Madison Joy LeFever
Watch Untethered’s first reading with Western Washington University’s On The Intersection Summer Theatre.
Leah Shannon pens notes on a composition page titled “Sophie’s Song” composed by Madison LeFever. Photo by Sattva Photo
UNTETHERED, A musical
Book by Brighid Leonard and Kaitlin Losansky
Music by Madison LeFever & Sophie Kashman
“Freshly divorced and working in a grocery store, Celeste finds comfort and levity in a flirty online relationship with Bee, a rural Magic the Gathering fan in search of community and connection. Untethered is the story of the lengths people will go to avoid painful realities, and those they leave in their wake pursuing a reality that doesn’t exist.”
-
What once started as a musical revue, that I was asked to direct for a university club, turned into a project so elaborate I sometimes forget where it began. I have been writing since I can remember and while working to get my BA in Theatre Production (Directing & Playwriting) I had been throwing around the idea of composing a musical. I was confiding in Kamarie Chapman, Western Washington University Playwriting Professor & my professional mentor, and she posed the question… “Why not?” So, that is exactly what I proposed to WWU’s Student Theatre Productions. I created a call to action, searching for playwrights interested in taking on a musical and a co composer/lyricist. We truly believed we could throw something together for the revue, but realized quickly that what we were creating needed to take up space. The content, the social work, and the ultimate message required intention. That was when we decided to dedicate even more time to dramaturg and write a full length musical. That birthed Untethered.
-
2023 - Regional Premiere Reading, Region 7 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
2022 - Semi Finalist, Oneill’s National Musical Theatre Conference
Summer of 2022 - Reading, WWU’s On The Intersection @ Wink Wink Boutique
2021 - Untitled Musical Theatre Project, Western Washington University’s Student Theatre Productions
-
Coming Soon…
what the Gods gave me by Eryn Mcvay
Directed by Kayla Adams, Assistant Direction & Composition by Madison LeFever
I joined this project as an assistant director, and when we identified the need for a deeper, more personal connection for the character of Sophie, I suggested composing a song for her. In addition, I dedicated considerable time to dramaturgical research, which greatly informed my writing and the collaborative process we engaged in.