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THIS SIDE OF THE DOOR: A SONG (to break out of the) CYCLE

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THIS SIDE OF THE DOOR: A SONG (to break out of the) CYCLE

Music, Lyrics, and Book by

Ash (they/she)

Synopsis

THIS SIDE OF THE DOOR: A SONG (to break out of the) CYCLE is a one-act story-driven collection of daring moments for four queer and trans characters on the threshold of change as they navigate moments of stepping into one’s own power, deciding what is right when it’s also what is hardest, and taking a step forward when they can’t see what’s on the other side of the door…

Taylor has just moved to NYC to be an actor and just came out as a trans woman, while her long-time friend Sam begins to navigate unexpected romantic feelings that find him out of his depth. Forest is stuck inside their depression, and their friend Kaiden tries to cheer them on, even while Kaiden is struggling to make ends meet. Each character must make the choice – again and again – to open the door to whatever is next…

Overview

Type of Work

Musical (One Act)Song Cycle

Duration

75-90 minutes

Genres

ComedyComing of AgeDramaQueer

Musical Styles

Contemporary BroadwayPop

Additional Information

Cast Size

1-4

Ensemble Size

None

Cast Attributes

Trans actorsNon-Binary Actors

Orchestra Size

Piano only

Character Breakdown

Men: 1Trans Women: 1Trans Men: 1Non-Binary Adults: 1

Developmental History + Awards

•Summer 2024: began conceiving, outlining, and writing

•Fall 2024 to Present: developed with 3 different writers groups, including 1) mentored by Kent Nicholson, 2) via Musical Writers’ Academy, and 3) peer-led

•Spring 2025: developed songs (and show) in an Advanced Songwriting class at Musical Creators’ Institute instructed by Anna K. Jacobs

•April 2025: a 15-minute excerpt featured at Theatre on the Verge’s New Musicals Festival in their “Songs & Scenes Cabaret” in Philadelphia, PA

•April 2025: 3 new songs featured at Musical Writers’ New Works Cabaret in Arlington, TX

•April 2025: a table-read of the first full draft at Musical Theatre Factory’s Roundtable Reading Series in NYC (this included dramaturgical support and audience talk-back)

•October 2025: named Semi-Finalist for New Works/New Voices at Syracuse University

•December 2025: named Finalist for The Phoenix Theatre Company’s Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre 2026

•January 2026: mini-workshop of a scene and song via SandboxMusicals’ Playspace program in NYC

•February 2026: invited to present a scene and song at Musical Theatre Factor’s Hot Mic Night in NYC (this included live dramaturgical/audience feedback)

Upcoming

•April 2026: a table-read of the newest draft at the Playwrights Horizons Associated Writers’ Group

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