I was super excited when I started school at Webster in the fall of 2006: It was the right size, I liked the people, it was close, it was quaint. It was fun. The classes were awesome. And I found out there was a one-act play festival called Surfacing. So I wrote a play and submitted it, and it was not picked.
But, I was friends with one of the readers/directors and the assistant artistic director as well, and they both said they liked my play, but that it was passed over for casting reasons (and apparently, one of the other directors was so upset it wasn't picked, he almost quit). But I didn't actually know the extent of all of that until last night.
But before I get there, let me just explain about this year. I took two semesters' worth of playwriting classes so I would have a nice selection of work to submit to Surfacing for this year. And when it came down to it, the only one I wanted to submit was too long. So I set about to write a new play, only I started too late and my idea was too grandiose and I missed the deadline.
Well, life goes on, right? I have another year to craft a play.
Only Thursday, which was already shaping up to be kind of a lousy day for various reasons, I got an e-mail from the Artistic Director (last year's assistand AD), and she asked me to write a play for her to direct for Surfacing.
!!
So, I met with her last night after work at Jimmy Johns in Maplehood, and we discussed what she wants. And what she wants is a new play by Elliot M. Rauscher. Sweet!
Only, I have a week and a half to get enough of a rough draft to cast from. So, okay, I've got a deadline.
But this is exciting! I actually got commissioned to write a play. Somebody likes my work so much that they will, sight unseen, agree to produce one of my plays. Guys, get this...Elliot IS a Writer! Yeah!
If it comes down to being a writer or running for president, I guess I'll be a writer. But I think I can handle both. I mean, actually, being a writer is a good thing in a president; don't we all want a literate president? I know I do.
Anyway, I just thought I would give you all the good news. I'll post more about when the festival is so you can come see my play. It'll be in April some time. It's exciting! Oh, and don't expect to see any excerpts from it on here...it will be all fresh and new for you in April. And if you can't make it, well, that's your own fault. For reals.
Music to blog by: Rufus Wainwright - The Art Teacher
5 comments:
I KNEW you were a writer!!
Well Elliot! WRITE ON!!!!!
maybe you could combine writing and politics and be a speech writer. have you seen "great moments in presidential speeches" on letterman? you could be featured there! good luck with the play...break a pen! b.
Congratulations, Elliot! I submitted a play I wrote while in Biology class my sophomore year, but it was not selected. I was, uh, not surprised. Ha!
You'll have to let me know when Surfacing is. When I was there it was always hit and miss. My freshman year it was AMAZING, same with junior year. Sophomore and Senior year, not so much. I'll be in attendance!
I want a literate president. At least in one language that's not Piglatin or somethin'.
Yea!!! Again!!! Congrats!!! I'm happy!!! (if you can't tell from all the exclamation points.) So...if you had to choose writer and president, you'd choose both, than where does that leave me? :(
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