2024 Libretto Writing Course

Have you ever wanted to write the text for an opera, or a series of songs to be set by a composer? Are you a composer interested in writing your own libretti and lyrics? Do you have a great idea for a musical but aren’t sure how to get started with it? Are you a singer wanting to write song texts for yourself? In Guerilla Opera’s 4-week Summer Libretto Lab program, we’ll explore script writing through the lens of opera, giving you the opportunity to develop new writing tools and approaches, gain experience in writing for the voice, learn how to create characters, and explore a variety of storytelling forms. Writers (ages 18+) of all levels of experience are welcome! 

Using writing exercises, group discussion, and author-centered workshopping techniques in an inclusive and encouraging environment, participants will develop an outline for a short opera, write the text for an aria and a duet or ensemble section, and create a path for moving forward with their project after the 4-week course ends, including potentially continuing with Guerilla Opera’s 9-month Writers’ Collective Course. We’ll discuss inspiration and adaptation, language, forces, and presentation in opera, as well as learn about working collaboratively with composers and performers. We’ll have guest speakers from the opera industry, “Open Mic Nights” to share your work, and opportunities to meet 1:1 with one of our resident librettists for personalized suggestions and feedback. Throughout, we’ll be informed by Guerilla Opera’s mission of using opera to challenge the status quo, address social issues, empower performers from marginalized groups, and bring the stories of marginalized historical or fictional figures to light. 

While this Lab will focus on libretto creation specific to opera, you don’t have to be an “opera librettist” to apply. All artists seeking inspiration in writing text to be set to music are encouraged to participate including librettists, poets, playwrights, filmmakers, composers, stage directors, dramaturgs, vocalists, instrumentalists, designers, etc. No previous writing experience is required–activities and discussions will be designed to meet the inclusive needs of every participant based on their expressed interests and experience level. This course has no prerequisites, and we encourage all who are interested to apply! We especially encourage female-identifying, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC writers to apply and we offer need-based subsidies to these groups as available.

Feel free to bring ideas and specific concepts to discussions and exercises, but you don’t need to have a “pitch” or any other prerequisites to take this class. The Lab is intended to be a positive space where participants can come up with ideas, discuss them with one another, and support one another in developing them. It’s a space to practice and experiment freely with writing. 

Multi-lingual participants are encouraged to apply, but sessions will be facilitated in English.

Important Information

Sessions & Duration: Four (4) weekly, 2-hr online sessions

Days & Times: Mondays (8-10PM EST ) | Tuesdays (8-10PM EST)

Monday Cohort: Aug 5, 12, 19, 26

Tuesday Cohort: Aug 6, 13, 20, 27

Deadline to apply: Monday, June 24, 2024, 11:59PM EST

Notification: Monday, July 8, 2024, 11:59PM EST

Participant Fee: $269

Payment Due: Monday, July 22, 2024

This is a popular workshop, so we need payment either in full or in part to secure your spot in the workshop.

Additional Course Dates

In addition to the weekly meetings, we will also offer several Open Mic Nights throughout the summer session! This is an opportunity for participants in both sections to come together and share their work and celebrate our community! The Open Mic Nights are scheduled for the following dates and will take place over Zoom:

• Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 8-10pm EST

• Friday, August 30, 2024, from 8-10pm EST

Subsidies/Scholarships: We offer subsidies (scholarships) to any culturally or socially underrepresented participant based on expressed need and as funds are available. Indicate in your application if you need a subsidy and we’ll reach out to you directly!

With respect to our extraordinary teaching artists, we cannot offer these classes for free.

To receive a 50% refund of the total tuition, participants must cancel 7 days before the first class start date. There are no refunds for late cancellations or dropouts.

What to expect:

We build a safe and vital space for creative ideas to be nurtured as part of a creative community. The Lab allows for peer-learning, valuable critical response and feedback, and hands-on group exercises, discussions, and process-driven activities where each participant will grow and evolve their own individual practice. This is an anti-racist and anti-bigotry program.

Estimated weekly time commitment

• Co-Learning – 2 hours

• Independent Study – 3 to 5 hours

• 1:1 Consultation with Guest Librettist - 0.5+ hours

• Total = 5 to 7 hours weekly

Each participant will:

• Develop an outline for a new short form opera work

• Develop text for at least one arias

• Develop text for at least one duet and/or ensemble

• Explore character development work

• Have temporary access to Guerilla Opera’s full video archive

 Additional discussion topics include:

• Approaches to creating:

  • Original libretti

  • Libretti from adapted literature

  • Libretti from auto-biography or historical events

• Discussions with composers and librettists from Guerilla Opera’s exciting repertoire.

• Methods for critical response

• Writing for the voice

• Story telling aesthetics for the stage

• Inclusivity and diversity in opera, including:

• Representation in the opera itself

• Representation on stage and among performers

• Engaging with diverse audiences 

• Working with companies of varying means

• Accessibility

• Collaboration with composers and performers

Technical Requirements:

Access to a computer, laptop or smartphone with video, and a reliable internet connection are the technical requirements for the program. 

Format:

Guerilla Libretto Lab Creatives will meet in video conferences via Zoom. We will use breakout rooms to share and practice with each other. Program materials will come from your instructor and be shared using Google Docs and other online resource-sharing programs.

Creatives will be expected to complete writing, research, and other activities as assigned by the instructor between sessions so co-learning time can be used for new topics, discussions, and sharing.

Curriculum:

Week 1: Narrative Structures and Methods of Author-Centered Critique
Week 2: Researching a Topic and Developing Plot and Character
Week 3: Researching a Topic and Developing Plot and Character
Week 4: Revising, Editing, and Dramaturgy

About Guerilla Labs:

We want to amplify your unique perspective in our community and give you the ability to share the art forms you love with your community. Our vision is to examine the world through culturally focused and contemporary lenses. We especially encourage female-identifying artists, LGBTQ+ artists, and BIPOC artists to apply and offer need-based subsidies to these groups as available!

Guerilla Opera is the premiere ensemble for new opera in the Boston area and one of the first in the country to exclusively commission new works. For us, art-making is a collaborative process. Our Libretto Lab supports and helps writers explore the libretto- and lyric-writing part of opera development in depth.

Questions? Email programs@guerillaopera.org.