Thursday, September 11, 2014

Update - Circa 09/11/14

It has been awhile...so here is an update, as well as some semi-shameless self promotion:

As I mentioned last time, I was going to (and did) apply for a gig at the Mat-Su College branch of the University of Alaska system. I also had a submission in for a tuition waiver scholarship. I have sort of held off on any new postings (though I have had some ideas percolating) until I had any news regarding either submission...

Well.

The first notice I received was in regard to the Mat-Su gig. I was, as the UA system likes to put it, "screened out". Which means that I didn't even make the cut to get a phone interview.

[insert pensive exhalation of breath noises here]

Classes started last Thursday (09/04/14). The results of the committee decision regarding the tuition waiver scholarship didn't come through until this Tuesday (09/09/14). And I wasn't selected for that either. 

I've been scrambling for funding, since I still have (had?) hope that I can/could get back to classes this Fall. The deadline for enrollment and payment of fees is tomorrow (09/12/14). So while I am still scrambling...

 [insert additional pensive exhalation of breath noises here]

That aside, I do think that my essay submission for the scholarship is worth sharing since I have had some folks ask why I want my degree/want to continue my classroom education. With that in mind, and as an admitted example of self promotion, here is the text of the aforementioned essay - the subject, because the scholarship was for 'returning/non-traditional students' was "What was your inspiration to return to school?":

-------------------------------------------------Essay begins------------------------------------------------
       My return to school has followed a convoluted path, with a spectrum of factors effecting my decision making process. These can be sorted into professional, personal, and philosophical motivators. There was, however, one group of experiences encompassing all three realms and which was key to my making the final decision to return to the collegiate experience.
       After my graduation from high school I attended a local community college (College of Lake County – Grayslake, IL) and graduated from there with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications. I then transferred to a four year university program at the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign, seeking a BFA in Theatre with a design emphasis. Because of certain developments in my life outside of academia I left school prior to my graduation from that degree program.
       Initially I was able to find some work locally, first as a freelance designer, and later as a non-academic staff member at a community college in the Urbana-Champaign area. While able to perform my duties at a reasonable level I still lacked certain skill sets which could best be developed through classwork and related production projects in an academic setting. As time progressed I continued to be able to obtain work. However there still remained skills that, due to the nature of the theatrical industry, were virtually impossible to learn 'on the job'. Because of this I found myself constrained to employment at a very specific level, with minimal opportunities for advancement or development as an artist.
       In the personal realm, I found myself feeling a lack of satisfaction. In part this was due to my having not reached the goal of receiving my Bachelors degree. I looked at family members who had made themselves promises over the years. People like my mother, who had promised herself that someday she would visit the town in Norway where her grandparents were born. A promise of someday which turned, over the years, into a never, and grew into a “I wish I had...”. Such experiences further fired my resolve to return to academia.
       Philosophically, I have always loved learning. It is one of my core beliefs that education can be a primary curative for the ills of the world. Beyond that I have a deep belief in the idea of the 'Renaissance person', one who is versed in a broad range of knowledge and skills. The very sort of educational basis that is found in the curriculum of a liberal arts education.
       These aspects found a final synergy while I was employed by a small theatre as a combination of tour manager, designer, technician, and actor for their educational touring program. In that program we (myself and three actors) would travel to various elementary and middle schools, performing short productions. I found it amazingly satisfying to help introduce young people to theatre. To know that, if even in some small way, my visit to a town of 400 people might inspire a child there to reach beyond expectations. This job also involved working with students in the theatres educational program. It thrilled me to see them take risks and to grow as people, and as artists. One day, while working with some students, one of them commented that I would “make a good teacher.” In something of an epiphany, I realized that being an educator was part of who I wanted to be.
       In answer to that epiphany I began classes at UAF in 2010 and am now just two semesters away from my degree. With your assistance I will be able to complete my goal. 
 ----------------------------------------------------Essay ends------------------------------------------------

 And that is really the key at this point: I have 11 credit hours remaining of my required classes. If I want to get started on an MFA program I need to be able to submit applications by the start of the Spring 2015 semester. Because theatre design MFA programs (generally) only accept applicants to start in the Fall semester. If I don't graduate in May 2015, I won't be entering an MFA program till the Fall of 2016...

So I remain hopeful (some angst notwithstanding) of being a member of the class of 2015. And I am thankful to all of you who have given me your support, in whatever form.

That's about the size of this update. As I mentioned above, I have some other essay/article ideas floating through my synapses and will be sharing at least one or two of them soon. Till then...

As always, assorted links below.




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                                              My school related fundraising site:
                                   Help Me Continue My Educational Momentum

              A portfolio of my various work and projects, both theatrical and otherwise. 

                                             My general, rather eclectic, Tumblr:
                                                     Semi-Random Shavings 


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