First Drafts, February 2022

Sheridan’s new works development program, First Drafts, is a platform that champions writers creating original musicals that break away from the Western canon of Musical Theatre. Each installment of the initiative supports three teams of writer/composers to generate 30 minutes of a new musical to be developed with and performed by Sheridan’s fourth year students. This writing development program perfectly encapsulates Sheridan’s dual interest in training exceptional musical theatre performers, and using our resources to create an engine for producing a more diverse canon of work, one that speaks to the issues we’re facing presently, and represents the stories of the next generation. This year we’re thrilled to be partnering with The Musical Stage Company, who are devoted to the expansion of new musical works, in order to strengthen our connection to what feels relevant in mainstream musical theatre, engage our students and invited artists in dialogue about how to expand their practice, and generate further connections for our writers and graduating performers with a company that represents a cornerstone of progress in the development of new Canadian musical theatre. Tiny Tenements of TerrorAfter 57 days in stasis, Aubry and 10 of Brooklyn\u27s finest cops must return to her dead boyfriend’s spore-infested apartment to destroy the multitude of plant-monsters he created. TINY TENEMENT OF TERRORS is an unholy fusion of gory 80’s sci fi and 1960’s camp, all done through the wonder of radio. Director: Jay Northcott Writer: Alaska B. Writer: Aaron Jan Music Director: Robert Steven Wilkinson Destination: Wedding!When a tropical storm descends on the island of Kapalaran, our nearlyweds are forced to move the beach wedding of their dreams indoors. This not-so-simple relocation immediately becomes the least of their problems. In the midst of a hurricane of drama and homicidal coconuts, our couple must let go of their best laid wedding plans and trust that their love will find a way through the storm. Director: Ann Hodges Associate Director: Jordan Laffrenier Writer: Kodie Rollan Writer: Jennifer Villaverde Writer: Maria Aragon Music Director: Stephan Ermel ParkdaleWelcome to 110 Parkdale Ave, the last subsidized low rise building in the neighbourhood. It\u27s special, but you can’t tell that from the outside. The building is far from perfect, but for the tenants who occupy its cracked walls and uneven floors, it’s home. When the tenants are faced with an eviction notice, they (reluctantly) step out of their bubbles to band together as a community in order to save their homes. Director: Julie Tomaino Writer: Meghan Swaby Writer: Chris Tsujiuchi Music: Alexa Belgravehttps://source.sheridancollege.ca/faad_visu_uniq_theatre/1194/thumbnail.jp