OVERVIEW
A new work development program by The Musical Stage Company & Sheridan College.
Grounded in the urgency of the stories we need to hear now, First Drafts is the commission, drafting, workshopping, rehearsal, and public audio presentation of three new short musicals which reimagine, reconstitute, and reanimate the Western musical theatre canon.
Sheridan students will audition, rehearse and perform the new works while collaborating in the creative process with experienced music theatre writers, composers, and directors, gaining valuable skills needed for workshop performance that is integral for their professional success but not offered in traditional theatre training programs. The culmination of the 2023 First Drafts program will be performed by the graduating class of 2023.
Click here to listen to Kensington: The Musical on Spotify
Click here to listen to Nobody Asked to Be Here on Spotify
Click here to listen to Rooted: A Musical Poem on Spotify
First Drafts Supporters
–
OVERVIEW
A new work development program by The Musical Stage Company & Sheridan College.
Grounded in the urgency of the stories we need to hear now, First Drafts is the commission, drafting, workshopping, rehearsal, and public audio presentation of three new short musicals which reimagine, reconstitute, and reanimate the Western musical theatre canon.
Sheridan students will audition, rehearse and perform the new works while collaborating in the creative process with experienced music theatre writers, composers, and directors, gaining valuable skills needed for workshop performance that is integral for their professional success but not offered in traditional theatre training programs. The culmination of the 2023 First Drafts program will be performed by the graduating class of 2023.
Click here to listen to Kensington: The Musical on Spotify
Click here to listen to Nobody Asked to Be Here on Spotify
Click here to listen to Rooted: A Musical Poem on Spotify
–
2022-23 Musicals In Development
Kensington: The Musical
Click here to listen to Kensington: The Musical on Spotify.
Click here to listen to Kensington: The Musical on Apple Podcasts.
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Beau Dixon & Raha Javanfar
Directed by Beau Dixon & Raha Javanfar
Music Direction by Beau Dixon & Raha Javanfar
Kensington: The Musical, set in Toronto’s iconic heritage landmark, takes us inside a family owned burrito shop, where an eccentric cast of characters — the employees, owners, regulars, and visiting tourists — face the daily trials of running a business, and grapple with the challenges of the future. What becomes of a legacy in the face of uncertainty? This is a story about embracing change, managing relationships, honouring history, and leaning on community.
Content Advisory: This podcast contains mature content and strong language.
For the Kensington: The Musical programme, click here.
Creative Team
Copyist: Jonathan Corkal-Astorga
Dramaturgs: Mel Hague & Kevin Wong
Sound Designer: Tim Lindsay
Stage Manager: Jess Gordon
Cast
River: Gareth Davies
Johnny: Luciano DeCicco
Lisa: Amariah Faulkner
Spenny: Benjamin Faulknor
Ryan: Duncan Lang
Raven: Ryan MacDougall
Gloria: Kiersten Polard
Leila: Jessa Richer
Pat: Nicholas Rocque
Nicole: Corina Schuler
Mils: Alex Smith
Bill: Shaemus Swets
Frida: Kristen Thompson
Nobody Asked to Be Here
Click here to listen to Nobody Asked to Be Here on Spotify
Click here to listen to Nobody Asked to Be Here on Apple Podcasts.
Book by Avery-Jean Brennan
Music & Lyrics by Camila Diaz-Varela
Directed by desirée leverenz
Music Direction by Laura Barrett
The Sun and The Moon, overseeing everything that happens in our little solar system, guide the Listener through a tale of friendship, grief, and ice cream cakes. They tell the story of Quinn, an anxious, introverted now-30 year old, as they struggle to throw their own birthday party for the very first time. While waiting for guests to arrive, Quinn is confronted by memories of their ex-best friend Michael T., the wisdom of 11-year-old Lacey, and imagined scenarios of their inner demons, in an attempt to determine if their life is truly worth being celebrated. Oh, and to answer the age old question – Does anyone STILL wear a hat?
Content Advisory: This podcast contains strong language.
For the Nobody Asked to Be Here programme, click here.
For the Nobody Asked to Be Here Resource Page, click here.
Creative Team
Director: desirée leverenz
Associate Director: Shira Bodnar
Music Director: Laura Barrett
Assistant Music Director: Preston Free Cooper*
Associate Dramatruge: Ally Chozik
Stage Manager: Colin Tatlock
*Chill Beats Theme composed by Preston Free Cooper
Musicians
Drums: alaska B
Guitar: Haneul Yi
Piano: Nick Dourado
Cast
Lacey: Chantalyne Beausoleil
Unseen Voice 1/Friend: Shira Bodnar
Quinn: Max Borowski
Popeye’s Emplyee/Spouse: Ally Chozik
Child 2/Parent: Jillian Cooper
Moon: Preston Free Cooper
Sun: Kenzie Drover
Tracey: Raeff Fontaine
Unseen Voice 2/Michael B./Child 1: Matthieu Handfield
Doctor: Maya Harris-Harb
Alexa: Emma Jääskeläinen
Michael T.: Jay Mosher
Stacey: Honey Pham
Birth-Giver: Juliette Schroeder
Ice Cream Demon: Ryan Sutherland
Rooted: A Musical Poem
Click here to listen to Rooted: A Musical Poem on Spotify
Click here to listen to Rooted: A Musical Poem on Apple Podcasts.
Book, music, and lyrics by Jewelle Blackman
Directed by Alison Wong
Music Direction by Alexandra Kane
For the Rooted: A Musical Poem programme, click here.
“Rooted…what does it mean to me?
To be stuck in the ground like this tree”
Rooted: A Musical Poem is a contemporary fable for the ages. It begs the question what does it mean to be rooted and how does our idea of being rooted change as we grow. With R’n’B rhythms and soaring strings this magical tale is brought to life in the heart of Central Park.
Creative Team
Director: Alison Wong
Music Director: Alexandra Kane
Assistant Music Director/Music Teacher: Annika Tupper
Stage Manager: Kate Hunter
Musicians
Bass: Erik Larson
Cello: Erika Nielsen
Violin: Gemma Donn
Cast
Woman/Narrator: Elysia Cruz
Girl (young adult): Tkaia Green
Woman 2/Mother: Bambi Kotus
Dad/Branches: Jude Levy
Voice Over/Branches: Eric Martin
Son: Ben McIntyre-Ridd
Girl (child): Julia Pulo
Branches: Tori Robertson
Branches: Annick Robledo
Tree: Annika Tupper
Branches: Mara Turenne
Branches: Hunter Love Watson
–
MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE
- A workshop with the creators and students will first take place in October 2021
- Rehearsal for all three new musicals will begin in January 2022
- An audio recording of the new works will be recorded in February 2022.
- Three new musicals will be released in April 2022.
–