JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets I’ve written tons of songs for musicals over the past 16+ years, and many of you have taken that to mean that songs just pop out of me…but that’s not quite how it works. Yes, I have a process that I follow efficiently, but it never really gets any easier. But, since so many of you have asked, here is the exact process I use to write songs for musical theatre - whether working alone or with a collaborator!

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets Every musical theatre writer needs a coach or a mentor. Yes, all of us. You need a knowledgeable and informed set of eyes and ears that are removed enough from the material that they can provide precise and objective feedback…and who also knows enough about the project to be fully invested in its ultimate successes. But what does this person actually do for you? Let’s take a look!

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets In this video Part 2 video of a 2-Part series, we dig into some music theory, which composers either seem to love or hate. Music theory is just providing you with a set of tools you can either choose to use or ignore, but some of those tools we all kind of have to use - they’re foundational. Other tools, however, when you choose to use them in your musicals to help tell the story can provide a feeling for the audience that is akin to magic.

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets In this video Part 1 video of a 2-Part series, we dig into some music theory, which composers either seem to love or hate. Music theory is just providing you with a set of tools you can either choose to use or ignore, but some of those tools we all kind of have to use - they’re foundational. Other tools, however, when you choose to use them in your musicals to help tell the story can provide a feeling for the audience that is akin to magic.

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets When you hear lyrical scansion being talked about in musical theatre, you probably think about things like proper word accenting and emphasis. But it actually goes so much deeper than simply making sure the words are emphasized on the music in the same way they would be spoken. You have to take into account the intentions of the characters, your intentions as a writer, subtext, and a whole host of other elements that scan in musical theatre songs as well. But if you are a able to piece it all together in a way that is cohesive and makes sense, your audiences will be utterly transported.

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets Creating an entire musical world for your musical can sound extremely daunting. How do you create both development and environment, all while telling the story purely through the music? There’s a little-known technique to do this that isn’t often talked about, and this technique that has helped me create musical worlds for all sort of shows. You want in?

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets If you are writing a musical with another person, you *need* a Collaboration Agreement. No question. Without a Collaboration Agreement in place, there are many things that can go very wrong, costing you time, money, collaborators, and even the ownership of your work. Here are the basic things you need to know about these agreements so you can be informed and make sure you avoid those costly mistakes.

"Emmaline" from "The Witching Hours" by Michael Radi and Patrick Spencer Performed by Michael Radi Drums - Chris Beller Guitar - Lennon Hu Cello - Megan Rayl Performed as part of the "Collective Transformation: New Works from the Musical Theatre Writing Collective" cabaret fundraiser at The Green Room 42 on 2/22/25, supporting Transgender Law Center. Music Direction by Sharon Ahn Direction by Keith Andrews Produced by Michael Radi, Amy Andrews, Aaron Michael Krueger, Kat Brannan-Williams, Stephanie Fisher and Julie Richardson "The Witching Hours" is a semi-autobiographical one-act pop-punk musical about transness, witchcraft, ancestry, healing from trauma, and choosing to fully embrace your authentically self. With the frame of a pop punk band's release party for their first "sellout" album - tinged with bitterness, excitement, eerie atmosphere, and a touch of the occult - this musical explores the journey of healing from a past you can't outrun, no matter how hard you try. Through the lens of a gender revelation, we are brought into the protagonist's world as they come face to face with everything they thought they could keep bottled up as it explodes out of them and into their music, reverberating across the space and everyone immersed in its wake. JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets Writing musical theatre songs with a pop song structure doesn’t work quite the way that you might think it does. A lot of writers seem to think that just because it’s a song form we are all familiar with from popular music that it’s easier to write into a musical. But often, it’s harder because you may be missing one or two critical ingredients. So let’s make sure that you’re not making those mistakes so your songs actually work!

