MSC Students Engage with the Music and Insights of Singer and Songwriter Susan Werner

Merle-Smith Campus Music teacher Rob Riker has followed singer-songwriter Susan Werner’s career for thirty years. So when he learned that she had composed the music for a musical adaptation of the 1988 film Bull Durham, he saw an exciting opportunity for students. The project, which began in Atlanta ten years ago and is now being staged at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, offered a unique chance for students to experience the creative process behind a professional musical while connecting with a celebrated artist.

On Saturday, October 25, sixteen Upper School music and theater students traveled to Paper Mill Playhouse to see Bull Durham: The Musical and participate in a talkback with the cast and creative team. Included in the panel was Susan Werner herself, lyricist and composer of the show. Susan later visited the Merle-Smith Campus on Wednesday, October 29 as the 2025 Carlock Artist-in-Residence, performing at an assembly for the entire Upper School and sharing insights about songwriting and the creative process.

Susan’s career began after earning a Master’s in Voice from Temple University. She initially gained recognition for contemporary folk albums released between 1993 and 2001, inspired by artists such as Nanci Griffith. Over time, she expanded her musical interests to modern songs in the tradition of the American Songbook, creating albums exploring topics like faith, social responsibility, American farmers, Cuban music, and New Orleans jazz and blues. Her work on the musical adaptation of Bull Durham, which premiered at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in 2014, represents her continued evolution as a composer and performer. It is this musical, being revived and adapted this month at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ, that brings her to our area and ultimately to our stage. 

Known for her wit, versatility, and engaging stage presence, Werner captivates audiences with songs that range from reflective and socially conscious to humorous and playful. She first visited Moravian Academy in 2001 as an artist-in-residence, sharing her insights on the music industry, songwriting, and the influence of her Midwestern roots. Her return this fall allowed students to engage with a new chapter of her impressive career.