Jason Robert Brown Develops New Musical in “Connecting with The Connector” Atelier Course

A male and a female performer sitting on stools with their heads turned to each other. Both performers are in front of the piano and behind their own microphones and music stands, with the man singing and the woman smiling.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

Jason Robert Brown playing the piano with students behind him.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

A group of 11 singers performing behind their own microphones and music stands in rows. There is a band behind them with a pianist, two guitarists, and a drummer.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

A man singing with a microphone and music stand in front of him. His fist is raised and he has a compassionate expression on his face.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

Six performers singing in front of the piano, each behind microphones and music stands. Two performers are in the foreground.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

Three performers singing while looking to their right. All are in front of their own microphones and music stands, with their hands raised miming the act of raising a glass up.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

Four performers behind their own microphones and music stands, all in front of the piano. One performer is in the foreground with his elbows out and hands at shoulder level.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

Four performers singing behind microphones and music stands, with the band behind them, including two guitarists.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

A performer behind a microphone, singing with a passionate expression on his face while having his arms raised and outstretched.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

Five performers each at separate microphones with music stands in front of them and a drummer behind them. Two performers are in the foreground, one looking at the other who has a winter hat on.

Photo by Kim Ilkowski

During the “Connecting with The Connector” fall 2018 Princeton Atelier course, students had the unique opportunity to work with Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown on his new work, The Connector. In partnership with the McCarter Theatre Center, students followed the trajectory of an original musical in development through a series of professional workshops culminating with a final presentation on December 14, 2018, in the Drapkin Studio.

Throughout the semester students worked alongside professional actors and musicians, McCarter’s producing and artistic team, and Brown’s collaborators including playwright Jonathan Marc Sherman and director Daisy Prince. Many discussions focused on the nature of collaboration in the development of new musical theater, both on- and off-stage, shedding light on how and why it takes time (often years) for original work to develop. Other discussion topics included the benefits of a “creative sandbox” and the multiple phases in which to explore, debate, experiment and embrace risk.

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