HELP BEVERLY SMITH-DAWSON “GET SCHOOLED” – FINALLY!
I have always admired people who knew what they wanted to do in life, and then went on about the business of doing it. They are successful because they are certain of their talents and use them to contribute to the world. It has taken me, however, all my life to learn and accept who I am, what my talents are, and how best to make my own contribution.
Now is the time! I have been accepted into the MFA Program in Dramatic and Broadcast Writing at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London starting Fall 2021! I applied because I want to be the best writer I can be – not just for myself, but to inspire and encourage others to do the same! And to honor family members - those who have passed on and those who are still here - and friends, colleagues and supporters who never gave up on me!
I have studied and worked as a hospital administrator and consultant; a stage director, producer, playwright; a university lecturer. My family and I were living on the brink of financial disaster. My main focus in school was to get the degree as quickly as possible in order to get a job. I never thought about enjoying the learning process, seeking a degree that matched my talents, developing a career, or networking. Just get the degree and go to work.
My mother, although the youngest, was the first in her family to go to college. She was an avid reader and movie-goer so I grew up first with books and then with film. While I was working in hospital administration in California, my mother visited me and came to my office. She was so proud of me and my job that she started crying. I started crying, too, because I was miserable. She told me that my life was too precious, and that I must live it doing what made me happy. I quit my job and returned to school. I chose theatre.
After earning my degree in directing, completing a playwriting fellowship in Minneapolis, working as an assistant director on a play that went to Broadway and Vilnius, Lithuania, and finishing a directing fellowship in Washington, DC, I settled in New York City where I was able to direct, write, produce, and teach.
Then my mother became ill, and I returned home to Phoenix, AZ to help take care of her. Theatre opportunities were extremely limited. Fortunately, I was offered a three-year Theatre Lecturer contract at Arizona State University. In the second year, my mother died. Before the end of my contract, I was offered the opportunity to pursue the tenure track. I didn’t accept it because I finally realized that I am a writer. Not a lecturer. Not a professor. A writer!
Then “9-11” happened. Instead, I moved to Los Angeles to stay closer to my family. Although I was accepted twice to USC, I couldn’t raise the funds to attend the first year. I returned to Phoenix to take care of one of my sisters. Although she now lives independently, I am still here because I have been unable to earn enough to leave. I continue to write and have received recognition for my work. Now is the time! IOU – I won’t give In! I won’t give Out! I won’t give Up!
I so appreciate your time and consideration of my request! Thank you!
p.s. - For samples of my writing and more about me, please go to:
www.ladyblacksmithwriter.wordpress.com
GOAL: $50, 000 for the first year. (Classes start OCT 1, 2021)
PLEASE NOTE!
The first year's tuition, travel, school and living expenses, etc. can be paid in two installments!
-$30, 000 (DUE: AUG 1, 2021)
-$20,000 (DUE: DEC 1, 2021)
I have always admired people who knew what they wanted to do in life, and then went on about the business of doing it. They are successful because they are certain of their talents and use them to contribute to the world. It has taken me, however, all my life to learn and accept who I am, what my talents are, and how best to make my own contribution.
Now is the time! I have been accepted into the MFA Program in Dramatic and Broadcast Writing at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London starting Fall 2021! I applied because I want to be the best writer I can be – not just for myself, but to inspire and encourage others to do the same! And to honor family members - those who have passed on and those who are still here - and friends, colleagues and supporters who never gave up on me!
I have studied and worked as a hospital administrator and consultant; a stage director, producer, playwright; a university lecturer. My family and I were living on the brink of financial disaster. My main focus in school was to get the degree as quickly as possible in order to get a job. I never thought about enjoying the learning process, seeking a degree that matched my talents, developing a career, or networking. Just get the degree and go to work.
My mother, although the youngest, was the first in her family to go to college. She was an avid reader and movie-goer so I grew up first with books and then with film. While I was working in hospital administration in California, my mother visited me and came to my office. She was so proud of me and my job that she started crying. I started crying, too, because I was miserable. She told me that my life was too precious, and that I must live it doing what made me happy. I quit my job and returned to school. I chose theatre.
After earning my degree in directing, completing a playwriting fellowship in Minneapolis, working as an assistant director on a play that went to Broadway and Vilnius, Lithuania, and finishing a directing fellowship in Washington, DC, I settled in New York City where I was able to direct, write, produce, and teach.
Then my mother became ill, and I returned home to Phoenix, AZ to help take care of her. Theatre opportunities were extremely limited. Fortunately, I was offered a three-year Theatre Lecturer contract at Arizona State University. In the second year, my mother died. Before the end of my contract, I was offered the opportunity to pursue the tenure track. I didn’t accept it because I finally realized that I am a writer. Not a lecturer. Not a professor. A writer!
Then “9-11” happened. Instead, I moved to Los Angeles to stay closer to my family. Although I was accepted twice to USC, I couldn’t raise the funds to attend the first year. I returned to Phoenix to take care of one of my sisters. Although she now lives independently, I am still here because I have been unable to earn enough to leave. I continue to write and have received recognition for my work. Now is the time! IOU – I won’t give In! I won’t give Out! I won’t give Up!
I so appreciate your time and consideration of my request! Thank you!
p.s. - For samples of my writing and more about me, please go to:
www.ladyblacksmithwriter.wordpress.com
GOAL: $50, 000 for the first year. (Classes start OCT 1, 2021)
PLEASE NOTE!
The first year's tuition, travel, school and living expenses, etc. can be paid in two installments!
-$30, 000 (DUE: AUG 1, 2021)
-$20,000 (DUE: DEC 1, 2021)