The Solo Show Musical is an emerging genre for Singer/Songwriters to showcase their original songs in a whole new way. Actors have been doing Solo Shows for years. They got sick of waiting for parts their whole life, and took their careers into their own hands by writing the perfect story and parts for themselves. There are tons of Solo Show festivals and productions out there but not many of them are done by singer/songwriters and thus not many of them include music or original music for that matter. So it’s time for Singer/songwriters to get in on the act.
I want to start by telling you what a Solo Show Musical isn’t. I’m not talking about an acoustic set where an artist plays solo, without a band. I’m not talking about a cabaret where a solo artist features cover songs like “A Night of Beatles.” I’m not talking about creating a set of separate stories to frame your songs.
What I am talking about is creating a theatrical experience that uses storytelling and song to capture the hearts of your audience and take them on a journey. You will create an overarching storyline just like a Broadway show with your original songs inserted within the script. You will use the material from your own personal life to develop this story and it will be powerful for you and the audience. You will develop a 60-90 minute script that contains approximately 10 of your original songs. You will develop theatrical elements by learning some simple acting tips to bring some characters to life. Adding simple props, sets and lighting cues also brings the stage and your story to life!
No worries. This will not become a complicated production. The whole point is that your Solo Show must be accessible and easy to travel with. While the theatrical elements enhance the show, the focus of a Solo Show is always on the power of the human story.
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