Author Presentations
Carol de Giere
Please contact me about invitations to speak at your library, school, or group meeting. carol@musicalschwartz.com or write to me at P.O. Box 510, Georgetown, CT 06829
For a list of currently scheduled events, visit my book site at www.DefyingGravityTheBook.com
Topics
As author of Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked, I've given many talks about the creativity involved in Broadway and film musical making, based on what I learned during the eight years of researching and writing the book. I can plan a program to meet your group's specific needs.
For general audiences or musical theatre groups:
"From Godspell to Wicked: The Creativity of Stephen Schwartz" - The inside story of how Schwartz and colleagues use research, multiple drafts, and feedback for developing new musicals.
"The Making of ____" [Fill in the blank with one of Schwartz's musicals: Godspell, Pippin, Children of Eden, Wicked...]
"Secrets of Oz: From Baum's Oz Classic to Wicked: Stories from Behind the Emerald Curtain" - Here's Evan Schwartz's write up and an Ozian even we've done several times. Secrets of Oz
"The Creative Wisdom of the Makers of Oz: From L. Frank Baum to the Writers of Wicked."
For aspiring performers: "The Making of Wicked and Idina Menzel's Elphaba--Originating a Role for Broadway."
I speak about the making of the smash hit Broadway musical Wicked, giving audiences an idea of the kinds of creative work that go into the development of an original musical.
As part of this discussion, I focus on one performer's experience in originating a Broadway role. For my book, I interviewed Idina Menzel, the original "wicked" witch for Wicked, who shared with me some of her stories and challenges. I also spoke with others about Idina: Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman, and Joe Mantello.
Although I'm not a performer myself, I can pass along the insights I gained from watching the musical come to life.
Multimedia
I can bring the public performance approved edition of a DVD with clips from Wicked and Wicked rehearsals.
Workshops
Ask me about adding a workshop component to my presenations--either related to musical writing or based on the book "Writing From Life."
Printed Materials
For resources related to Defying Gravity, such as sample syllabus for a Stephen Schwartz musicals class, please contact me at carol@musicalschwartz.com
Photo Archives of Previous Book Talks and Other Presentations
Carol de Giere speaking at the Drama Book Shop in New York City, 2009
Carol de Giere with Stephen Schwartz (left) speaking at Barnes and Noble in Skokie Illinois, 2009
Carol de Giere (in green jacket) as part of a presentation at Curtain Call in Stamford, CT. (On the right is Robin Lamont, original cast member from Godspell and Working).
Carol de Giere and Carole Demas (original "Sandy" in Grease on Broadway and original "Genevieve" in The Baker's Wife) speaking at the Drama Book Shop in NYC.
Stephen Schwartz and Carol de Giere at Defying Gravity book launch at the Lincoln Center area Barnes and Noble in New York City, October 30, 2008.