The day has finally arrived…I am waiting at the gate for my flight from O’Hare to JFK. I have been counting down the days for months, and I could not be more excited. It feels like there is a boulder on my chest, in the good sort of way. The next eight weeks are an actual l dream come true and it still doesn’t feel real that it’s actually happening.
Tomorrow, I will observe Joseph Church- music director, conductor, composer, and author of my research book- as he conducts the matinee performance of Amazing Grace. I’m particularly excited about observing this Broadway musical because it began in Chicago! I always root for Chicago world premiere musicals to succeed in New York because it is such a difficult transition. I reached out to Joseph on my own after reading and rereading his enlightening book, Music Direction for the Stage: A View From the Podium. This book has been a foundational text for my research, and I am very lucky to be able to interview and observe the author of my most relevant primary source.
On Monday, I will begin shadowing Northwestern alumnus Patrick Sulken as he music directs a new workshop musical called We Are the Tigers. I will observe every rehearsal and the final performance next Monday. I am sure that observing the same process day after day for a week will be very useful for my research.
I have a jam-packed week coming up, and I look forward to not only exploring the world of Broadway, but the rest of the city as well!