PrincessIsInAnotherCastle

I have been away from the board for a spell, ya'll. Busy with multiple projects. I got to see Zissou's AMAZING play here in NYC last month. (It. Was. Amazing! I adore her!!!) And have just generally been busy as hell. But congrats on all the acceptances! And for those who haven't been accepted somewhere -- keep applying if it is what you really and truly desire is grad school!

Briglee -- WELCOME to the board! ZISSOU -- 1. See you at your play tonight! Cannot wait! (I am going to see a play ZISSOU wrote!) I would LOVE for you to get into the program, as I have stated. And I am pulling for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Question: How old were the applicants at YALE? Mostly 20s? Just curious.

Yeah, the qualifications of what constituted diversity... as well as the terms of the release for the HBO thing was a topic of MUCH debate all over the interwebs. And I think you hit the nail on the head with your statement above, lavendercloud. It's a potential in at HBO, though. And I have, like, 17 ideas for them. So I went for it. (If you want the MOST RIDICULOUS release ever in the history of releases, go to the amazon TV Pilot open submission window... It is basically, "Thanks for this. We own it now and never wanna talk to you again." I started my application for HBO the night before. Wrote what I think is a KICK ASS essay. Logged on at 12 noon EST the next day. Correction -- ATTEMPTED to log on. The site was down due to the traffic. It took me until 2:25 EST to actually get the site to load, (and several emails back and forth WITH HBO and imdb, who runs the withoutabox website) but I finally got the application in...with a confirmation and everything... And now, I welcome their dismissal with open arms... and re-play that "Loser" song that was posted awhile back that I will dig up and re-post... Such a great song....!

"My parents dragged me across the counter when I was a teenager" Oh my... Yeah. But... GREAT parody of a country song lyric, lavendercloud...Oh, typos... But, yes -- see where you are going to live... (counters and all) BREAK LEGS IN YOUR YALE INTERVIEW TOMORROW ZISSOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I am breaking my/Strunk and White's rule of only using one exclamation point for you.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) In self-involved news, I either have the same sinusitis currently keeping Peter Gallgher out of ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY... or it is quite possibly a reemergence of the plague... So I gots to keep this short, yo... AUSTIN/MICHENER situation sounds good, Tate12!

Singsalot -- It doesn't seem like anyone has heard about brooklyn or the new school, yet... :/

I am so fucking happy for you, Lavender Cloud! (Sent you an email to your personal address.... Just wanted to say it publicly!!!) ZISSOU -- OF COURSE we are sending you love for your interview... And THANKS for the info regarding the Juilliard process. I think it was truly invaluable. And thanks for your offer to provide thoughts regarding casting of this little reading I am lucky enough to be having. I'm gonna send you a private message. We have just one actor we're looking for, still. And we need a powerhouse... (It's ALWAYS the toughest role to cast, for some reason.) Tate12 -- keep on keeping on, man. You're doing great! Genericingognito: Have you had your interview with Ohio, yet? rock it! ALL -- Thanks for the congrats on the GPTC and Paul Enger Reading Series! FYI, rejected by Last Frontier. So, my Sally Field moment has past, alas... "They" no longer like me...lol Better news is... I FINALLY figured out an avenue to go down to fix a TV pilot I have been stalled on. And I had three ideas for new plays today. Two of them are legitimately theatrical. One of them... Probably wouldn't make a very watchable Lifetime Movie, even. So I shall shelve that for now... Can I just say -- I love the genuine support, input and intelligence on this board. You guys rule, and I am happy that many of you feel like you are finding your creative homes for the time being. For those who are not there just yet -- know that this isn't the end of the road! You never know what is around the corner.

I would say that it takes a good play -- plus a WHOLE lot of chance. You apply to many things. You get one or two of them. You don't get most. There's just no rhyme or reason, really. I seemingly have a lot going on, suddenly, to be sure. But GPTC and the Enger reading series both happened AFTER I applied to grad schools. And I only applied to those things because I was "in the habit" of sending the play out, writing an essay, etc, thanks to grad applications. (Truly, I had NEVER sent this play to any festivals before. Energy begets energy). So for that alone, i am grateful to the process. But without recreating my essay herein, I applied to grad school because I crave -- and asked for from each institution -- 1 or 2 or 3 years where I could reconnect to, deepen, specify, and amplify my voice. I want to be challenged. I NEVER know what I am writing when I start it. Every time is new. Anyway, I wanted the auspice of a program to support me through some of my forthcoming creations -- and to allow me to support others in theirs. But if I need to continue to find my own path, I will. Ya know?

