If you’ve been reading these emails for a while but never picked up the actual book, here’s your reminder that it exists, and here’s what’s in it.
Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician’s Guide to Building a Theater Career is the foundation everything else on this platform is built on. Not a book about how to play your instrument better. It’s a book about how the business actually works: how musicians get hired for Broadway, how they stay hired, and how to build something that lasts past the run of any one show.
It’s been featured in International Musician and in Allegro, Local 802’s own magazine, and it’s listed in the Musicians section of the Broadway League’s own careers site now.
None of that happened because the book flatters anybody. It happened because it says the true thing out loud: there’s no application process for Broadway, no open auditions for pit musicians, no website where you upload a resume and get called. It comes down to trust, who’s prepared, who’s reliable, and who people feel comfortable calling when it matters. The book is the long version of what that actually means.
Readers who’ve actually put it to use have said it better than I can:
“This book goes beyond drumming. The chapters on business structure, financial planning, negotiation, and managing your professional image apply to any serious musician trying to build something long term.” Juan Carlos Mendoza, Amazon review
“As a music coordinator, I was lucky to have Clayton play drums on several productions I coordinated for Broadway. Times and methods have changed, but Clayton has been actively part of it for the last 20 to 25 years and he knows whereof he speaks. His book is an invaluable resource for all.” MPK, Amazon review
“Author and musician Clayton Craddock has spent a number of years interviewing musicians who have actually managed to find a way to successfully create a career as players. No easy task. Much of what’s missing in conservatory training is pragmatically covered in this book. If you’re a young musician aspiring to a career in music, it can only help.” Charlestd, Barnes & Noble review
If you’ve already read it, the Course picks up right where it leaves off. If you haven’t, you can grab it on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or straight from broadwayboundbook.com.