Ella’s Music Hall Highlights II
Happy Holidays, DGF Family!
Ella here, the DGF Music Hall Mascot! I’m delighted to be taking over the blog again to celebrate some more Music Hall Highlights. 
Every day we have artists at work in our beautiful space, and we are so proud to provide this resource, so writers may feel supported, inspired, and safe. To learn more about the Music Hall or to support the space and the writers within it, click here!
I wanted to show you some of the ways our community of writers use the Music Hall in their work. Be it readings, rehearsals, or reflections, no two bookings are ever the same within these walls.
Please enjoy some of my favorite moments from this season (and hold your appaws until the end!)
“The Dramatists Guild Foundation is the most remarkable resource for writers in NYC. With a beautiful space for rehearsals and performances with a grand grand piano offered at no cost, they make mounting a reading a fraction of the price. Thanks to DGF, I was able to produce a reading of my musical Love Quirks, and by some miracle enough potential producers and investors attended. We are very optimistic that we will open the show off-Broadway in 2020, and it is truly all thanks to DGF. Thank you DGF!”
– Seth Bisen-Hersh, Composer/Lyricist/Author/Accompanist/Vocal Coach/Cabaret Producer
Write Out Loud
Write Out Loud is a celebration of new musical theatre writers. Taylor Louderman (Mean Girls, Bring it On), Ben Rauhala (Broadway Princess Party), and Matt Rodin held a song-writing contest for emerging musical theatre writers. After receiving over 500 submissions, 5 winners were selected, receiving a fully produced music video and recording of their song by Warner Music Group.
When the team decided to grow the project from contest to concert featuring not only contest winners — Kailey Marshall, Joriah Fleming, India Angel, Brandon Michael Lowden, and Mackenzie Szabo– but also 8 other finalists and a cast of Broadway’s finest talents, they brought rehearsals to the Music Hall, facilitating meaningful work sessions between the performers and composers.
Write Out Loud is directed and hosted by Taylor Louderman and produced by Hannah Kloepfer with musical direction by Ben Rauhala. Submissions for Write Out Loud 2020 open on January 1st! We look forward to hearing this year’s new batch of talent!
Fail Better
Fail Better brought “Quiet Time” to the Music Hall. As the event description says, “haven’t found time to finish that script? Still need to memorize your lines? Want to catch up on your reading? Or maybe you just want to escape the noise of the city. WELL, COME ON DOWN TO (shh!)…*whispers* come on down to Fail Better Quiet Time.”
These were the rules of the day:
Upon entering, please observe the following:
-Allow silence.
-Enjoy your music at a low volume.
-Enter & exit as you please.
This exercise in collective quiet is such a unique take on community and accountability that so many creators need. We hope to see you again soon!
Athena Writes
Athena Theatre hosted their annual Playwriting Fellowship, Athena Writes, at the Music Hall earlier this month. They selected seven playwrights assembled for a one-year exploration of the theme: “A Deafening Silence” and centered on Athena Theatre’s commitment to supporting new work which pushes at the boundaries of live theatre.
The evening featured excerpts from all Athena Writes playwrights’ full-length plays written in residence.
Congratulations to writers Kate Thomas, Jenny Lyn Bader, Jared Michael Delaney, Luis Roberto Herrera, Yasmine Lever, Joey Massa, and JD Stewart on this end of year celebration of your hard work.
I was so impressed by the many ways you used the Music Hall. Who knows what will come in (our out!) of the space next! Just remember, whatever you’re working on, you’re in the right space. We support you in all stages, as you create the future of American theater.
If you’re interested in using the Music Hall for your work, click here! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more regular updates on all of the work being created.
Have a happy and healthy holiday!
Until next time,
Ella