ZISSOU -- What were the Juilliard semi and finalist interviews like when you did them last year...? What did each of those steps of that process entail? YOU ROCK THAT YALE INTERVIEW, LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!! (No pressure, but you are our representative. We send you forward in peace as a brave and presumably talented emissary... LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!) SINGSALOT -- CONGRATS ON THE NYU INTERVIEW! I went to NYU Undergrad for acting and have strong opinions about the level of debt going there leaves you in. (In fact, I wish lavendercloud had been around then to counsel me wisely as to the economics of life and art). Additionally, I have attended readings of 3rd year plays. About 4 or 5 of them. To be blunt: they weren't fabulous. GRANTED -- it was ONLY those 4 or 5 plays that I have seen. Others were likely stronger. But I think the students at NYU deserve MORE for the time and money invested. They deserve full productions. Period. (Michener and Juilliard are entirely different situations, obviously... They are spaces where you are let loose to create as much as you can... and you don't pay a dime!) Why do I feel so strongly about the NYU thing, though? I don't know. I think because I believe that the theater is not an idea, it is a tangible, 3-dimensional event. You can write for years on paper, and what does that get you? Anyway, as for me: rejected from UCLA and Yale. Know I will be rejected from UCSD, as well. However, it was publicly announced Friday that the same play I submitted for grad school applications will be one of the 5 mainstage shows at The Great Plains Theatre Conference. "5 out of 578 scripts." With more than a few current or past Yale students also participating. So... The outside validation makes me feel good. (Since someone will inevitably google me and figure out my... "Bruce Wayne" rel life identity, maybe I should update my website with the developments of the last 18 months...lol... But Zissou seems to use her real picture as herself, so ... eff it!) Anyway, I am old enough to recognize that outside validation is very, very dangerous. The work must be an end in and of itself. But there's a little Sally Field in all of us... (They like me! They like me!) Also, a play of mine is having a reading on Tuesday March 10 at 7 p.m. as part of the Paul Enger Memorial Play Reading Series, which is cool. Desperately trying to assemble a cast for that. If any one is in NYC and wants to come see it, drop me a line privately. (WARNING: The whole thing could be a fabulous disaster...) I guess I write all of this to echo a sentiment ZISSOU attributed to Lucy Thurber in an earlier post: Grad school isn't the only avenue. There are many paths. The way to get a play done is to do it. Because that is what plays are. They are events. They are not merely literature, meant to be read. It ain't easy to get things up. And even if you do, getting people to come is almost impossible. But grad school is no guarantee, either. SO MANY PEOPLE come out of these programs and are never heard from again... And now a word from Teddy Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” (I bolded sentences that strike me as particularly appropriate to our current "rejection connection." Also, on some days, boldface font is the only thing that does the trick! Anyone heard about The Lark, Last Frontier, or... any other such festivals...?

ZISSOU! YAY! Congrats! A user by the name of Teethwax had an interview with Yale on here and posted extensively about it. You might be able to search for his or her comments and see what s/he had to say about the process! You are right when you say that living in NYC, there are 2 programs that open the most doors. Yale and Juilliard. Even with one of those programs to your name, though, it is also a lot about making your own work once you are out in the so-called read world... I don't know. It is all so, so random, as you've said, and there is little causality between who gets opportunity X and whether or not it will even lead to situation "Y." Therefore, I think the only thing any of us can do is work our asses off -- and then RUN with the opportunities we are given or which we achieve for ourselves... So, Zissou -- GO FOR IT! And keep us posted!

LAVENDERCLOUD -- I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU, LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You ROCK that interview! I know that you will. Sending you great vibes and lots of love! Also -- AMAZING news about the solicitation! ROCK ON!!!! Yeah, seriously. YALE is way, way late... Unless NOBODY on here knows anybody who HAS been contacted by Yale this year. Which seems statistically unlikely. Anyway -- if someone has heard something about Yale, please chime in. (I am talking to you lurker looky-loos! lol...)

mcw98 -- did they ask for your transcripts during that process? Just curious... I, too, am in a similar boat, as you... (Late 30s. credits, laurels, etc.) Wondering if ALL these programs are mainly geared toward folks just outta undergrad, etc. As you said, though... There is just no way to tell for sure...

Interesting article, to be sure! Regarding the letter from Mr. Ehn, I stand by my post in reaction to the letter from LAST year and would apply it to what I know so far about this year's letter. Regarding your feeling that YALE calls might have possibly gone out today, SINGSALOT... Possible, I guess. It IS February 20, already. But we haven't heard anything yet from anyone... So take a breath. Know that we are all feeling it, too -- and keep writing!

