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Princess- I'm blushing! It's been so nice to get to know you and your amazing work, my friend. I have to say- I've found this forum to be such a big help (this year in particular). Crossing fingers, guys.

JNP809! I had the exact same thing happen to me- the generic "a decision has been made" prompt to check the website- felt pretty crappy. I followed up with both Sarah and Jeanie after the rejection and got a nice note back- nothing to illuminate why I didn't fit into their trio, but very nice. They did encourage me to apply again, but like I said- I got in touch after the rejection. You did nothing wrong- I know we don't know each other, but I feel confident saying that. If you really want it- go for it next year- I'll be rooting for you.

Singsalot! My good friend that applied (who I think has a really good shot at going) hasn't heard a peep from Brooklyn yet. I think there's still hope! Fingers crossed for ya!

Congrats all around, gang. lavendercloud- I've still got my fingers crossed pretty hard for Juilliard. I'm hoping that coming close to it last year will help me this year. I'll apply for the Public thing later this year! Other than that- I'll keep trucking along with my writing here.

Gang, Heard back from Yale and it's a no. Super bummed, but nothing to be done about it. Gotta pick myself up, and keep making work. Fingers crossed for Juilliard. Congrats Tate and CandinalBiggles- awesome!

Singsalot! It's at Gleason's Gym in Dumbo- tonight at 7 is closing. Here's the website: http://thelivingroomseries.org/-it's sold out but they are letting people in on stand-by. No one has been turned away! The people I met were across the board age/ethnicity wise. I was the oldest finalist (I think), but there were folks close to my age there as finalists or current students. I did here from one of the other finalists...he had been called by Jeanie to let him know he is in. So, it looks as though I'm getting the big NO from Yale. Fingers crossed, gang. Should know for sure by tomorrow.

Singsalot- I wish I had more intel for you! Lindsey Ferrentino came out of that program before going to Yale- she rocks my socks!

I've heard amazing things about Tina Howe as a teacher- might be worth the check out! And on the Juilliard front- the first round of interviews don't even happen until April (late April at that). Just to give you a little timeline.

Gang, Congrats on all the interviews and offers...so wonderful to read these posts. Just got back from New Haven last night. What a trip! I arrived on Wednesday night- met some of the other finalists and a current student in the lobby of the very swank hotel they put me up in. We all walked over to the Cabaret space together and met all of the current students over a few glasses of wine and some snacks. There were five finalists for each day of the interviews...so ten total. This year- 4 girls, 6 guys. My night it was me and four dudes- all of them were super nice and supportive. I can honestly say that I'd be happy for any of them if they got into the program. Everyone (current students and finalists) gabbed about the plays that got them to Yale. All of the plays sounded so compelling- and SO different. It's really clear to me that Jeanie O'Hare wants to put together a diverse group...and it seems as though having people in your year that have varied skills from your own wheelhouse makes for some good goddamn art. I asked so many questions- the overall vibe was this: When you are there- you are there. It's next to impossible to keep one toe in NYC (if that's your deal). The first year is super intense, but you meet amazing people and crank out plays. You end up with two full length productions under your belt from the department (though you can put more plays up at the student run Cab). All of them have four or five full length plays that will be ready to roll by graduation. The third years are having multiple agent meetings. People LOVE working with Sarah and Jeanie. Thursday started with a tour of the campus/facilities. Beautiful. Like Hogwarts- seriously. The spaces/rehearsal rooms are plentiful and really nice. The rest of New Haven is kind of gross if I'm being honest...the area right around Yale is nice but very hoity-toity. The outskirts- not so nice. Next was financial aide. The playwrights are FULLY funded. Tuition, books, and a stipend. No teaching, but a good number of work study hours (ushering, backstage, etc). The stipend is not huge- could be enough to live off of if you live thrifty for the three years. Still, pretty baller that you don't have to take out huge loans for a Yale degree. Then, I was off to meet Jeanie O'Hare. The hour FLEW by. Felt like I could've talked to her for hours. She was so complimentary and warm. Very relaxed conversation. Didn't feel like she was trying to drill me in the slightest. We talked about theater I love- and the theater I want to make. She was very honest about how hard it is for them to put their "years" together...and she said there are many factors. She also said that the turn around on this is fast- I'll know by early next week if they want me or not. EEEEEEEEEEK. After Jeanie, I met up with Sarah Ruhl. I tried very hard to contain my inner fan-gurl. Sarah is quiet, but fiercely intelligent. We talked a lot about current shows in NYC and where we see the paradigm shifting with audiences, and theaters. She was mostly curious about why I wanted to go to graduate school now- and why I wanted to be in that program. Again, it was very relaxed and I could have stayed for hours. She gave me a big hug as I left and I thought I was gonna pass out. Still jittery thinking about it. I honestly feel like it could be anyone's game. All of the finalists had passion, and really interesting sounding pieces. I feel like I'll be fine either way...and, there's still my dark horse race with Juilliard! I feel like I wrote a novella. Holy crap. xoxox

Lavendercloud!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSS!!!!! Yes. Yes. Yes.

Gang!! On the Juilliard front- last year, the first interview was with Laura Marks. She is LOVELY. Very casual. We talked about theater I love, and what kind of theater I want to make. We also talked about my production history, and the play I submitted. She was very open about their process. She told me that they interview about 20-25 people as semi-finalists, and then cull down to about 12 or so. She said that there are a lot of factors in how they put together their program. They look for writers that are very different from one another, and different from the writers they have in the program now...meaning the two years should have a lot of diversity. We chatted for about an hour and change. The second interview was with Marsha(!), and was wonderful. She wanted to know why I write- what keeps me up at night. So inspiring. It was about an hour. I left feeling really good, and confident. I was rejected via email- sobbed like a baby. There was another round of interviews after I was cut loose- a wine/cheese mingle-type thing. I found out from another finalist. Laura emailed me separately and encouraged me to apply again, yadda yadda yadda. Princess- let me know if you need some help with casting. The one benefit of slogging it here in NYC for so long, is that I have a stable of amazing actors that owe me so many favors. Congrats on Great Plains! It is supposed to be amazing! I'll give you guys a break-down of Yale after Thursday. Say a little prayer for me.

Singsalot! Congrats!! That's so great. I haven't applied, so I'm not sure, but a good friend of mine used to teach in that department. He said, if they are interviewing you- they already like your work. Be yourself, and know that they are feeling out how you might fit into the mix for the next couple of years. Break all the legs!

I'm asking for a good friend- anybody heard from Brooklyn College?

CardinalBiggles- I have a good friend that is in his second year at Nebraska and loving it- he's a super talented writer, and I'm watching his stuff get better. He says the "retreat-like" time there is invaluable.

Gang, I know that Juilliard staggers everything. They take their SWEET time. They sent me my interview semi final email in April, and then second interview in May- rejected last year late May. Tears through the summer. Not sure about the other programs.