Carson Kreitzer is a playwright, lyricist, and librettist. Her musical LEMPICKA, co-written with Matt Gould and directed by Rachel Chavkin, ran at the Longacre Theater on Broadway in 2024. The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Lempicka is available on CD, and on all streaming platforms. Carson’s lifelong mission to center the stories of “troublesome women” feels particularly important in this moment, as the stories of women and minorities are being intentionally removed from federal websites. In addition, for the past decade her work has been increasingly involved with the climate crisis, including her plays green and TIMEBOMB, as well as works-in-process Svalbard and The Trash Project, inspired by her time sailing with a group of artists in the Arctic Circle and Greenland. Her plays include The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Rosenthal New Play Prize, Stavis Award), The Slow Drag (New York and London), and Lasso of Truth (NNPN Rolling World Premiere). She is a member of the Dramatists Guild, an alumna of New Dramatists, an Affiliated Writer with The Playwrights’ Center, and was the first Playwrights of New York (PoNY) Fellow at the Lark. A Guggenheim and MacDowell fellow, she has also received support from the NEA, TCG, the Jerome and McKnight Foundations, and the Jonathan Larson Award. Her collection SELF DEFENSE and other plays is available from No Passport Press.
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION
In this craft-focused seminar, students will explore the art of lyric writing from the inside out. Designed for lyricists, book writers, and composers, as well as anyone “songwriting-curious”, this session dives into the difference between poetry on the page, and language that is specifically designed to be sung. As a playwright who moved into lyric and libretto writing, I will bring my own, idiosyncratic journey with songwriting collaboration, and some of what I’ve learned along the way. We will touch on the importance of vowels, and the power of simplicity, as well as larger structural concerns, such as the way lyrics can reveal character, shape emotional arcs, and move the plot forward—all while staying musically compelling. We’ll also discuss the collaborative nature of musical theatre and share strategies for working effectively with composers, and the rest of the creative team. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your lyrical voice or bridge the gap between book and song, this seminar offers practical tools and fresh insights from a lyricist’s point of view.
This class is for you if you:
- You’re a writer curious about how to begin writing lyrics.
- You’re an experienced or aspiring lyricist looking to deepen your craft.
- You’re a composer or composer/lyricist interested in lyric-driven storytelling.
- You’re a book writer aiming to better understand how songs function in a musical.
- You’re involved in musical theatre and want to improve your collaboration skills.
- Are interested in learning more about Carson’s work and approach to writing.
What to expect:
- Exploration of how lyrics can reveal character, shape emotional arcs, and move plot.
- Discussion on the importance of vowels, simplicity, and musicality in lyric writing.
- Strategies for effective collaboration with composers and creative teams.
- Close study of influential musical theatre songs and what makes them work.
- Lively conversation, Q&A, and a shared passion for words and music.
Music is a mainline to emotion. It can sneak past our rational defenses. I am eternally amazed at the sheer efficiency and power of a song to communicate, and to crack us open. Words paired with melody can make them indelible in the mind. It is alchemy; it is magic. It is long, difficult hours working to create something that feels effortless. It is worth every minute.
A warning to playwrights: Once you have heard your words sung, transformed with music, you will never again be content to write for the speaking voice alone.
Carson Kreitzer