Wait -- does Juilliard reach out and ask for the letters of rec? Or do you just have to provide them BY February...? I cannot remember the process. (However, I believe I submitted mine along with the application...)

Question: Where does everyone learn about applying for fellowships, etc. There is a GREAT reddit board, I know... Where else, though...? I feel like LAVENDERCLOUD is a source of amazing info, and I want to thank her for sharing so much... Keep holding on, lady!

Wowzers! I go away for two days and the board explodes! LOVE IT! REGARDING SUBMISSIONS: -- The development programs, it is a very odd thing to be asked, "How will this program help you?" DUDE and/or DUDETTE! I have never BEEN to your program. All I know about it is what you say and its reputation, so... How the hell should I know? lol... (Again, I never SAY that. Just the unexpressed, inner bitchy/scared monologue...) My first time out, I was a semifinalist at The Oneill. Then I was rejected out of hand, for everything. Then I became a finalist at The O'Neill. Then more rejections. But -- I learned last week that my play was selected for a semi-known reading series here in NYC and... I learned today that it was selected for LOVELY theater conference taking place... I cannot actually say what it is, yet (not the Alaska one)... But... after not hearing from UCSD OR UCLA and realizing that Yale and Juilliard are, you know, crazy hard places to get into... It was nice to read the sentence. "chosen out of 578 scripts as one of the 5..." I WAS JUST, LIKE -- I mean... I am STILL HIGH on the news! And, you know... I know it doesn't change who I am, and all of the work we get or do is almost always self-generated, regardless. But...wow. We really do need that wave of outside approval from time to time. There is a little Sally Field in all of us. "You like me! You like me!" lol... Anyway, everyone -- Keep on Keeping on!

Oh -- has anyone heard anything from YALE, yet?

Damn those Presidents and Their Day!!!! lavendercloud: UCLA has updated their application login website to allow you to check decision status -- BUT -- it doesn't actually work yet.... When you log in, you get an error message. They are undoubtedly just updating things... See below.... https://grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/applicat.htm Application Decision Decisions for the fall term are generally not available until February at the earliest, and may not be made until April or even later. Questions about whether hard copy of supplemental application materials have been received should be directed to the major program. Decision Status Login

Congrats, Tate 12! I haven't heard from UCSD, so I guess they are out for me, most likely...

CardinalBiggles -- you funny! Next week, of course, MIGHT bring news of interviews and rejections ... or just more waiting. Sooooo... Here we go

Plost5950 -- thanks for the link. I definitely was not referring to there not being any 2015 results as of yet. I was, simply, somehow completely dreadful with the search... Ha! Anyway -- THANK YOU for that... Here are the questions asked of visual artists that someone posted on that thread. If nothing else, it will get you thinking... As I said, they are slanted toward visual artists... How does your work fit in with the contemporary art world/scene? Why do you want to go to XXXXX? Why do you want to go to grad school? Why now? What resources of this program will be the biggest benefit to your development as an artist? What is your work about? What are your influences? What for you constitutes a good work of art? What draws you to a piece of work? What motivates your work? Who are your main influences? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? How does your work fit in with the contemporary art world/scene? What do you think is a good critique of your work/bad critique? Why/how did you choose the people who wrote letters for you? How will you contribute to this program? What do you do for fun? What artists do you like? (you can have a list prepared) What artists who are no longer living influence you? What book are you reading right now? What do you think about it? What are you working on right now? Please explain this work (xxxx03.jpg) What is your favorite piece of art? Why? (Title, artist,year) Can you describe yourself, such as personal habit, etc. Do you get along well with others ? What would you bring to a group dynamic ? What do you think is a good way of criting ? a bad way? What other aspects of culture influence your work besidesart/art history? How do you see yourself taking advantage of this school’s enviroment/program? What exhibition have you been to in the last year? What have you done since you’ve graduated? What contemporary artists are you into, and why? Tell us about the conceptual underpinnings of your work? Talk about your process. What do you think about *this essay*? (related to your work) How is your work related to *this movement*? Do you have any questions for us? What do you think about (artist, movement, subject/topic) What can't you stand? Why? What do you think about your own work? How do you want your work to develop? Why are you making the work you're making, and why do you want to keep doing it? Meaning behind your subject matter? influences why grad school, why now?

