Northwestern University has an incredible program called the American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) in which they bring together the nation’s leading artists in the professional theatre to work in collaboration with Northwestern faculty and students to create new musicals. During the winter quarter, a group of Northwestern students, in collaboration with The House Theatre of Chicago, developed an original musical titled GIRLS VS. BOYS, the developmental production will premiere during Northwestern’s Summer Music Theatre Festival this July.
For the first time ever, the project went one step further by pairing another group of eight students with Broadway In Chicago professionals to develop an original marketing plan for this exciting new production. The course, led by Broadway In Chicago Vice President Eileen LaCario and Marketing Director Andrew Damer, covered all facets of presenting and marketing commercial theatre from creating a performance schedule and price structure to developing advertising, promotional and social networking plans. The students designed original artwork, descriptive copy, a website and will continue to work throughout the summer implementing their marketing plan.
First of all, these are some smart and talented students – both in creating a new musical and marketing it. Second, AMTP is one incredible organization. And third, go see GIRLS VS. BOYS. It is sure to be a highlight of the summer theatre season.
July 10 – August 2 at the Wallis Theatre, Evanston
Girls vs. Boys plunges you into an all-out war of the sexes. Brother and sister find themselves thrust into a perilous, modern day Lord of the Flies, playing a game with rules they don’t fully understand. But you can’t win this game. You gotta play not to lose. The acclaimed creative team of The Sparrow, along with Northwestern students, has created a story of high stakes relationships with even greater consequences, challenging the storybook ideal of love in an amped up, exhilarating new musical.
Developed in partnership between the American Music Theatre Project at Northwestern University and The House Theatre of Chicago, the world premiere of Girls vs. Boys is directed by Nathan Allen with book and lyrics by Chris Mathews, Jake Minton and Nathan Allen, music by Kevin O’Donnell and choreography by Tommy Rapley.
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK: Girls vs. Boys contains strong language, violent themes, partial nudity and really, REALLY loud music.
