themirandatragedy

Hey writers, I was a regular in this forum a couple of years ago. I don't know what got into me tonight and decided to check how things are going on in here. THIS FORUM WAS MY BIBLE. And I'm so glad to see it's still running and helping writers all over. I'm currently in my second year Indiana University's MFA playwriting program. Some of you were asking on more info about it: I think there are two main things that make this program worth it. 1. The Money. IU gives you full tuition plus a very generous stipend (16K-ish a year) in exchange for an assistantship. 2. The Opportunities of Production Because the program accepts only one writer a year, they are not only able to fully fund them, but also guarantee a MainStage production on the playwright's second and third years (I'm actually on a break from doing re-writes to my second year script which will get cast in two weeks, start rehearsals in February and go up in April). I'd truly recommend looking into applying here. The program is ran by Ruth McKee. Hope you all get your deadlines in! Keep writing! Miranda

That's great! No, he didn't have a play at the lab, but he lives in Valdez and got to attend

Longwalktonever, No, but a friend was! Was your play read at the Play Labs. What's the name of your play?

Indiana University Bloomington. I had to choose between them and Ohio, and yes, it was a very hard thing to do. But I'm happy with my decision. Glad to see you chose USC, longwalk! I've heard really good things about that program.

teethwax, Where did you decide to go?

Got into San Francisco State's MFA program. Gotta say no, but it's nice to know I got in.

Hey guys, I got wait listed both at Arizona State (#1 alternate on the list) and Ohio (in the running with 4 other four writers). I got offered a spot at Indiana, which I'm totally stoked about! I'm strongly leaning to giving Indiana a HELL YEAH! soon, especially since I'm not the 'waiting' type of person and they were my first choice too. So it shouldn't be too hard of a decision. This forum has been so helpful through this application process and I'm hoping everybody gets in somewhere and keeps working in their writing. This has been three years in the making so I'm really excited I finally get to start working towards that MFA I've always wanted. Thanks a lot guys, Miranda

Wow tjack, congratulations! Iowa has always been a dream school for me. You're gonna do great there!

Congrats, remains! Good luck at CMU!

Rejection from Columbia.

Yale rejection. Oh well...

Remains, I'm also at SETC, just got in right now. What exactly are you gonna be doing here? Are you writing anything for the Ten Minute Short Plays competition? We should meet up and talk!

Up to last year my plays always returned to the themes of family and and estranged relationships. I found however that although the plays worked (at least I hope they did), I was too caught up in the past, and my characters were afraid to move on (as was I) into new things. I have forced myself to try something completely new with the new play I'm writing. It's period (which scares the shit out of me) and I have to do a lot of research in order to give it historic accuracy. It's definitely been a slower process than just imagining characters and putting them onstage with no background whatsoever, but it has taught me to love it and cherish it even more. When I look back at my past plays I see lots of beats in them were based on my experiences growing up in a somewhat broken home, and that's okay to draw from for a playwright, but only to a point. I'm excited about expanding my horizons and trying new things, and I'm just now realizing how self-fulfilling and enjoyable writing is for me again when I'm not writing about my own past.

Congrats, teethwax. Wow. You're gonna do great.

My personal favorite is: "if you're not an experienced actor, take the advice of your 3-show-experienced friend, NO MATTER HOW BAD IT SOUNDS."