The Waa-Mu Show is an organization within Northwestern University focusing on the creation of new music theatre. In an academic year, a large group of students comes together to collaboratively write an original full-length musical, which the school then stages as its final mainstage musical production of the season.
Throughout my time at Northwestern, I’ve led the writing process as a Writing Coordinator, served on the Writing Board, helped develop pitches, outlines, and characters, and contributed music, lyrics, and book to several Waa-Mu Shows.
Below, you can listen to songs I’ve written for Waa-Mu!
A Peculiar Inheritance (2022)
Antiques. Socialites. Secrets. In “A Peculiar Inheritance,” the memorial of esteemed watchmaker Archibald Beaucourt proceeds without a hitch. That is, until the reading of a document penned by the late watchmaker declaring that he has left the controlling interest of his company to whomever solves his final puzzle by midnight. Chaos breaks out, alliances are forged and broken, and Archibald’s child must put everything on the line to fight for their place. But as the mystery begins to unravel, family secrets are thrust into the spotlight.
Roles: Writing Coordinator, Writing Board, Book/Lyrics/Music contributor
A Peculiar Inheritance was directed by Johanna McKenzie Miller and ran in Cahn Auditorium from April 29 to May 8, 2022 via the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts. All songs © The Waa-Mu Show at Northwestern University.
Man of the Hour
Lyrics by Trevor K. Band.
Additional Lyrics by Joe Hoppenworth.
Music by Joe Hoppenworth, Eric Powers, Sean Zuckerman.
On a dark and stormy night, friends, colleagues, and loved ones gather in memory of the late watchmaking genius Archibald Beaucourt. But the mourners aren’t prepared for the turns the night will take.
Arrangement by Samuel Perlman, Eric Powers.
Orchestration by Eric Powers, Emefa Dzodzomenyo, Sarah Geltz, Mitchell Huntley.
Performed by the Original Cast of A Peculiar Inheritance.
Losing Time
Lyrics by Trevor K. Band & Kailey Morand.
Music by Trevor K. Band.
When a letter from the late Archibald announces a game that will determine who inherits his watchmaking company, the memorial turns to chaos. Archibald’s son Jamie teams up with outsider Quinn – but the game grows intense and Jamie becomes overwhelmed. Thinking it might help, Quinn invites Jamie to talk about his father.
Arrangement by Brandon Acosta, Oliver Paddock.
Orchestration by Oliver Paddock, Joe Hoppenworth, Briana Lim, Lucia Padilla-Katz.
Performed by Joshua Messmore.
Losing Time (Reprise)
Lyrics by Trevor K. Band & Kailey Morand.
Music by Trevor K. Band.
By the second act, Jamie learns that Quinn, his teammate in Archibald’s game, is actually his half-sister: years ago, his father had an affair. Jamie confronts his mother Adrianna, angry that this information has been kept from him and that he can only reconcile what he has learned with mere memories. Adrianna responds.
Arrangement by Samuel Perlman, Avery Powers, and Oliver Paddock.
Orchestration by Oliver Paddock, Claire Guthrie.
Performed by Maddie Novak.
The Secret of Camp Elliott was directed by Amanda Tanguay, and premiered digitally on June 9, 2021 via the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts. All songs © The Waa-Mu Show at Northwestern University.
The Secret of Camp Elliott (2021)
When best friends Riley, Parker, and Kelso arrive at Camp Elliott, they expect to have the best summer of their lives. But Riley has a secret: she’s moving at the end of the summer, and when the friends get sorted into different cabins and opposing camp teams, their last summer together gets thrown in jeopardy. As the three friends struggle to stay together, their goals for the summer begin to drift – and all the while, some strange events and a mysterious camper suggest that not all is as it seems. What secrets are hiding at this summer camp?
Roles: Writing Board, Book/Lyrics/Music contributor, cast member
My Own Way
Lyrics by Trevor K. Band.
Additional Lyrics by Laney Yoo & Zach Forbes.
Music by Michael-Ellen Walden & Zach Forbes.
With Riley firmly sorted into a separate cabin and team, Parker and Kelso begin to figure out how to make their most of their summers: Parker becomes a counselor-in-training, while Kelso resolves to investigate off-limits areas of the camp.
Arrangement by Ezri Killeen and Libby Hatton.
Orchestration by Ezri Killeen, Simran Deokule, Nick Lin, and Mat Coble.
Performed by Adelina Marinello and Michael-Ellen Walden.
Alone (With You)
Lyrics by Trevor K. Band.
Music by Eli Gottsegen & Harrison Lewis.
After getting separated from her friends, Riley befriends her teammate AJ – who reveals herself to be an alien who came to Earth (and camp) to find her missing parents. As the two connect, they realize they have more in common than expected.
Arrangement by Cameron Miya, Ben Roberts, and Harrison Lewis.
Orchestration by Cameron Miya, Oliver Paddock, Eric Powers, and Harrison Lewis.
Performed by Maddie Novak and Ruby Gibson.
Unbreakable
Music by Trevor K. Band.
Additional Music by Joe Hoppenworth & Alex Manaa.
Lyrics by Alex Manaa & Bennett Petersen.
In the ramp-up to the climax of the show, the three friends are back together and ready to make a plan, take on the villain, and save the day!
Arrangement by Ben Roberts and Samuel Perlman.
Orchestration by Oliver Paddock, Shraman Ghosh, and Brendan Riley.
Performed by Adelina Marinello, Michael-Ellen Walden, Ruby Gibson, and the Original Cast of The Secret of Camp Elliott.
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State of the Art (2020)
State of the Art follows a covert group of artists vandalizing world-renowned pieces of street art in a not-so-distant future metropolis. When the mayor’s misfit son, Ty, crosses paths with the crew of vandals, he starts to realize that the stories he’s come to believe about his city’s origin are far from the truth. And for once, Ty discovers he can break from the mold set out for him by his politically minded parents to forge a life for himself. Meanwhile, the city campaigns to become the new national capital, and will do anything in their power to keep the disruptive acts of vandalism from getting in their way – even if it means tearing apart the families and communities the city claims to protect.
State of the Art was directed by Amanda Tanguay, and premiered digitally on May 1, 2020 via the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts. © The Waa-Mu Show at Northwestern University
Roles: Writing Board, Book/Lyrics/Music contributor, cast member
Dating back to 1927, The Waa-Mu Show is Northwestern’s oldest theatrical tradition. Alumni include Cloris Leachman, Walter Kerr, Sheldon Harnick, Zach Braff, Heather Headley, Brian d’Arcy James, Kate Baldwin, and many others. For more information about The Waa-Mu Show, visit the organization’s website.
Trevor K. Band 