The Musical Writing Lab
A 12-Month Musical Development Lab for Writers Building New Work
Structured development. Industry-informed feedback. A clear path from concept to presentation.
Three development pathways. One guided process.
The program starts June 1st
See the Structure & Choose Your Path
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The CreateTheater Musical Writing Lab
12-Month Guided Development | Begins June 1, 2026
First Mondays, 8–10 PM ET
The Musical Writing Lab is a year-long development environment for writers creating new musicals.
It combines structured dramaturgy, peer feedback, and guided development toward clearer, stronger, and more performable work, taught by NYC musical industry professionals.
Writers enter the Lab through three development pathways based on where their work is in its lifecycle.
Foundation Track
Build and test the structure, entering the professional development process.
→ Learn the framework
→ Shape your material
→ Join the Lab pipeline
Development Track ⭐
Write and develop your musical in a professional environment.
→ Development groups
→ Ongoing feedback
→ Accelerated progress
Industry Residency
Prepare your musical for a professional NYC-industry presentation.
→ Selective cohort (up to 3)
→ NYC collaborators
→ Developmental reading
The 10 Plot Points of Musical Theater Structure
- Book + music architecture
- Structural development over time
- Production-aware feedback (how it plays, not just how it reads)
Writers leave the Lab with:
- Stronger structural clarity
- A more developed musical
- A clearer sense of what the work is
- A defined next step (development, submission, or presentation)
Most writers enter the Development Track.
Industry Residency is selective and project-specific.
The Industry Residency includes NYC-based development opportunities, including matched collaborators (actors and directors) and a culminating developmental reading designed to introduce the work to the New York theater community. (Residency limited to 3 projects)
The Musical Writing Lab begins June 1, 2026
How the Lab Works
- 12-month guided development
- Monthly full-lab sessions (structure + feedback)
- Ongoing writing support (depending on track)
- A clear framework: The 10 Plot Points
Three Ways Writers Move Through the Lab
Foundation = Learn the system
Development = Build the musical
Industry = Prepare it for the field
Foundation Track
Build the structure. Enter the development pipeline.
$1,500
A year-long guided development lab for serious musical writers ready to build their project with clarity, structure, and professional intention.
This is where your musical begins to take shape inside a clear framework — supported by industry-informed feedback and a cohort of committed writers.
Includes:
- 12 monthly lab sessions (First Mondays, 8–10pm ET)
- The 10 Plot Points of Musical Theater Structure
- Book & music architecture focus
- Structural and dramaturgical feedback
- Industry and peer discussion
Plus:
- Eligibility for curated presentation opportunities within the CreateTheater development pipeline (up to three across the year) at no additional cost.
Best for:
Writers who want a serious, structured process and a pathway into development—without the pressure of weekly participation.
Development Track
Momentum + Creative Output
Build your musical through consistent writing and feedback, with bi-weekly progress.
$1,995
For writers who don’t just want to understand structure—but want to actively move their work forward every month. This is where your musical gets built and tested on a regular bi-weekly basis.
This track pairs the core lab with consistent development room accountability, giving you a place to test material, stay in motion, and deepen your work between the core monthly sessions.
Includes everything in Basic, plus:
- 2 facilitated development groups per month
- Ongoing home base to generate, share, and refine material
- Regular peer and facilitator feedback in a smaller working environment
Best for:
Writers who need momentum, accountability, and repetition to build and sustain a full musical.
Industry Residency
A 12-Month Developmental Residency for New Musicals with CreateTheater
$3,995 | Limited Cohort of 6 | June 2026 – May 2027
Develop, refine, and present your musical within a guided NYC-facing development process.
A selective, high-touch development cohort for musical teams preparing their musical to be seen.
This residency is designed for projects ready to move into a more focused professional pathway — working through a structured development process that culminates in a professional NYC AEA industry reading.
If you want your project to be ready for a top NYC Industry Reading, with a professional creative team and cast — this residency can get your there. You’ll receive experienced expert guidance every step of the way.
No more going it alone and no more paying for the unnecessary design components you would need for a showcase.
This is to make sure the work works first… in a highly competitive environment like the NYC theater community.
The Industry Residency includes everything in Development Track, plus:
- Weekly facilitated writing groups
- Defined development milestones across the year
- Ongoing dramaturgical support and iterative feedback
- Submission and development strategy guidance
- A developmental industry reading, which includes:
- Preparation and materials assistance
- Building a professional creative team
- Presentation space for up to three presentations
- Post-reading feedback and next-step discussion
Best for:
Writers ready to complete, refine, and position their musical for professional industry opportunities.
NOTE: Because of the nature of this residency, it is a highly-selective, limited to three projects each year.
Why Choose CreateTheater?
Where New Plays & Musicals Begin Their Professional Journey
CreateTheater® is a NYC theater company that develops new plays and musicals. We give you the artistic support, producing strategy, industry access, and professional community you need to bring your new work to life.
Dramaturgy. Producing. Development. Industry Access. One Home.
All Programs led by Industry Professionals
Projects developed under CreateTheater’s leadership have gone on to regional productions, New York productions, and Off-Broadway commercial runs.
Development groups offer a not only a producer’s perspective of the script, but the community also supports new work with expertise and encouragement.
Musical Writing Labs
CreateTheater been developing new musicals for over 15 years in NYC, and our musicals are being developed regionally, in NYC, and in London.. Our Musical Writing Labs offers both the Libretto Lab headed by Cate Cammarata and the Songwriting Lab, led by former BMI faculty Skip Kennon and composer Linda Bonadies, among other musical industry professionals.
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