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The Dividing LineBook, Music, and Lyrics by Michael TurnblomContact Email: michael.turnblom@gmail.com |
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José is rocked by the deportation of his older brother and resolves to study law. Opportunity knocks when he meets Ben, the U.S. district attorney’s son. The young men forge a friendship during an internship, but their differences are marked as they navigate the conflicting dynamics of parents, friends, and the rich and poor sides of town. Everything backfires when José is fired and Ben quits on his dad. José must decide whether to face the adversity that comes with pursuing his dreams, or to follow the path of his brother. Ben must decide whether to do what is easy, or what is right. The choice will bring both friends to the brink of life and death. This show has gone through various stages of development over the past few years, including several Zoom readings and a fully sung live reading in October 2023. I’m looking for an opportunity to move into the next stage of development and ideally see the piece on its feet. The show’s central themes of overcoming division, pulling down barriers, and casting a spotlight on immigration have become ever more relevant, so I am committed to continuing my work on the show and making efforts to share it with the public, in hopes that its message can encourage love, unity, and healing. Michael Turnblom is a composer, conductor, and performer who writes for the stage and concert hall. In addition to The Dividing Line, recent collaborations include Brewed Ambition (2nd Prize, Search for New Musicals, New Musicals Inc.) and The Little Red Hen (both with bookwriter/co-lyricist BK Wells), as well as Habitual Mirrors (book by Elena Lockleis, lyrics by Stephanie Bentley and Tatiana Gomez) and For Richer and for Poorer (book by Kim Bixler, lyrics by Greg Beattie) (both premiered at Broadwater Mainstage, Hollywood). As a singer, Michael has performed with the a cappella groups True Concord and De Angeles Vocal Ensemble, and he is a bilingual cantor for Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Fluent in several languages, Michael has collaborated with choirs and artists across Europe and Latin America. From his home in Los Angeles, Michael enjoys helping at-risk teens train for their first marathon. Michael holds graduate degrees from the University of Michigan and University of Arizona, where he completed studies in vocal performance, conducting, composition, and orchestration. |
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The Dividing Line
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Michael Turnblom
Contact Email: michael.turnblom@gmail.com
José is rocked by the deportation of his older brother and resolves to study law. Opportunity knocks when he meets Ben, the U.S. district attorney’s son. The young men forge a friendship during an internship, but their differences are marked as they navigate the conflicting dynamics of parents, friends, and the rich and poor sides of town. Everything backfires when José is fired and Ben quits on his dad. José must decide whether to face the adversity that comes with pursuing his dreams, or to follow the path of his brother. Ben must decide whether to do what is easy, or what is right. The choice will bring both friends to the brink of life and death.
This show has gone through various stages of development over the past few years, including several Zoom readings and a fully sung live reading in October 2023. I’m looking for an opportunity to move into the next stage of development and ideally see the piece on its feet. The show’s central themes of overcoming division, pulling down barriers, and casting a spotlight on immigration have become ever more relevant, so I am committed to continuing my work on the show and making efforts to share it with the public, in hopes that its message can encourage love, unity, and healing.
Michael Turnblom is a composer, conductor, and performer who writes for the stage and concert hall. In addition to The Dividing Line, recent collaborations include Brewed Ambition (2nd Prize, Search for New Musicals, New Musicals Inc.) and The Little Red Hen (both with bookwriter/co-lyricist BK Wells), as well as Habitual Mirrors (book by Elena Lockleis, lyrics by Stephanie Bentley and Tatiana Gomez) and For Richer and for Poorer (book by Kim Bixler, lyrics by Greg Beattie) (both premiered at Broadwater Mainstage, Hollywood).
As a singer, Michael has performed with the a cappella groups True Concord and De Angeles Vocal Ensemble, and he is a bilingual cantor for Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Fluent in several languages, Michael has collaborated with choirs and artists across Europe and Latin America.
From his home in Los Angeles, Michael enjoys helping at-risk teens train for their first marathon. Michael holds graduate degrees from the University of Michigan and University of Arizona, where he completed studies in vocal performance, conducting, composition, and orchestration.