What it really takes – 3 things you must have

One of the hardest thresholds to cross in doing a Solo Show Musical is starting.  There are so many unknowns.  How do you know if you’re ready or have what it takes.  Hopefully this video blog will give you some information and answer some questions so you can make The Big Decision and move forward.

So the first ingredient in having what it takes to write a Solo Show Musical is being a Singer/songwriter with a body of work and some experience.  Maybe you’ve been gigging for years and just want a change.  Or maybe you’re a Singer/Songwriter that has a bigger story than your songs can tell.  Maybe you have already begun to see a story thread in your songs.  Or maybe you have no idea what your story is.  That’s ok too.  As long as you have a body of work that can act as a jumping off point that is all you need.

The second ingredient is having an open heart and mind.  You need to be willing to excavate the story you most deeply need to tell.  Excavating the telling the story requires willingness to be vulnerable, exposing your heart.  A willingness to see yourself as a character in a play and suspend just a bit of reality for the more theatrical parts of your story.  It’s a memoire on steroids!  Willingness to grow your creativity from songwriter to playwright.  Allowing creativity to flow through you.  

The third ingredient is a willingness and ability to make a commitment both in time and energy.  Creating a Solo Show Musical requires attention.  Having the time and the weekly commitment to this process is key.  It’s not overwhelming and doesn’t have to overtake your whole life but steady effort needs to be applied.  A certain amount of intensity is helpful otherwise the project loses its energy.  A commitment to writing and performing the piece with the deadline of one year is a great guideline.  

So remember –  you don’t need is a script, or even a solid story idea. But you do need a body of songs that we can use to as a springboard to flush out the story you most deeply need to tell.  You also need an open heart and mind and the time and ability to make a commitment to this large scale project. It is so worth it!   You will be so rewarded!