Beth and her students will research, write and perform a musical cycle that will illuminate the lives of Americans who have overcome serious obstacles and difficulties. The seminar will work with nationally known playwrights (Suzan Zeder, Distinguished Play Award for The Taste of Summer and author of Mother Hicks), lyricists (Steven Sater, Tony Award for Spring Awakening) and musical publishers (Ken Dingledine, Vice President of Samuel Fisher Publishing Company). The seminar will present its play in Muncie as a fundraiser for its community partner (Big Brothers and Big Sisters), and in Chicago at the Drury Lane Theater as an alumni scholarship performance. The seminar will also submit it’s play to the New Play Festival in New York City.