top of page

MONTREAL 2018/19

The CMTWC Montreal Writers Workshop is Canada’s premier training program for emerging musical theatre songwriters, and the first program of its kind in Quebec. In this unique course, students will learn the craft of musical theatre songwriting in an intimate and nurturing environment.

 

Students receive world-class training from renowned Canadian musical theatre composer and lyricist Jonathan Monro, in addition to high profile special guest speakers. 

 

This exclusive program is open to musical theatre composers, lyricists, and composer-lyricists from across Canada.

 

Topics covered include: rhyme, scansion, song form (AABA, verse/chorus), duets, and ensembles. The course culminates in the creation of original 10-minute musical.

 

A showcase of material created in the workshop will be presented in Spring 2019 (subject to change).

 

The workshop meets bi-weekly (location TBD) and will be held on the following dates (subject to change):

  • October 22

  • November 5, 19

  • December 10, 17

  • January 21

  • February 4, 18

  • March 4, 18

  • April 15

 

The fee for the workshop is $550.

 

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

 

For further information, please contact us at office@cmtwc.com.

The CMTWC Toronto Writers Workshop

class of 2016-17 with Leslie Arden.

Testimonials

"The CMTWC Writer's Workshop was an exceptional opportunity and helped to fill a significant void in my training (which is limited to classical conservatory music theory and performance). The workshop started off with the basic conventions of musical theatre writing, then became a 'masterclass'-style series of lessons that allowed us to develop our writing voice with immediate critical feedback. They say that the more you learn, the more you realize how little you know. If that is the case, then I am the Jon Snow of musical theatre. ... It has been like a diving board into the deep end: exhilarating, terrifying, and the opportunity for me to stretch outside my comfort zone and see what I am capable of. Leslie is a phenomenal teacher, and our guest instructors each brought their own unique perspective to the program. Leslie is exceedingly patient and generous, but also offers constructive criticism that is tailored to each participant's individual ability. She knows what stage of development each one of us is at, and she encourages us accordingly."

 

- Deanna Choi (2016/17 participant)

"The workshop was an unbelievable experience! Interacting with the incredible guest artists, and with the other talented participants was both instructive and motivational. My final project even ended up being produced in a National Festival."

 

- Trevor Curran (2016/17 participant)

"The best thing about the Writers Workshop was receiving insightful, detailed feedback from acclaimed writers like Leslie Arden and guest instructors. The Workshop gave participants the rare chance to be in the room with these experts (thank you, Landon and Joseph, for that). Also, for me personally, I don’t have the triple threat skills to pursue a career as a musical theatre performer, so I was inspired and motivated by the energy, enthusiasm and raw talent of my fellow Workshop participants each class."

 

- Heidi Stock (2016/17 participant)

Faculty

Born and raised in St. John's, JONATHAN MONRO is an actor, pianist, musical director, and composer, whose most recent work is The Hockey Sweater: A Musical, written with Emil Sher. Jonathan was MD for the Canadian Premieres of The Sparrow and the Angel (Segal Centre), Fun Home (Vancouver Arts Club), and The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (Segal Centre), on which he also co-produced the cast album with Alan Menken. He trained at BMI New York’s Lehman Engel Workshop, and won their Harrington Award for Outstanding Writing. Jonathan was Musical Associate to Charles Strouse (composer of Annie) and Richard Maltby (Lyricist of Miss Saigon), and was mentored by Adam Guettel (The Light in the Piazza). He has been musical director on over 30 productions, and has been an actor in over 75 productions, from TV/film to the Stratford Festival, to Broadway. Jonathan began his career as a classical pianist with a performance at Carnegie Hall at the age of 16. He resides in Montreal and is currently learning how to paint. www.jonathanmonrostudio.com

bottom of page