Study and create the dramatic text of musical theater, the ‘book’ that creates characters, structure, and narrative thrust. Course starts with grounding in the basics of text-writing by studying outstanding examples of bookwriting, from Arthur Laurents’ Gypsy to Brian Yorkey’s Pulitzer-winning Next To Normal. Students write a series of short scenes (5-10 pages) to be read aloud and critiqued in class, with ultimate goal of completing an original or adapted book for a one-act musical (30-60 pages.) Instructor: Bell, Rogers