When to email a songwriter about a potential musical theatre

[nathangeorge99]

I am an aspiring scriptwriter, and I am in the process of writing the script of a musical that I have come up with myself. However, I am not a songwriter or composer, and want to collaborate with someone who can put lyrics, and possibly music in the show. I have written about 65-75% of the script for the show and I was just wondering when the best time in the writing process was to send an initial email to a potential songwriting partner? Would it be good to do it now, or should I wait until I have a full initial draft script written?

[Seriously]

Do it now. No composer wants to be handed a completed show and be asked to just slip a few songs between the scenes. They want to be an integral part of progressing the plot and the action, which is a bit late when the entire show's been written.

And as they say, great shows aren't written, they're rewritten.

[singularsensation10]

The very nature of the genre is that the lyrics and the music drive the plot forward - so if the script is fully written before the lyrics are added, it is likely they will not be able to drive the plot forward. Songs need to be placed at parts in the story where the character cannot express themselves anymore so they need to sing to continue to be able to express themselves. I’d contact the composer sooner rather than later to be able to work together to fully realise the plot. Good luck!!

[pianowithsam]

I’ve done a bit of musical theatre writing if you’d like to message.
Would love to hear your ideas ☺️

[Deleted]

It also depends if you want a lyricist and a composer or one person to do both or would you look to put your own lyrics into the show possibly working with a composer?

If you need a lyricist then they need to be onboard ASAP so they can see what has been scripted and know where songs will go, what needs to be put across in the lyrics. The composer could then be given the lyrics and the story and build in their parts.