hey everyone! hope you’re doing well 💜 i’ve been a little nervous about sharing this, but i’ve been working on something creatively exciting and thought this might be a good place to talk about it. i’m developing an original musical called Rudo, the Musical. it’s a Zimbabwean coming-of-age, zim-pop-rock musical exploring girlhood, ambition, friendship, gender and institutional power. i’m currently working on the book and lyrics, and i’m hoping to bring the project to life through a staged reading concert around March 2027. the story is female-led, with eight female-presenting roles (seven teenagers and one older woman), alongside two male characters. musically and creatively, i’ve drawn inspiration from shows like Heathers, Hamilton and Legally Blonde. visually, i’ve also been looking at School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh, particularly its school-uniform aesthetic. i’m still very much at the beginning of my journey as a theatre-maker, so this is an independent project that i’m developing and funding largely myself. it’s a learning process, and there’s still plenty to figure out! i’m hoping to work with actors, singers and other people who enjoy musical theatre. modest stipends will be available, although these will be negotiable. i’m also hoping the project can have a life beyond the stage. one of my intentions is to use proceeds from ticket sales to support girls’ orphanages in Zimbabwe through donations of stationery and menstrual hygiene products, including pads and tampons. Emerald Hill is one of the organisations i’d love to support. i’m currently hoping to connect with performers aged 18 and above who may be interested in the project, particularly those available between January and March 2027. if you’d like to hear more about the casting process, feel free to reach out. and even if performing isn’t your thing, i’d genuinely enjoy connecting with people who simply love musicals, theatre or the process of creating something from scratch. i’d like to document the development of Rudo, from the writing process through rehearsals and eventually the staged reading. a little context for the pictures: pictures 1–3: Heathers, Hamilton and Legally Blonde — some of the musicals that have inspired me creatively. pictures 4–5: School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh — a reference for the school-uniform aesthetic and costume direction. pictures 6–7: the intimate concert-reading atmosphere i’m hoping to draw inspiration from, particularly concept concerts such as those at 54 Below. i’d love to hear from anyone interested in Zimbabwean theatre, musical theatre, original musicals or independent theatre-making. it’s always lovely to find people who share an interest in these things. thanks for taking the time to read! ❤️   submitted by   /u/BusStunning1134 [link]   [comments]