"Hamlet" - NTPA Student Film

🎭 Hamlet – A Cabaret-Style Reimagining by NTPA

This bold reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet was staged as a cabaret-style theatrical film by students of North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA). Directed by Sunnie Saenz, the production transforms the tragic story into an emotionally charged, musically driven experience.

Set in the haunting halls of Elsinore, Hamlet is thrown into chaos after an encounter with his mother’s ghost. As betrayal, love, and identity collide, this adaptation breathes new life into a timeless question: to be or not to be.

I composed 45 minutes of original music for this production, creating an atmospheric and modern score that complements the theatrical storytelling and cabaret aesthetic.

Composed and arranged the full-length score using Ableton Live

Blended live instrumentation, synth layers, and vocal textures to mirror the emotional intensity of each scene

Created distinct musical motifs for characters and narrative themes (revenge, grief, betrayal)

Developed underscores and transitions to support monologues and ensemble scenes

Collaborated with the director and performers to sync emotional tone and musical pacing across scenes

Elsinore’s Echo – Intro theme with ambient pads that transition into cabaret music

Ghost's Theme – Dissonant strings and haunting drones

The full film is available to watch here:

(Runtime: ~98 minutes)

My music is woven throughout the production, supporting soliloquies, intensifying dramatic shifts, and adding weight to silent tension.

This project challenged me to compose for a hybrid medium, somewhere between live theatre and film. I learned how to balance music with spoken Shakespearean language, keeping the emotional tone clear without overpowering the text. It also deepened my skills in long-form scoring and collaborating with a large creative team.

If you’re looking for dynamic and emotionally intelligent music for theatre or film, I’d love to hear about your project. 📩 [Get in Touch]