Why We Write

Right now, more than ever, creating original music matters. With so much recycled content out there, fresh, personal songs give artists a chance to tell their own stories and connect with audiences in a way nothing else can. I’ve spent over 25 years writing musicals, songs, and improvised shows, from BLANK! The Musical Off-Broadway to solo piano-and-voice performances, and I’ve seen how original work sparks laughter, reflection, and real human connection. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of hearing a song for the first time and knowing it only exists in that moment…especially if it happens to be improvised.

Original music also pushes creativity in ways AI music or formulaic songwriting never can. At The Second City, where I founded the Training Center’s Music Program, I’ve developed hundreds of songs and revues with students and professional artists alike. I’ve expanded on that creative process at theaters and schools across the country. Every new piece is a chance to experiment. Maybe a folk-pop ballad, a satirical number, or an improvised musical that evolves on the spot. That process of creating from scratch keeps performances alive, unpredictable, and full of energy, and it gives performers the confidence to take risks and trust their instincts.

Beyond the stage, original music leaves a mark that lasts. It’s how we inspire other artists, enrich our communities, and keep theater, folk music and live performance vibrant. Working with students and collaborators has reminded me that encouraging originality is one of the most important things we can do as artists. An original song, good, bad, accessible or way out there, lets us tell the stories only we can tell. And these are the stories that audiences remember long after the lights go down.