researched various musicals from different time periods (Anything Goes, Pajama Game, Annie Get Your Gun, Once, West Side Story, etc.)

  • Took a lesson on music theory

  • Brainstormed concepts, ideas, songs, characters, and themes

  • Did research on Kronos, time travel,

  • Outlined the story

  • Wrote 4 scenes individually

  • Collaborated on 5 scenes

  • Wrote lyrics for 8 songs

  • Collaborated on 4 songs

  • Edited and revised script

  • Attended a talk back after the staged reading

COMING SOON

While They Last is currently in revision with the help of two new writers. Improving the story is far from over, and there's still so much to do with this project. Instead of just piano like last year, our music can now be done with a variety of instruments such as guitar and drums. We hope to turn our one act into a two act structure, deeply develop our characters even more, and incorporate new musical styles into our songs.