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Writing a Musical for Kids - Page 2

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When writing any musical production, the song is always an extension of the character and his/her feelings. The songs replace what would be spoken dialogue in a regular play. Songs can be narrative and allow the character to help the plot progress; songs can be emotional outlets for your characters’ feelings and songs can be used to allow characters to interact with one another in a production number. Often, musicals have a finale that features many or most of the cast.

There are many great sites on the internet that offer writers valuable information on writing for children, whether in the genre of theatre or short story or many others. Other sites allow teachers of theatre downloadable scripts and stories that can be of value to the aspiring children’s writer as well. Knowing children’s tastes and reading or experiencing scripts and stories by other professional writers is the best way to explore this fulfilling type of writing.

On the web, try the following sites:

http://www.writing4kids.com http://www.childrensmusic.org/keith.html http://www.storiestogrowby.com/script.ht... http://home.earthlink.net/~baymax/ http://byu.edu/tma/arts-ed/units/unithom... http://www.chdramaworkshop.homestead.com... http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/RTE.html

Also, go to your local library and browse around in the children’s department for a while. You probably won’t find too many plays, but you will get some insight into the types of stories kids are reading.

But, most of all, test out your material on children by offering free play readings, or offering to do an acting workshop, using one of your original pieces. Seeing and hearing the actors often directs the writer to change awkward dialogue or gives birth to new ideas and concepts.

If you enjoy writing, and you love kids, writing a children’s musical can be a wonderful experience with many rewards.

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