During his week-long residency at Illinois, Mr. Scheer will discuss his work in songwriting, original librettos, and librettos adapted from world literature in Europe and America.  He will explain what makes an exciting and coherent theatrical experience working with such disparate artists as Renée Fleming, Wynton Marsalis, Norah Jones, Ken Burns, Nathan Gunn, Tobias Picker and Jake Heggie.  Among other on-campus activities, he will conduct masterclasses and evaluate student work.