...And I won! It's pretty satisfying to say those two words: I won. Rarely can I say them so I'm afraid I enjoy it too much.
But yes, I am a national finalist now. This means a trip to Washington DC and an opportunity to workshop my script at the Kennedy Center. I mean, that's a venue I would get excited just to GO TO, let alone see my work onstage. So, yes, this is pretty much the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me. The week was good. Tiring, but good. I got a random kiss in an elevator to top it all off which, if nothing else, is another great story. And I got a pretty nasty cold which I'm still getting over. Oh well... Life is good.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
ACTF: The Beginning
I got down to LA yesterday and I'm already in the swing of things. ACTF seems pretty exciting, if for nothing other than the performances we'll get to see. I'm waiting for auditions for my play to begin. I'm excited to see how it does. My director, Terry Petrie, seems cool and I know my dramaturg. I think the process will be a great learning experience for me. I see the actors out in the hall and it looks like a pretty excited group. Some obnoxious things are going on (personal life-wise) about which I will probably rant soon enough. But for now, I'm ignoring everything but the task at hand: taking full advantage of the opportunities afforded me here. I think it'll go well. Wish me luck at auditions.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Writer's block...I guess...
I've been commissioned to write a play to be put on this summer. "Commissioned" means money. Does this help me to write more? No. I've actually been at a loss as to what to write for quite a while. I've finally set out on what has proven to be the best idea I have so far (which really might not be saying much) and it's shaping up nicely. It's typical of me, I must say. It deals with love and relationships in a cynical and pragmatic way. Surprised? You shouldn't be. For a confessed hopeless romantic like myself it's astounding to me that I am so inept at writing anything remotely idealistic or romantic. I suppose it's just as well. After all, there are plenty of people filling the modern media with unlikely stories of boy-meets-girl sensibility. Maybe someday I'll join their ranks.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Democrats
Another letter to the editor that The Daily Universe (for some reason) deemed inappropriate for publication. This is in response to a claim made that one cannot be an LDS Democrat. Enjoy...
I am delighted to finally see some sense in the Readers’ Forum. Though we still have a long way to go, Friday’s “Immoral Support” was certainly a step in the right direction. BYU’s negligence in addressing this important issue is alarming and it’s time we all realize the truth: it is impossible to be a Democrat and an active member of the Church.
We all know that democrats openly support the desecration of the law of chastity and the slaughter of innocent babies, propagate the global warming myth which undermines all revealed doctrine concerning the Second Coming, question the motives behind our holy crusade in Iraq, and slander our pious leader George W. Bush. How can the Lord’s University put up with a secret combination like this? How can we tolerate a group of people who vote using a Ouija Board, who feast upon aborted fetuses, and who sacrifice a Republican virgin every month at the full moon?
It’s time we who support the laws and ordinances of the Restored Gospel take a stand against these wolves in sheep’s clothing and declare before the world that we will no longer support their unhallowed and iniquitous practices and beliefs. The time is coming when BYU applications will ask for political ideology in consideration for university placement and bishops will require proper political affiliation for temple recommend interviews.
Though a complete political cleansing is not yet possible, we can at least distance ourselves from those whose so-called convictions will lead us straightway into hell. We must stand united in purging this hallowed ground from the influence of the father of lies and those who choose to follow him. And there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I am delighted to finally see some sense in the Readers’ Forum. Though we still have a long way to go, Friday’s “Immoral Support” was certainly a step in the right direction. BYU’s negligence in addressing this important issue is alarming and it’s time we all realize the truth: it is impossible to be a Democrat and an active member of the Church.
We all know that democrats openly support the desecration of the law of chastity and the slaughter of innocent babies, propagate the global warming myth which undermines all revealed doctrine concerning the Second Coming, question the motives behind our holy crusade in Iraq, and slander our pious leader George W. Bush. How can the Lord’s University put up with a secret combination like this? How can we tolerate a group of people who vote using a Ouija Board, who feast upon aborted fetuses, and who sacrifice a Republican virgin every month at the full moon?
It’s time we who support the laws and ordinances of the Restored Gospel take a stand against these wolves in sheep’s clothing and declare before the world that we will no longer support their unhallowed and iniquitous practices and beliefs. The time is coming when BYU applications will ask for political ideology in consideration for university placement and bishops will require proper political affiliation for temple recommend interviews.