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets There are two major song forms in contemporary musical theatre that you need to know and not nearly enough people are talking about. For our purposes, we’re going to call them the Macro-AABA and the Micro-AABA. They are like the 32-bar AABA chorus form…but also not. These forms are flexible and grounded, and easily allow for contemporary vocal styles and tuneful melodies. So, I think it’s safe to say that you do not want to miss out on knowing and using them.

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets Are you skipping right over using one of the most effective song structures in musical theatre? Now to be fair, it’s one that many writers report as being particularly difficult to write well. But it’s an incredibly effective musical song structure for convincing and for tunefulness. Today we return to the 32-bar chorus in its other major form in part 2 of our 4-part song structure series, with the often-misunderstood: ABAB / ABAC.

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets You can make your musical theatre songwriting life so much easier by understanding and using this classic song structure. We are taking it all the way back to the origins of musical theatre writing to the classic that started it all: the AABA 32-Bar Chorus. If it has stuck around this long, then must work extremely well. But how? And why? And how can you use it?

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets We all know the classic adage, “Good artists borrow, great artists steal,” but if you’re always borrowing and stealing…then what is actually yours? Every writer longs to find their own unique voice and style, and often while trying to emulate the quality of those who inspired them. So how do we learn from our teachers, mentors, and idols while also creating a voice that is unique and special to us and only us?

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets How much script is too much in a musical? How much music is too much? And how can you determine what your show needs when there are examples of all types out there? Let’s explore how to look at balancing the book, music, and lyrics, and what you should keep in mind as you write your next musical.

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets What makes a musical theatre song great? Whether we’re talking about “Tonight” from West Side Story, “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret, “What I Did for Love” from A Chorus Line, “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, or “Wait For Me” from Hadestown, there are ingredients to all of these songs that make them stand out. Let’s break down each of these elements and explore how you might use them to make the next wave of great musical theatre songs!

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets Discover the secret to creating unforgettable musical theatre characters that leave audiences wanting more! In this video, we'll dive into the world of character development and explore techniques used by successful musical theatre creators to craft characters that resonate with audiences - from understanding your character's motivations to developing unique traits. Whether you're a librettist, composer, or lyricist, this video is packed with valuable insights to help you create characters that will be etched in the minds of your audience long after the curtain falls. So, get ready to bring your characters to life and make them unforgettable!

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets The question that haunts every musical theatre writer at least once in their career: "Cut it or keep it?” Songs take a lot of time and effort and energy to create, and we pour our blood, sweat, and tears into this process. So, how do you know when to cut a song and when to keep it in? Here are 10 questions to ask yourself before making this critical decision.

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets How often do you have a new musical idea and wonder…is this any good? Ideas for musicals can come fast and most are immediately dismissed, so you may find yourself accumulating a list of ideas that grows longer and longer. But how do you know which of these ideas is actually worth pursuing?? Here is my 8 Step Process for making this incredibly important and early decision!

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets In order to write a great and impactful lyric for musical theatre, lyricists have to juggle a lot of various goals and tasks. A great lyric needs to move the plot forward or develop characters while being specific to the language and needs of the world, maintaining proper scansion, adhering to a rhyme scheme, build and develop, and all while also being entertaining…Easy, right? Let’s break down the process so that you can use it to make great lyrics for your musicals!

JOIN US in the Musical Theatre Writing Collective! https://www.michaelradi.com/musical-theatre-writing-collective DOWNLOAD the FREE PDF of the North Star Question Sets: https://michael-radi.mykajabi.com/north-star-question-sets Over the past 16 years that I’ve been writing musical theatre, I am have learned an incredible amount of lessons and information through my experiences. There have been triumphs and joys, and there have also been failures and losses. Whether you're a seasoned creative, a passionate enthusiast, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes magic of musical theatre, this video will offer insights to inspire and remind you that none of us are on this path alone. As we celebrate my 100th regular video release on this channel, join me as I take you through the highlights and lowlights - and everything I learned along the way - across 15+ years of writing for the musical theatre.