plost5950 -- YAY! I am legitimately glad you enjoyed the dialogue in THE FLICK and got so much out of it! That is what I love about art and playwrighting: That everyone can connect or not connect, get something or not. The piece should still exist and be produced. We need many voices! So, thanks to your first time post, I just FOUND the results section. Doesn't seem like the playwrighting MFA folks post regularly there. But those that do seem to indicate ain't no one heard nothing. (Also, searching the results board for "playwrighting" or "playwriting" yields 0 results with ANY spelling of the word. Am I doing something wrong? The search for "MFA" is better, but then you have to wade through all the crap...) Regarding interview questions: Someone on the Art/Sculpture/Visual arts board wrote a great list of interview questions. They are certainly slanted toward visual art, but they serve any creative type well... I will try to find them and post them here...

Sorry, LavenderCloud. But perhaps you will find your "silver lining" soon! I LOVED the "First Aid Kit" and Garfunkle & Oates videos!!!! (I played Garfunkle and Oates's "Pregnant Woman Are Smug" for a pregnant friend the other day. We laughed so hard!) Thank you, Genericincognito! (Love your user name, btw!) And I agree about the subject matter and theatricality of BENGAL TIGER, too! As I have probably said previously, I didn't apply to Michener because I could not live in Texas for, well, one Texas-sized second. (I was in Houston on a tour with a show for a lengthy sit down some years ago). Austin is great, sure. And I know the program at Michener is great, too. (All that freedom and funding!) But -- here's a comedic, tongue-in-cheek silver lining for you guys: The bright side is, you aren't going to have to live in Texas! Yee-freaking-haw! For my part, I continue to await my first contact, which will likely be a rejection. The new weekend is now upon us, though. So... more waiting! ALL of my contacts will probably be rejections, I realize. I am all but 100% certain it will happen this way. It seems to be the rule, rather than the exception. (Still, I DO feel great about 3 of my applications. I produced the fourth too quickly, I think.) But regarding these forthcoming rejections, I offer the words of one very special Texan: "Bring 'em on!" I am still going to write... And fight for productions of my work. And I hope all of you will, too. Because in this age where 120-characters pass for wit and wisdom and worth, the world needs REAL writers. So write on!

Honestly, it didn't resonate in the theater for me much, either... It, at times, felt like one of those Andy Warhol movies that happen over eight hours -- and in real time...? (NOTE: I have only ever HEARD about these Andy Warhol films. I saw about 2 minutes of one once and was, like, "Yeah. I get it. I have other stuff to do.") For my part, I don't know why THE FLICK is a PLAY vs. an independent film, say. (Other than the author SAYING it is a play. Which IS enough of a reason to "make it be" a play, on one level, I believe.) That being said, it was obvious that most everyone in the audience the night I saw it felt similar frustrations. So much so, in fact, that the Artistic Director of Playwrights Horizons had to write an open letter to his subscribers to address their rather vocal annoyance with the piece. As to what an MFA committee would think of THE FLICK? Who knows...? There are TONS of plays that I find to be intellectual exercises rather than actual plays. (BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHADAD ZOO is one of these, for my money. It's not even particularly well written, in my opinion.) But... BOTH of those folks, Annie Baker and Rajiv Joseph -- both are also INDISPUTABLY talented writers whose work I have "clicked into" in other pieces. Taste is just so varied. So individual. If I had seen THE FLICK on a day when I was in a better mood, or with an audience that wasn't AUDIBLY verbalizing their annoyances DURING the play... would it have changed my experience...? Maybe. Probably. But maybe not. I guess my point is that there is so much randomness to the decisions of the "taste makers." What one person says is a GREAT play, another person thinks is rubbish. Neither is "right" or "wrong." ALL THAT WE CAN DO -- truly -- ALL that we can do is the work itself. Just do the work. Let others say and decide what they will. If you need to write, then write. Just Keep on Keeping On...

Genericincognito -- Fret not. It is all arbitrary and there is no rhyme or reason. There are people on here in the past who were rejected right away from three schools and accepted at others. (A real world example: Some people LOVED Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THE FLICK. Other people haaaaaated it. Many were just indifferent and wished it wasn't quite so long). There is absolutely no right or wrong when it comes to judgment calls about the quality of a writer's work. Do something nice for yourself. Try to envision what YOUR great play might "look" like. And sit down and write a little bit of it. I UNDERSTAND how much it sucks. Truly. Hang in there...

Starsandsound -- I BELIEVE I applied to last frontier this year, yes... That is the one in Valdez, Alaska, correct? Have you heard something about it...?