Day #56 -- Mind Blown; The Best News Yet

07/26/2012

Wow.

So you may recall that on Day 13 I wrote to a new theatre in NYC, and then on Day 29 they wrote back saying they'd be in touch. Well they were in touch, and it far exceeded any expectations I could've possibly hoped for.

The AD wrote to me to say they wanted to fill some open time on their schedule with a small series of public readings of new works in NYC, and said they've enjoyed my "I Submit" blog so much they would like to include one of my plays. And the purpose of the readings would be to have "lively discussions about possibilities of future productions and to introduce the plays to our other NYC indie-theatre-producer friends".

GAH!

So today I sent them three synopses that fit the guidelines they sent me... and now I just hope the writing doesn't disappoint!

So if you're reading, Day 13: thank you again for reading, for the encouragement, and for this killer opportunity. I would love the chance to work with you :)

I think I'll need an extra finger of scotch to help me sleep tonight... or maybe some of that crazy Zzzquil.

Happy Thursday all!

Comments

Katy J

07/26/2012 3:36pm

Fantastic!! Great news; all strongest thoughts coming from our house to NYC that they love your stuff. :)

mamaliciousindc link

07/26/2012 6:49pm

Wow, that's fantastic!

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I submit. 365 days in a row.

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Sub·mit
Verb,
sub·mit·ted, sub·mit·ting.
1. to give over or yield to the power or authority of another
2. to subject to some kind of treatment or influence.
3. to present for the approval, consideration, or decision of another

If you are a playwright (or any author, really), you know that submissions are a necessary evil. Finding theaters that are open to submission, cover letters, synopses, 10, 15, 20 page samples, "reading fees", "hard copy only", include a SASE, vague questions about "how you will affect the community" or asking you to "tell us a little bit about yourself". And you can't really cut and paste too much, because each theatre has a different aesthetic, different goals, different questions.

Oh, and you literally have about a 99.98% rejection rate.

It sucks. But we all must do it. And too often I put it off, telling myself I'll do it later or that I shouldn't bother because I'll just get rejected anyway.

I used to be a slush reader for a literary magazine, and I truly empathize with theaters who read through hundreds and thousands of scripts. I know there is no easy answer, and I do not plan on talking shit about theaters on here. But I just wanted to a) motivate myself by setting a strict regimen and b) share my experiences and thoughts about the submission process, because I've learned that everyone hates this part of the job.

The Rules

Every day for a year, starting on 01 June 2012, I will submit a play, writing sample, or Letter of Inquiry to a theater or competition. Do I have 365 theaters in mind? Nope. But I will make it happen.