What makes a successful writing team?
Addressing conflict is key to a successful collaboration.
Writing teams are the bread and butter of musical theatre. It’s one of the reasons we love making musicals so much: collaboration is intrinsic to any process.
Collaboration is exciting, inspiring, and often surprising. It can lead to unexpected choices and pushing the boundaries of your own creativity. However, collaboration is also hard work.
Ahead of our Collaborating workshop with Marlow & Moss (SIX) we’ve been thinking about what makes successful writing teams and researching how other writing duos make it work.
Pasek / Paul
Pasek and Paul are the musical writing duo that is responsible for bringing the world Dear Evan Hanson and The Greatest Showman.
Michael Paulson of the New York Times writes…
“They compare themselves to brothers, who bicker and bond, knowing their relationship will endure. A recent fight, over whose bad habits were to blame for their difficulty replacing the final first act song in “Dear Evan Hansen,” sent Mr. Pasek stalking out of their Columbus Circle studio into the street, but then, 10 minutes later, calling Mr. Paul for a lengthy air-clearing that prompted the pair to ditch the disputed number and start over.”
Sometimes, starting over is all you can do!
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/theater/benj-pasek-justin-paul-dear-evan-hansen.html
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul: the writers behind ‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Sankoff/Hein
Sankoff/Hein are the writing duo, couple, and parents, behind Canada’s Come From Away. In a conversation with Paolo Alto Online, the couple said...
"It's a challenge raising a child at the time you're raising new musicals. There's a lot about being married and being parents that prepares you for conflict resolution. We have a lot of tools under our belt," Hein said. "We don't talk about the show when we're hungry and tired and try not to in bed."
"I'm still trying to find that work life balance. There is no balance: We take it day by day and do the best we can," Sankoff added.
Never try to fix a show on an empty stomach!
https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2017/08/09/from-the-top
Sondheim / Lapine
Sondheim and Lapine are prolific writers both together and apart. They worked together on Sunday in the Park with George, Merrily We Roll Alone, Into The Woods and Passion.
On writing with Sondheim, Lapine says…
"For the most part [...] writing a musical with someone else is so much “silly fun. Stimulating, and he’s so funny, and we enjoy each other’s company. And there’s real excitement to it. It never feels like work.” How would conflict be resolved? “Easily. He always said whoever cares most, wins. We’ve never had an argument. Never. The nice thing about the theatre is you can always change it. With a movie, once it’s there, you’re stuck with it.”
Remember: you can always change it!
Learn More:
Want to learn more about collaboration? Join us for a workshop with Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss (SIX) on Thursday 10th June, 6:30pm BST.
Marlow & Moss are a prolific writing duo, with their smash-hit first musical SIX running in the West End, on Broadway, and all over the world. Find out about their writing process at ‘Collaborating with Marlow & Moss’.
Looking for the Sondheim to your Lapine? Come along to our Speed Collabor-dating event on Wednesday 30th June 8pm BST.