R&D Update: Music
Orpheus & Eurydice Project
Well first of all, it’s my birthday! I’m 31 now and my life is better than I could have hoped. This R&D is (no joke) a pretty big part of that. It wasn’t that long ago that I considered playwriting way beyond my abilities. Look at me now! Leading a team of incredible (mostly) Black queer creatives all determined to bring my sad little play to life.
To that end, last month, our songwriter (Lavender Rodriguez) and Orpheus (Naheema Shafau) spent a couple days working together on music for the play.
Whilst this adaptation isn’t a musical by any means, it’s impossible to write about Orpheus without considering music.
Over the course of 2 days, they figured out what Orpheus’ sound would be when she’s writing for herself vs writing to contract, and how her sound evolves over the arc of the play.
On the first day, I spent a couple hours with them, talking about the script and what I think Orpheus might sound like (I am a neo-soul/alt rnb girlie so Janelle Monae, serpentwithfeet and Lianne La Havas featured prominently). After that, I left them to it; no one wants an anxious playwright hovering over them when they’re trying to explore new ideas. They kept me up to date via our groupchat and their thinking was always so interesting and their ideas so fresh.
This is my first time working with a songwriter on a piece. I was a little nervous to get started, but being able to share in Lav’s and Naheema’s skills, experience and creativity was really gratifying.
They didn’t finish any songs (they were only working together for 2 days!) but what they came up with blew me away and I can’t wait until I can share the music they’re making.
That said, I can share Orpheus’ playlist. The songs in it reflect various points in her arc throughout the play — some are a style reference, some an emotional reference, a couple just because I like them.
Give it a listen and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I loved putting it together!
