Quantum Leap by Jane Kelley

Here's the problem. How do you turn a bunch of words on a page (aka a novel) into a colorful, melodic, extravaganza (aka a musical)?

Step 1:  Cut characters and subplots. You really will have to kill your darlings. (RIP, Jake and Nina!) Being economical allows plenty of space for others to make your words blossom.

Step 2:  Find talented musical collaborators. Bonus points if they're fun to work with. 

Greg Alexander and Clifford Lee Johnson III 

Step 3:  Heighten the drama. Move the antagonists right next door to each other. 

Step 4:  Rewrite. Go to theatres in Connecticut, California, and Illinois to develop the script. 

Step 5:  Get feedback from smart people and feel just a little bit encouraged by their comments. 

Step 6:  Rewrite some more????? Yup. And more and more and more. Is that scene confusing? Is there a funnier joke? Can all the characters have an arc? Yes, yes, yes. 

Step 7:  Find a theater who wants to produce it. Thank you B Street in Sacramento! 

Step 8:  Rehearse. Be awed by Stephanie Altholtz, Amy Kelly, Sean Nill, Tara Sissom, Hunter Hoffman, Fatemeh Mehraban, Greg Alexander, Clifford Lee Johnson III, John Lamb, Colleen Lacy--and all the other talented people who are working so hard to bring your idea to life.

Step 9:  Get ready for the most important collaborator--the audience. Fill these seats with kids. Gulp. I'll let you know what they think. 

 Jane Kelley is a middle-grade novelist and former theater kid, who's thrilled to be collaborating with so many amazing artists.