Though a complete political cleansing is not yet possible, we can at least distance ourselves from those whose so-called convictions will lead us straightway into hell. We must stand united in purging this hallowed ground from the influence of the father of lies and those who choose to follow him. And there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Ugh...
It's time to vent. Indulge me...
Note to self: always be a problem SOLVER. This has been building up for quite some time and is usually compounded in gatherings accompanied by large quantities of sighs, small voices, complaints, and forlorn looks. I don't know why people continually see the need to find the problems in a situation and ignore any possible solutions. To those of you whose laundry lists of grievances include no plans for improvement I invoke the immortal words of The Eagles: "Get over it!"
On an unrelated note, can we please stop masking inadequacy with weirdness? I suppose a theatre major sees this more than most but I do not like the reputation the marginal few (or at least I HOPE they're not the majority) give to the "artsy fartsy" crowd. You can usually spot a bad actor/writer/director/etc. simply by looking for the one who can't fit in at parties. Yes, I know artists have a right to a sampling of eccentricities and I know that I am not the most normal man you'll find. But might we abandon the false notion that such abnormalities define our artistic merit? The argument could be made to the contrary. Please no more ridiculous outfits to try and stand out, no more strange outbursts in crowded restaraunts, no more belting "Wicked" at inopportune times. If you're an artist your work will speak for itself. If you're not...well, maybe that's why you're singing "Wicked." (Was that mean? It really is directed at no one in particular. Except perhaps Winnie Holzman.)
And finally, can we all stop being so cynical? I was talking to a friend the other day who couldn't understand how Oprah earned the respect she has. He was convinced that everything the woman does it a marketing ploy and that her activist humanitarian stance is merely a facade to keep herself in her position of power. You know, I don't know Oprah. Frankly, I don't think I've ever watched an entire episode of her television show. But why should we, a people who claim to be anxiously engaged in a good cause, tear down those who appear to be doing just that. Oprah doesn't have the market cornered on this. Anyone in the public eye who sets out on any altruistic endeavor has his or her motives immediately called into question. We scrutinize those people who are affecting positive social change more than anyone else, it seems. I'd like to, once again, throw in my two cents here: leave them alone. There's enough garbage to clean up and anyone engaged in doing what's right is at least going in the right direction. Let's be positive? Okay.
Note to self: always be a problem SOLVER. This has been building up for quite some time and is usually compounded in gatherings accompanied by large quantities of sighs, small voices, complaints, and forlorn looks. I don't know why people continually see the need to find the problems in a situation and ignore any possible solutions. To those of you whose laundry lists of grievances include no plans for improvement I invoke the immortal words of The Eagles: "Get over it!"
On an unrelated note, can we please stop masking inadequacy with weirdness? I suppose a theatre major sees this more than most but I do not like the reputation the marginal few (or at least I HOPE they're not the majority) give to the "artsy fartsy" crowd. You can usually spot a bad actor/writer/director/etc. simply by looking for the one who can't fit in at parties. Yes, I know artists have a right to a sampling of eccentricities and I know that I am not the most normal man you'll find. But might we abandon the false notion that such abnormalities define our artistic merit? The argument could be made to the contrary. Please no more ridiculous outfits to try and stand out, no more strange outbursts in crowded restaraunts, no more belting "Wicked" at inopportune times. If you're an artist your work will speak for itself. If you're not...well, maybe that's why you're singing "Wicked." (Was that mean? It really is directed at no one in particular. Except perhaps Winnie Holzman.)
And finally, can we all stop being so cynical? I was talking to a friend the other day who couldn't understand how Oprah earned the respect she has. He was convinced that everything the woman does it a marketing ploy and that her activist humanitarian stance is merely a facade to keep herself in her position of power. You know, I don't know Oprah. Frankly, I don't think I've ever watched an entire episode of her television show. But why should we, a people who claim to be anxiously engaged in a good cause, tear down those who appear to be doing just that. Oprah doesn't have the market cornered on this. Anyone in the public eye who sets out on any altruistic endeavor has his or her motives immediately called into question. We scrutinize those people who are affecting positive social change more than anyone else, it seems. I'd like to, once again, throw in my two cents here: leave them alone. There's enough garbage to clean up and anyone engaged in doing what's right is at least going in the right direction. Let's be positive? Okay.
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