Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces How to Write a Musical That Works: Conflict and Obstacles, the second part of a 3-part virtual feedback lab. This one is set for Sunday, October 25, 2026 from noon through 6:30PM ET. Sign up for the workshop at https://truonline.org/events/2026-virtual-feedback-workshop-2/.

This workshop is dedicated to fostering a conversation about musical theater structure not only for writers but also for producers, directors and everyone involved in the creation and production of new works. Each workshop accepts up to 9 writing teams and/or producers who share works in progress and get feedback from a panel of expert evaluators.

In “Part 2: Conflict and Obstacles” we will focus on three main aspects of your show: 1) Songs that express differing points of view, or conflict; 2) “Turnaround Songs” in which a character changes his course of action; 3) Plot complications that keep your characters from achieving their wants, and drive the action forward; in particular, the climactic moment (sometimes the first act finale) that drives us forward into the resolution.

Due to the virtual issues of lag and latency, we need writers to record and edit any musical presentations that involve more than one singer. We have a team of tech advisors to help you: music directors and editors who will be available to play and record your tracks, and in some cases may be able to edit duets, trios and ensemble numbers.
You may, of course, use your own music director, editor or other resources to help you produce a professional presentation.
We do NOT need a recorded presentation when you submit, only when you are accepted.
Writers and/or producers are invited to submit no more than the 25 pages of a show you are working on, plus mp3s of the songs within those pages that demonstrate conflict. These pages should be well after the opening number and the introduction of the main characters and their wants – think of it as the middle third of the show.

Click for application as a writable PDF: TRUBeginnings-HWMusical2-newapp3
fill it out, and email to TRUPlaySubmissions@gmail.com –
submission fee is $10 for TRU members, $20 for non-members.
Submission deadline Wednesday 10/07/25.

Our professional panel of producers, directors and writers will include:
Cheryl Davis, Kleban and Larsen Award winning librettist and lyricist (Barnstormer), Audelco Award winning playwright (Maid’s Door), general counsel for The Author’s Guild;
Skip Kennon, composer/lyricist (Herringbone, Don Juan DeMarco, Time and Again), former artistic coordinator of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and teacher for two decades;
Tamra Pica, network and streaming TV, film and theater producer, producer and casting director of Write Act Repertory;
John Sparks, founder/co-director of the Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, former artistic director of ANMT/NMI, founder WritersWorkshop at Theatre Building Chicago.

Bob Ost, playwright-composer-lyricist, producer and executive director of Theater Resources Unlimited will facilitate with TRU literary manager Owen Cahill.