Birds & Beansprouts

Independent project at Carnegie Mellon University | Original full-length musical

When Shaylee was 5, her biological mom went missing. Now a senior in high school and a talented songwriter, Shaylee is planning a new future for herself, one that she hopes includes admission to a music school far away from Oregon and her adopted dad’s pleas for practicality. But when Shaylee’s 18th birthday brings her new information about her mom, she finds herself wondering whether to tend to the memories of her past or the promise of her future.

Photos by Louis Stein.

Music, lyrics, + book: Joe Young

Dramaturgy: Sabrina Zanello Jackson

Director: Emma Cordray

Music Director: Joshua Gregg Fried

Asst. Dramaturg + Asst. Director: Sally Kozminski