On March 17, 2023, Emily Clare Thompson will present a lecture to the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children. This year’s statewide conference is being called “The Dream Team, and Emily’s lecture is entitled, “Musicals with Character: Theater and Character Education for Gifted Youth.” About the lecture: “Celebrate storytelling with… Continue reading
Live theater is truly and fully back! The Fifth Grade of Central Elementary (East Hanover, NJ) is deep into rehearsals for CUPID’S BOW, building sets, working lights and sound, and preparing to take the stage. CUPID’S BOW is the comedy that sees a misbehaving Cupid “punished” by being sent to… Continue reading
Spoiler alert! “The Last Poem” written by Edgar Allan Poe before his untimely death was “Annabel Lee.” Join him and his young wife, Virginia, as they discuss Poe’s works and strive to find a new artistic direction for Poe to pursue. Presented as part of a three-day Edgar Allan Poe… Continue reading
In these pandemic times, so many educators have struggles to include SEL programming in their classroom. Often, such lessons are a state requirement. If this sounds familiar to you, get in touch with us! Our musicals are only a part of what Thompson & Russell can provide. We also have… Continue reading
If you follow the Thompson & Russell Instagram feed, or the Facebook page, this will serve as a recap for you. (If you aren’t following one of both of these — like the page! Subscribe, join in!) Three encore performances of Thompson & Russell musicals are set for the year… Continue reading
From December 2018 to June 2019, Thompson & Russell have been working with Theater Resources Unlimited’s three-part program, “How to Write A Musical that Works.” The musical being presented was CUPID’S BOW. This past Sunday, June 2, Part 3 of the workshop was offered up: “Reckoning and Resolution” — namely,… Continue reading
February 21, 2019 saw another successful performance of Thompson & Russell’s CUPID’S BOW. Recently, the writing team has been presenting material from this show at workshops in New York. Still, it’s great to return to the original “home” of this show: Central School in East Hanover, NJ. Performed by that… Continue reading
Both Emily and Rich received an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Plus Award for 2018. Although they write musical theater as a team, they were each recognized individually for book & lyrics (Emily) and for music (Rich). The award is meant to recognize up-and-coming ASCAP members who… Continue reading
On Sunday, December 9, Thompson & Russell presented the opening 15 minutes of Cupid’s Bow to a panel of theater insiders and other musical theater writers. This was part of the Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) program, “How to Write A Musical That Works.” The presentation got really great feedback from… Continue reading
Once again, the East Hanover Schools District (NJ) has done a wonderful job presenting Thompson & Russell musicals. On May 10, 2018, the 2nd Grade class of Frank J. Smith school presented “It Takes A Rainbow,” and on June 13, the 4th Grade class presented the Shakespeare adaptation, “War of… Continue reading
