Available to hire
Hi, I’m Charles Inniss, a musical theater writer based in Baltimore. I write books, lyrics, and music for new works and strive to tell intimate stories through song and storytelling. My work has been showcased at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and University of the Arts festival circuits, and I enjoy collaborating with performers and designers to bring ambitious stage pieces to life.
I’m trained with an MFA in Musical Theater Writing from NYU and a BA in Music from Swarthmore College, and I keep exploring new forms and approaches, including virtual labs and staged readings. I love shaping character, narrative, and sound into cohesive experiences and I’m always looking for the next collaboration.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Composer/Lyricist/Book Writer at Prospect Theater Lab / Prospect Theater Company
August 1, 2020 - August 1, 2020Theatre commissions and short works including Candyman (Feb 2020), Footwork (Aug 2020) and other pieces; workshoped and staged in New York venues such as Ailey CitiGroup Theater; collaborations with Pinkhouse Productions and Jay Baro Sherman.
Composer/Lyricist at Prospect Theater Lab
February 1, 2020 - February 1, 2020Short musical Candyman (Feb 2020) commissioned/workshopped at Ailey CitiGroup Theater.
Composer at Astoria Performing Arts Center
June 1, 2020 - June 1, 2020Black Superman (Jun 2020) – Music, Book and Lyrics by InnissENT; commissioned by APAC.
Composer/Writer at National Black Theater / Soul Series Lab
May 31, 2022 - June 12, 2022Catskill Residency and virtual/special development work through NB TheaterSoul Series Lab (2022).
Playwright/Composer at National Black Theater / Soul Series Lab
August 1, 2022 - August 1, 2022I Am Soul Residency – NB Theater Residency development and exploration (Aug 2022).
Musical Theatre Writer at Polyphone Festival / University of the Arts
April 1, 2023 - April 1, 2024AFFIRMATIVE ACTION – multiple festival showcases (April 2023, April 2024) including a 6-day residency in Maine and readings/workshops at University of the Arts.
Curriculum Designer and Tutor at Boys Club of New York – Independent School Program (ISP)
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2016From 2013-2016, prepared middle school students to matriculate to top-tier independent high schools; prepared students for the SSAT, interviews, and helped students find, shape, and write their personal statements for matriculation to some of the most prestigious independent schools in the nation.
Music, Book and Lyrics at Footwork (Prospect Theater Company)
August 1, 2020 - August 1, 2020Footwork is a musical commissioned by Prospect Theater Company, with music, book and lyrics by InnissENT; developed for stage and released in 2020; involved collaboration with performers to explore relationships and identity.
Music, Book and Lyrics at Black Superman (Astoria Performing Arts Center)
June 1, 2020 - June 1, 2020Black Superman is a musical commissioned by Astoria Performing Arts Center with music, book and lyrics by InnissENT; released in June 2020 and presented as a new work exploring themes of power and identity.
Music, Book and Lyrics at Candyman (Prospect Theater Lab)
February 1, 2020 - February 1, 2020Candyman – a 10-minute musical piece created for Prospect Theater Lab; composer, lyricist and writer; performed at Prospect Theater Lab and related venues in early 2020.
Residency - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION at Catskill Residency, Catskill, NY
May 31, 2022 - June 12, 2022AFFIRMATIVE ACTION residency, part of a six-day writing and development cycle; worked on relationships and Act II material.
Music, Book and Lyrics at Polyphone Festival - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
April 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023AFFIRMATIVE ACTION featured show; festival appearance as part of new works festival at University of the Arts, Philadelphia, April 2023.
Music, Book and Lyrics at Polyphone Festival - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
April 1, 2024 - April 1, 2024AFFIRMATIVE ACTION featured song for the 10th anniversary festival concert at University of the Arts, Philadelphia, April 2024.
Music, Book and Lyrics at Polyphone Festival - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
June 1, 2025 - June 1, 2025AFFIRMATIVE ACTION featured show in Maine residency; six-day cycle focusing on Act II development, June 2025.
Composer, Lyricist at Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC)
June 1, 2020 - June 1, 2020Music, book and lyrics for 'Black Superman'; commissioned and produced by APAC.
Composer, Lyricist at Pinkhouse Productions / Jay Baron Sherman
August 1, 2020 - August 1, 2020Footwork — a short musical; music, book and lyrics by InnissENT; released August 2020; commissioned work.
Composer, Lyricist at Prospect Theater Company
August 1, 2020 - August 1, 2020Original works and new works presentations; collaborations and showcases.
Composer, Lyricist at Prospect Theater Lab
February 1, 2020 - February 1, 2020Candyman — 10-minute musical piece; workshopped and staged at Ailey Citigroup Theater; February 2020.
Composer, Lyricist at New York University
May 1, 2019 - May 1, 2019Professional read-in of Eben Ezra (Ebenezer) for NYU; May 2019.
Composer, Lyricist at Prospect Theater Lab
February 1, 2020 - February 1, 2020Candyman short piece; workshop and staging activity around 2020.
Composer, Lyricist at Various (Early Works)
March 1, 2017 - September 1, 2018I Wanna It, Came to Play, Love Songs, Pray, and Wrong Meh – concept pieces and developmental work posted in 2017–2018.
Composer, Lyricist at National Black Theater
August 1, 2022 - August 1, 2022I Am Soul Residency – virtual lab and development work for WITS Soul Series; September 2022.
Residency Participant / Composer at Polyphone Festival / University of the Arts
April 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023AFFIRMATIVE ACTION – new works festival showcases and residencies (April 2023, April 2024).
