EccentricDreamer

I received the same email, too! Okay, so it's confirmed from your posts...I won't be seeing 'Other Desert Cities' anytime soon. I saw a video preview on the NYT and I was like, "Really???" I'm reading 'Rabbit Hole' by David Lindsay-Abaire now and love it. The dialogue is so real and gripping. My husband said the best plays are the ones where the narrative/story comes through in the dialogue (as opposed to a monologue every five pages). He's not even a playwright and he recognizes that!

themirandatragedy, I read August and really liked it. I had to read the old man's monologue three times for it to seep in. I like most of Tracy Letts' plays, but I have to admit, he can be tragically dark at times. Did you read/see his play "Bugs?" Apparently, they made a movie out of it but I try to avoid movies that they adapt from plays. They're usually not that good. What was it about Osage County that you didn't care for? @tjack ~ And yes, this forum is totally cool! Everyone is so supportive.

Hey everyone, Bookmark the American Theatre Wing on your phone or desktop - http://americantheatrewing.org - if you haven't already. They have some of the most fascinating playwright interviews and everything to do with theatre. ATW is also the organization that gives out the infamous Tony Awards! Do you guys ever dream of winning a major prize like the Obie, Pulitzer, Tony, etc? Or is simple making great theatre that turns you on? I'd have to say both!

Favorite plays, gosh there are so many but I'll keep it short. I love the ones that rip your heart out and leave you wondering where it is. My list: Most plays by Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Eugene O'Neill and August Wilson 'night Mother by Marsha Norman Blues for an Alabama Sky and Flyin' West by Pearl Cleage I Never Sang for My Father and You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running by Robert Anderson Blue Door by Tanya Barfield Bulrusher by Eisa Davis A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry Doubt by John Patrick Shanley The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice The Subject Was Roses by Frank Gilroy I know a lot of people like him, but I'm not a big Albee fan. @failsafe ~ Read and see everything you can. I'm blessed that the Seattle Public Library has this huge play section. It's awesome.

Hi failsale ~ Thanks for all the amazing inside info. This puts a lot of things into perspective. I do hope your dreams come true this year. What's your theatre experience? Have you written many plays? Are you an actor or part of an ensemble? One's writing can only get better with time. I didn't submit to the Lark, BAPF, or anywhere too much this year; I was too focused on submitting grad apps! Yet, I'm glad the submission period is over. I have time to write a bit more. vonnegrunt ~ I considered UCLA (as I'm originally from Cali), but when it came down to it, I really wanted to be on the East Coast. But their program does sound exciting. To all ~ I admire many of you for your perseverance. This is my first time applying to schools. I've been writing plays (and acting) for over 8 years now (wow! It's amazing to see that in print) and now am ready to take things to the next level. What's your story?

From what I understand by trolling and googling, is that rejections tend to be made before acceptances. Now this all depends on the school, of course, but it makes sense. Does anyone know if Yale, NYU or Brooklyn College does interviews? I've heard acceptances can happen with or without an interview. Also, here's a provocative question...would you still pursue an MFA degree if there was no funding?

Congrats Teethwax! This is my first time to applying to grad school. My BA is in journalism but I fell in love with theatre many years ago. The schools I applied to: NYU Juilliard Brooklyn College Yale Letting the days pass now. What else can one do? Oh, I know, read lots of plays!! Continued success and good luck to everyone out there. There's so much helpful advice and encouragement in this forum.

Zissou ~ Yes, the waiting can be long. Sometimes I want April to get here already. At the same time, I have enough on my plate at the moment and would only drive myself crazy obsessing about it. I applied to the O'Neill. Did you as well? I had forgotten about it until I saw your post! Don't they announce all the semi-finalists in one batch? I figure they'll make an announcement in their newsletter as well. Time to get some shuteye!

You're welcome Trilogy!! Now, we sit and wait... LOL

Hi Trilogy Fan, The goal is to always send in your best work - and best means that you've worked on that particular piece a LOT. As you know, plays are always a work-in-progress so sending in an "untested" sample is probably not to your advantage. Before you send it, have your actor friends read it out loud so you can hear it. Because from what I've learned of this process, the writing sample is what will put your application on the top above everything else. That writing sample could be the difference between you being a finalist and receiving a rejection letter. I submitted a full-length play to all the programs that required one (the play I submitted has been developed and won several awards and contests.) Many programs also accepted one-act plays. NYU, for instance, wanted a 80-page max portfolio, so I submitted the first act of my full-length and two 10-minute plays. This requirement allowed me to show the variety of my writing which was great. I hope this perspective helps.

Like you, Decaf, I read this thread from beginning to end. Amazing! There were definitely howls of laughter mixed in with empathy for folks whose hearts were broken. So, I'm taking the plunge and applying to: - NYU (app is in) - Brooklyn College - Yale - Columbia I'm hopeful. What else can you be, right?