Since stepping down as Literary Manager of Nylon Fusion Collective in late November, I’ve been looking at my life as a playwright a little differently. I’m still committed to my merry band of writers and we have some tricks up our collective sleeve for the upcoming year. I’m also committed to Bentley’s Nose, a [brand-]new New York-based theater company dedicated to bridging the gap between Dartmouth undergrads and post-college life in theater. Our first project will be a workshop of a new play of mine entitled The Reluctant Lesbian. We’ll spend a week rehearsing and playing and will present it on the Saturday afternoon of Winter Carnival. I couldn’t be more excited to spend a week in Hanover making theater with very very talented people. As soon as I’m back from that, I’m starting a screenwriting class at NYU with the intention of adapting The Tutor into a marketable screenplay. I’ve read a handful of screenwriting books, but have never taken a class, so it should be a fun experiment.
Just before Christmas, a conversation with a playwright mentor sparked my desire to push beyond what I’m doing now. To take chances and ask questions and risk rejection. Since then, I’ve actually made a spreadsheet of 20+ residencies and fellowships and playwriting competitions to be aware of and to apply to. Something about the new year (and sometimes Thanksgiving, for whatever reason) always instills this desire to really push harder and do new things. 2011 was a wonderful year for my writing life. I was blessed to have two plays produced in New York. I also endeavored to develop my interest in producing further. Let’s hope that 2012 has wonderful things in store as well!
