PJ Ju has been selected as the winner of the MUSE/Maestra Music Director Experience, a new program that aims to expose emerging music directors to Broadway work through a three-week backstage intensive. For this inaugural experience, Broadway’s “Wicked” partnered with MUSE and Maestra, two nonprofits dedicated to advancing the careers of historically marginalized groups in the music departments of musical theater. Interested participants applied and Ju was selected.
Ju is a music director, composer, arranger, accompanist and sound designer who has worked on productions with Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem and more.
Through the Music Director Experience, Ju will gain one-on-one access to the music team of “Wicked,” including the opportunity to shadow the group through rehearsals, auditions and performance.
“‘Wicked’ is one of my favorite musicals — for years, the opening chords to ‘No One Mourns the Wicked’ was our house’s morning alarm,” said Ju. “I can’t wait to peek behind the curtain and witness firsthand what it takes to music-direct at the highest levels of musical theater.
Ju continued, “To be able to shadow the immensely talented [music director] Dan Micciche and get hands-on experience with the goal of one day landing a sub/rehearsal/MD position on Broadway? Thrilling!”
MUSE and Maestra are expected to partner with “Hamilton,” “The Book of Mormon,” “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “Moulin Rouge!” for future experiences.
