SeaLou

Offered an intern position at Portland Stage! And got an interview with Kitchen Theatre!

@smooshie I agree with Lavendercloud. I was heavily involved with my college film community but I don't have a reel to show for it. I hated the work I made - most of the time I directed not writing. Regardless, make work you're proud of whenever you can. I'm sure that's not new advice. And yeah, debt is a huge part of that college industry. I would also encourage you to work wth theatres, both traditional and otherwise (comedy/improv) and maybe get a foot in that way. @lavendercloud I had my second interview with Portland Stage last Friday. Think it went well. Will be notified by the end of this week. Haven't heard from any others.

@smooshie Congrats on your acceptances. I don't know too much about dramatic writing MFAs but a few years ago I was looking into screenwriting programs. One of my advisors received his MFA in screenwriting at UCLA and spoke more about the connections he made than the program. His advice was in that field it's more important to go to a school with good connections that allows you to rub elbows with those in the industry. I don't know if anyone else has been told the same on here. As for waiting for a "better" program, I can't speak to that. This was my first year applying to mfa playwriting programs and didn't get in anywhere so... yeah, not the best resource for that. But I know a lot of people are in that boat so I don't know. I'm using this year to try and get some internships. Second, the journalism programs seem like a great get. Do those programs cover all your expenses?

Congrats, Tate! That's awsome. Also enjoying that relief, lavendercloud. Iowa and Ohio rejections came in this week.

@annabananaphone That's what I thought. I wasn't counting on an acceptance letter. I knew about the people from this board, so great to see people getting in. I know lavendercloud has spoken highly of the program. Of course, more detail would be nice - very cool you visited. Really wishing I had applied to Brooklyn now but maybe next year. Really wanted to steer clear of NY, primarily for fiscal reasons.

@asimpleton. That's a great question. I also haven't heard from Iowa or Ohio but my application says under review. If anyone has any insight on that, it would be great.

I agree with the struggles of applying but of course the highest congratulations to those who have gotten in. Update on my end, it seems rejected from all programs but I did just get an internship interview at Portland Stage so I can't be too down.

That's great, genericincognito. Congratulations. @mcw98 - I didn't apply there but have been applying to a lot of apprenticeships and internships, one of which (Studio Theatre) didn't send me a confirmation email. I'm probably going to shoot them an email to check if I don't hear from them soon. I would do the same in your case.

That's a bummer, Zissou and Singsalot. Sending positive thoughts for Juliard and the rest of your programs, Singsalot.

Congrats Tate and CardinalBiggles!

@princessisinanothercastle, I can't speak for Zissou but from the conversations I've had with my Yale contact, it seems the age varies. He was 22 or 21 when admitted and I think he said there were others in their 30s. And I could be wrong, but I think you can see the current or previous Yale playwriting students if you dig through their website. Although that could be for Brown...

Very interesting read, Zissou. Thanks for sharing. Jeanie O'Hare has always seemed like the greatest. Would love to talk to her about her time with Royal Court Theatre. So many great playwrights have put on such amazing work there. Love the In Yer Face movement.

Totally agree with you, lavendercloud. My girlfriend shared it with me and the lack of fiscal support really shot it down for me. One of my undergrad professors got his degree at UCLA with student loans, still paying them off. He said the degree was worthless with the exception of the contacts he made. There shouldn't be a price on rubbing elbows or shaking hands. Then again, that's an extreme example compared to the HBO initiative.

Yeah yeah yeah! Way to go @genericincognito! Congratulations!

I agree with everyone's sentiments on the companionship of the board, really glad I found this place. Congrats again to everyone getting interviews and again to lavendercloud. On another note, did anyone apply to the apprenticeship at Studio Theatre? I sent in my application, haven't gotten a confirmation email.

Congratulations! That's amazing!

Also received the Yale letter. Appreciating the brevity. Anyone know anything about Iowa?

@singsalot Congratulations. That's great to hear. @lavendercloud PM'ed you

@tate12 Thanks a lot. I'll definitely be looking into that. I also agree about the debt. Then again, I know quite a few of my professors still paying off graduate debt. I guess it really depends on income. I know when I was looking at screenwriting years ago, I had heard it was almost impossible to go to UCLA or Tisch without taking on some debt.

@Lavendercloud Do you have any resources for internships? I'm scouring Playbill and still have good contacts with professors but I was wondering if you had any personal resources? I realize, of course, those you mentioned were reliant on your institution. I'm living about an hour outside of Austin, TX and I can't seem to find any local theatre positions in Austin or San Antonio.

Lavendercloud - In regards to your question about time away from plays, I'm currently looking for theatre internships and/or real jobs (part-time work). I just got my undergrad in December so I'm a little unsure as to what to do while not applying for and hoping to get into graduate school. I've thought about working in Europe for a while, getting a work visa or doing volunteer work. In all honesty, though, I'm really not fucking sure what to do. Speaking on debt, I'd like to find something to pay off loans while waiting for grad school. I think learning another trade, specifically one that might inform the aesthetics of your pieces, like graphic design, is a good way to go. Do you do any other sort of writing you can see yourself earning some income while playwriting? Poetry, fiction, etc?

Genericincognito- I got the same email. It stumped me for a while but I took it simply as a thank you and we hope the best in case things don't work out at Ohio. Then again, I've been compulsively checking myOhio so that's simply what I'm assuming since it doesn't say rejected or anything on those lines.

Barista I agree. I mean, that makes sense to me, but all of my applications still say they're being reviewed. Yale and Ohio were the two that sent out intervirws. I'm also waiting on Iowa. And yeah, when I saw that Yale sent out interviews, I wanted to go lie in the yard and stare at the sun. I'm starting another play instead. It's not as self-destructive, I guess.

Congrats, Zissou! This is my first rodeo and my second post, actually. It's great to see people getting interviews. And Singsalot, I feel you. I'm waiting on three schools, got rejected from Brown and the other schools I'm "waiting" on have already sent out interview requests. On that same note, those that have been here longer, are interviews staggered? Do the schools send out notifications all at the same time or do they do rounds?

Hello All, First, I've been looking at this forum on and off since I decided to apply to graduate school this year. It's been a source of great inspiration to see so many people accepted and terror to see so many people accepted. What drove me to post, was the last post by lavendercloud - you're not dense - which I just saw myself. I was minutes away from putting in my application at Indiana and proceeded to triple check all the IU pages as I frequently do before I submit something and... they're not accepting anyone? What the what. I literally (or two days ago) just spoke to Ruth McKee over email regarding where I should send my transcripts. She gave me an address. I'm so confused. Does anyone have any insight into the change? Perhaps anyone currently at IU? On a non panic inducing note, Brooklyn College is great from what I've heard from professors. I don't know if it's been covered but I've had a professor who worked with him and a playwright from New York say Mac Wellman was a womanizer, preferred female students - idle gossip, perhaps. Also, hello again.