Robert D. Carver

I have more than a dozen copyrighted musical theater projects for which I'm seeking composers who are willing/able to collaborate temporarily ON SPEC. The best deal I can offer is, if and when a show is optioned for commercial production, we would--in most instances--split the Author's Advance (option money) and ALL ROYALTIES 50-50 instead of the Dramatists' Guild standard split of 2/3 (minimum 4%) of the show's gross income to me for book and lyrics (libretto) and only 1/3 (2%) for the music. Where my libretto is based on/adapted from material copyrighted by a third party, the split would be 1/3 to each of us.

This is the best deal I can offer currently. If I were in a position to pay a composer for his services, then--like Disney--I would OWN ALL RIGHTS in the Music, no matter how famous my collaborator.
For details, please contact me on my Facebook page with your email address or a link to your own website.

Samples of my work as a lyricist may be found on my personal page at NumberOneMusic, with three songs from one project, ZARZUELA DE OVEJUNADOR (THE SHEEPHERDER'S OPERA) or on YouTube where you can find a medley from THE LONG, HOT SUMMER MUSICAL PROJECT. I was granted conditional stage adaptation rights to the screenplay of the 1958 film which starred Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, pending a Hollywood big screen remake of that minor classic.

(expired link)

I have more than a dozen Musical Theater projects for which I wrote and copyrighted the libretti (books & lyrics) for which I am seeking trained and preferably experienced Musical Theater composers to write new and original music for live singers. These projects are currently ON SPEC and neither the composer nor I will be paid until such time as a show is optioned for commercial production. WE will then split the Author's Advance and ALL ROYALTIES 50-50 in most instances. Where the libretto is based on/adapted from material copyrighted by a third party, the money will be split equally among us. Samples of my lyrics are available on this site (3 SONGS FROM "ZARZUELA DE OVEJUNADOR (THE SHEEPHERDER'S OPERA)" and on YOUTUBE with a medley of songs from THE LONG, HOT SUMMER MUSICAL PROJECT. I was granted conditional stage adaptation rights to the screenplay of the 1958 film pending a Hollywood big screen remake of that minor classic. For additional samples, a list of projects with capsule descriptions and my support material (letters of recommendation, media reviews and my directing resume') please contact me directly at: (expired link)

To all of you who have supported over the past decade or so my efforts to promote the songs for which I wrote the lyrics, my deepest and sincerest gratitude. I wish you the best for the new year: health, happiness and success.

If anyone among you happen to have experience or interest in composing for Musical Theater, which requires a very specific skill set--the ability to write original music to pre-existing lyrics (mine) for a dozen or more songs which are both distinctive and yet obviously connected to each other, developing plot and character in a dramatic arc--the entire score of the musical WEST SIDE STORY, for example is based on TRIPLETS (THREE NOTES IN SEQUENCE) please contact me directly for details.

All of my projects are COPYRIGTED and ON SPEC. If a show is optioned for commercial production we would--in most instances--split the Author's Advance (option money with a producer secures the rights for ONE YEAR, renewable if all parties are agreed) and ALL royalties EQUALLY, instead of the Dramatists' Guild standard split of two-thirds to me for the book (plot and dialogue) and lyrics and only one-third to the composer.

Each of my projects requires a distinctive musical interpretation which conveys the locale and historical era in which it is set, while appealing to a broad 21st century audience and showcasing the composer's individual style. PLEASE INCLUDE A LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE OR MP3S OF YOUR ORINGINAL MUSIC--NOT NEW ARRANGEMENTS OF ANOTHER COMPOSER'S WORK, YOUR RESUME'/(expired link). AND LETTERS OF REFERENCE OR MEDIA REVIEWS OF YOUR SONGS--RECORDED WITH LIVE SINGERS INSTEAD OF MIDI. I'll send my support material by return email, including a list of my current COPYRIGHTED projects with capsule descriptions and further details.

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This new New York City-based group of composers, lyricists, playwrights, directors, choreographers & designers is seeking performers and others (technicians, backstage workers, arts management types) from the tri-state area who want to participate in the development and public performance of entirely--not revivals or revisals--original musicals, plays, dance and other events.

We are preparing our first show for the autumn of 2019--a revue of songs, dances, short scenes--for an invited audience of producers, agents and other industry members, as well as the general public in Manhattan, after which we may tour New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island if it is well-received. If we raise sufficient money, then we'll produce a small-cast, one-set musical and follow that with other shows from our workshops.

We're looking for a multi-ethnic group of actor-singer-dancers--anywhere from 16 to 24 in number, an equal number of men and women, whether professionals, amateurs or students--to audition and begin rehearsals in early August. The show will include 25 songs and is intended to showcase the talents of Spectatorium's five resident composers, four lyricists, three playwrights and each performer will be given an opportunity to shine in a featured spot, as well as in the ensemble.

Our next meeting will be in Manhattan in early June, the exact date, time and place to be announced ASAP. If you are interested please send your headshot/resume' or (expired link). to:

spectatoriumtheater@(expired link)

We'll contact you to set up audition and interview appointments. After the first production, we'll also start classes in all the performing arts and start a reading series.

Thanks for joining my mailing list and liking the songs. If anyone knows of theatrical producers who might be interested in developing and presenting the complete musical, please contact me.

Thank you for following and apparently enjoying the posted songs from "Zarzuela de Ovejunador (The Sheepherder's Opera)" so much.

The composer (and co-lyricist) Stephen Cornine and I are seeking commercial producers, regional theaters and others who may be interested in presenting the complete show live and on stage, whether in staged readings, workshops or fully realized (with scenery, costumes, orchestra, etc.) in large auditoriums.

If you are yourself a producer, or have contacts with any who are daring enough to tackle a large-cast opus such as this, and give it a quasi-cinematic staging--and who have deep pockets--please contact me: (expired link)

...tion!

Thank you for liking the selected songs from this opus. If any of you are theatrical producers, scripts & scores are available upon request.

We're seeking producers for this musical, though most probably it belongs in an opera house. Also seeking New York-based composers for other musicals.