First Semester: A Musical

by Wyn Alyse Thomas

First Semester: A Musical follows Alicia, an anxious overachiever whose fervor for scholastic excellence is undone by the rigors of the first semester of college. Between her plummeting grades, an ill-advised relationship, and her long-time friend taking collegiate excess to its extremes, Alicia must find a way to navigate her uncertain new reality. This musical is an exploration of identity, dating, friendship...

First Semester: A Musical follows Alicia, an anxious overachiever whose fervor for scholastic excellence is undone by the rigors of the first semester of college. Between her plummeting grades, an ill-advised relationship, and her long-time friend taking collegiate excess to its extremes, Alicia must find a way to navigate her uncertain new reality. This musical is an exploration of identity, dating, friendship, girlhood, and mental health at one of the most vulnerable stages in one’s life.

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

First Semester: A Musical

Recommended by

  • Elizabeth Shannon: First Semester: A Musical by Wyn Alyse Thomas
    “

    A funny, endearing, grounded musical by Thomas. Perfect for teens and young adults with lots of roles for young women. Would be great to see done in schools and colleges, as well as professional spaces!

    A funny, endearing, grounded musical by Thomas. Perfect for teens and young adults with lots of roles for young women. Would be great to see done in schools and colleges, as well as professional spaces!

    ”
CHARACTERS:
ALICIA BRANTLEY: 18 year old freshman. Female. Wide-eyed and hopeful. Very bright, attending school on a full scholarship. Anxious. Can’t deal with uncertainty. Mezzo soprano, a mixer.
TIFFANY: Freshman. Female. A good girl in high school with a very strict mom. Has been best friends with Alicia for a few years. Closeted. Mezzo belter.
JESSIE: Freshman. Female. Sweet, funny, supportive. Openly queer. Alto.
GABRIELLE: Freshman. Female. Roommates with Jessie. Gives great advice. Dry, funny, and honest. Openly queer. Soprano.
ZACH: 21 year old junior. Male. Tenor. A natural at school, but not quite at his personal life. A family man. Undiagnosed relationship OCD.
RON: Sophomore. Male. A pessimist. Hates freshmen.
ERIN: A therapist on campus, a student in her final year of study. Female.
TAYLOR: Alicia’s ochem TA. Nepo baby. Male.
PROFESSOR JACKSON: Alicia’s organic chemistry professor. A hardass. Female.
DANCE TEACHER: Teaches waltz at Zach’s church. Any gender.
JASON: A frat guy.
TODD: A frat guy.
FRANK: A guy Tiffany hooks up with.
MAMA: Alicia’s mom.
ENSEMBLE: Roles include RYLIE, KAY, LIAM, LOGAN, etc. Ensemble lines may be redesignated if desired. All characters (other than ALICIA) join the ensemble when they are not singing as themselves. The ensemble acts as an embodiment of ALICIA’s anxiety, and this includes a fear that her loved ones actually believe the things her anxiety is saying.

Development History

  • Reading, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region IV, 2025

Production History

  • Workshop, The Thalian Blackfriars and UGA Theatre, 2024

Awards

  • KCACTF Musical Theatre Award
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    Runner Up
    2025
  • National Student Playwriting Award
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    Runner Up
    2025
  • National Partners of the American Theatre Playwriting Award for Region IV
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    Winner
    2025
  • David Shelton Award for Full Length Playwriting
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    Winner
    2025
  • CURO Research Award
    Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
    2024
  • CURO Research Award
    Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities
    2023
  • New Georgia Grant
    New Georgia Group
    2024