Residency Participant at Polyphone Festival
April 1, 2024 - April 1, 2024AFFIRMATIVE ACTION – 10th anniversary celebration; festival showcase (April 2024).
Residency Participant at Polyphone Festival
June 1, 2025 - June 1, 2025AFFIRMATIVE ACTION – Maine residency for development of Act II; 6-day program (June 2025).
Composer/Writer (Candyman) at Prospect Theater Lab
February 1, 2020 - February 29, 2020Short musical Candyman; book and lyrics by InnissENT; workshopped and presented at Ailey CitiGroup Theater.
Composer/Writer (Black Superman) at Astoria Performing Arts Center
June 1, 2020 - June 30, 2020Black Superman; Book and Lyrics by InnissENT; released June 2020.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Residency at Catwalk Residency
May 31, 2022 - June 12, 20226/6 day residency focused on AFFIRMATIVE ACTION; Catskills, NY.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (Residency/Showcase) at Polyphone Festival (University of the Arts, Philadelphia)
April 1, 2023 - April 3, 2023AFFIRMATIVE ACTION featured show; 3-day event; University of the Arts showcase.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (Residency/Showcase) at Polyphone Festival
April 1, 2024 - April 3, 2024AFFIRMATIVE ACTION featured show; 10th anniversary celebration at University of the Arts, Philadelphia.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (Residency/Showcase) at Polyphone Festival
June 1, 2025 - June 6, 2025AFFIRMATIVE ACTION six-day residency in Maine; worked on key relationships and Act II.
Grant Recipient (Keep Soul Alive Development Grant) at National Black Theater
September 1, 2022 - PresentKeep Soul Alive Development Grant Recipient; virtual lab exploring critical, work-in-progress scenes from WITS (Part of Soul Series Lab).
Semi-Finalist at National Musical Theater Conference
January 1, 2021 - January 31, 2021Semi-finalist for EBENEEZER (Music by InnissENT; Book & Lyrics by Mario Farwell).
Finalist at Polyphone Festival
November 1, 2020 - November 30, 2020Finalist for EBENEEZER.
Feet/Short Film Musical (Footwork) - Dumbo Film Festival at Dumbo Film Festival
August 1, 2020 - August 31, 2020Short musical Footwork; book, music, and lyrics by InnissENT; workshopped and staged; semifinalist at the festival.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at Prospect Theater Lab
February 1, 2020 - PresentCandyman – short musical (10 minutes); workshopped and staged at Ailey CitiGroup Theater.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at Dumbo Film Festival
August 1, 2020 - PresentFootwork – musical (short); workshopped and screened at the Dumbo Film Festival.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at Astoria Performing Arts Center
June 1, 2020 - PresentBlack Superman – music, book and lyrics; commissioned work.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at Prospect Theater Lab
August 1, 2020 - PresentThe Answer – musical piece; workshopped as part of the lab program.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at Prospect Theater Lab
May 31, 2020 - June 12, 2020CATS KILL (rewrites and demo recordings for WITS Prospective Theater Lab project).
Sound Designer / Composer at The Cullum Theater
November 2, 2017 - November 5, 2017The White Dress – sound design and original music; performance Nov 2–5, 2017.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at New York University
May 1, 2019 - PresentEben Ezer – music, book, and lyrics; professional reading (virtual), May 2019.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at New York University
May 1, 2019 - PresentThe Chest – music, book, and lyrics; professional reading, May 2019.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at Polyphone Festival (AFFIRMATIVE ACTION)
April 1, 2023 - PresentAFFIRMATIVE ACTION – 2023 festival; part of new works in development.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at Polyphone Festival (AFFIRMATIVE ACTION)
April 1, 2024 - PresentAFFIRMATIVE ACTION – 2024 festival; showcased as part of UArts festival concert and campus event.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at Polyphone Festival (AFFIRMATIVE ACTION)
June 1, 2025 - PresentAFFIRMATIVE ACTION – 2025 festival; 6-day Maine residency focusing on Act II development.
Composer, Lyricist, Book Writer at Prospect Theater Lab / Alley CitiGroup Theater
February 1, 2020 - PresentWrote music, lyrics, and book for Candyman, a 10-minute original musical; workshopped and staged at the Ailey CitiGroup Theater in NYC (Alley CitiGroup Theater) in February 2020.
Education
MFA – Musical Theatre Writing at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
September 1, 2009 - January 1, 2011BA – Music at Swarthmore College
September 1, 2005 - May 1, 2009MFA at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2011BA in Music at Swarthmore College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2009MFA in Musical Theater Writing at New York University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2011BA in Music at Swarthmore College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2009Qualifications
National Black Theater Keep Soul Alive Development Grant Recipient
September 1, 2022 - December 26, 2025I Am Soul Residency - National Black Theater Residency
August 1, 2022 - December 26, 2025Semi-Finalist, National Musical Theater Conference
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021Finalist, Polyphone Festival 2021
November 1, 2020 - November 1, 2020Finalist, Polyphone Festival 2023
April 1, 2023 - April 1, 2023National Black Theater Keep Soul Alive Development Grant
September 1, 2022 - December 26, 2025National Black Theater Residency - I Am Soul Residency
August 1, 2022 - December 26, 2025Keep Soul Alive Development Grant Recipient
September 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022National Black Theater Keep Soul Alive Development Grant
September 1, 2022 - December 26, 2025National Musical Theater Conference – Semi-Finalist
January 1, 2021 - January 31, 2021Polyphone Festival – Finalist
November 1, 2020 - November 30, 2020Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
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