First step Quote by Stephen Schwartz
“Normally, for a musical, the first step with my collaborators is to figure out the story and the outline and really be clear about the structure. But then, by that point, ideas for musical numbers will have emerged and I can pretty well start on musical numbers.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast with Stephen Schwartz, 2023
The creative process starts with defining story and structure, after which musical ideas naturally appear.
In simple terms: Start with story, then music follows.
Key Takeaway
Plan the narrative before composing songs.
Themes
creativity
process
collaboration
Mood
focused
inspired
Type
practical
process
When to use this quote
- theatre production
- songwriting workshops
- creative brainstorming
- project planning
Key Concepts
storytelling
musical composition
structure
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a clear outline influence your musical ideas?
- What happens when the story evolves after music begins?
A Different Perspective
If the story is unclear, musical ideas may feel forced.
