This past Friday, Northwestern’s MFA Writing for the Screen + Stage department held it’s annual showcase, featuring the work of the year’s graduating MFAs. Each of the 12 members of the cohort were allotted 10 minutes for a table read done by professional actors and directors from around the Chicago area. The talent was undeniable, the show a pleasure to behold, and the entire evening a delight. In addition to watching the highly entertaining and thought provoking work of these amazingly talented burgeoning writers, the night featured some guest stars including…
Julia Louis Dreyfus. (That’s right, it’s Elaine!)
Brad Hall. JLD’s husband and producer on such shows as SNL, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Frasier.
(By the way, both Julia Louis Dreyfus and her husband Brad Hall are alumni of Northwestern. Feels so good to wear purple sometimes.)
We were also graced with the presence of…
Amanda Watkins, the Director of Development at the Araca Group in NYC.
And last but certainly not least…
Kia Corthron, playwright, and Academy Award Winning TV writer for The Wire.
I’m truly counting my blessings right now as I look back on what unfolded but a few days ago. For the first time, all the hard work my cohort and I have been putting into building our portfolios really felt like it paid off. Not only did these notable people watch a play by little old us, but they actually seemed to enjoy it! I must, at this point, give many thanks to David Kersnar from Lookingglass Theater for directing my scene, as well as to Leah Karpel, JJ Phillips, Stone Pinckney, and Mandy Walsh for their spot-on acting in my atypical little story.
In case you are interested, here is the link to my Showcase submission. It is the hook scene from my play Lucky Penny –> Press Here. If you are interested in reading the full script, please contact me by email at hollywould.ink@gmail.com.
hollywouldink 
May 7, 2012 at 11:08 am
So besides seeming to enjoy it, did you get any feedback on your work from the notables? Were they watching/listening or acting in the scenes? I liked the scene as well, I may have to request the full script.
May 7, 2012 at 11:14 am
Yes! Thank you for asking. I have two major theaters now interested in workingshopping Lucky Penny. The feedback was amazing. Best compliment was gained after telling a notable Development Director that not only is this my one and only play, but it is still in it’s 2nd draft (instead of, say, the 10th or 20th). Their response to that was, “Then…how is it SO good?” The general consensus was that I have a very original and distinct voice, in addition to the talent and passion to go far.
May 7, 2012 at 12:58 pm
That’s Great!
September 14, 2014 at 2:50 am
I like looking through an article that can make people think.
Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!