Auditioning
Deadlines For Auditions/Portfolios There are 2 application deadlines that correspond to 2 audition dates. Students submitting their application materials for the 1st Round Audition will have an opportunity (if necessary) to apply to the 2nd round Audition.
- Friday, December 7, 2012, 3pm, for a Saturday, January 12, 2013 Audition (1st round)
- Friday, February 22, 2013, 3pm, for a Saturday, March 9, 2013 Audition (2nd round)
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| HOW TO APPLY |
- The process of auditioning for the Creative Writing department begins by completing two application forms — one for Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, and one for the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). To begin this process, link to the school’s main website, http://www.sfsota.org, and look for the Admissions tab. Within that menu you can find both instructions and downloadable application forms.
- In addition to the two application forms, Creative Writing applicants must prepare and submit a portfolio
STUDENT PORTFOLIOS
See deadlines above.
The portfolio must include:
- Three (3) complete short stories
- Ten (10) poems
- One five-to-ten-page one-act play
- One expository essay (an essay you have already written for English class is fine)
- One current school photo of yourself (no candid or group shots, and only include one photo)
- One personal essay in which you should describe your reading background, writing practices, and your familiarity with the CW Department.
- All writing samples must be formatted in 12-pt. Times New Roman font. Submit work in a three-ring binder with the student’s name, grade level, telephone number, and email address clearly printed on the front.
- Choose your best work and do not submit more than the maximum number of pieces, as they will not be read.
- Portfolio work will be reviewed by the Creative Writing Director with the assistance of a writer-in-residence familiar with the program, and an invitation to audition will be sent based on this review.
- We recommend that you do not submit solely genre writing (sci-fi, fantasy, romance, etc.),and that you do submit a sample that demonstrates the variety and range of your work, including writing that demonstrates a unique voice.
- Portfolios that do not pass the initial review will be available for pick-up in the school’s office; please note that portfolios not picked up within one month of notification will be disposed of.
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PORTFOLIOS
- Do NOT submit a portfolio unless you have thoroughly read through our website. For samples of the kind of work we do, we strongly recommend that you read our student literary journal, umläut. The Literary Reviews, Playwriting, and Poetry sections of our site provide some examples of student work.
- We also suggest that you attend our reading performances, which are listed on this website’s Event Calendar as well as the SOTA website.
- The Creative Writing Director does not provide feedback on individual portfolios.
- We strongly recommend taking free creative writing workshops offered at 826 Valencia (http://826valencia.org/) or elsewhere.
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AUDITIONS
- After the portfolios are reviewed, students will receive notice that they have been invited to attend the audition if they are being considered for inclusion in the CW program.
- On Audition Day, students will be asked to complete two onsite creative writing assignments, and to participate with current CW students in an informal activity.
- Students will be asked to discuss themselves and their work in a personal interview with the Creative Writing Director and a writer-in-residence.
STUDENT ADVICE
“Keep in mind, when auditioning for Creative Writing, that you are subjecting yourself to a hard-working community that believes in support, determination, imagination and constructive critique from everyone, peers and teachers alike…. When I did my portfolio, I wrote the pieces, and then did a series of drafts for each one. I had someone else read my pieces and help me make edits…. For the interview, remember to talk about how you got interested in writing….. Be enthusiastic about the program and be yourself!” — Sasha Schmitz ’09
| “I was really nervous about my audition, but I realized that the most important thing was being myself! Don’t be nervous, everyone is very welcoming!” — Josie Weidner ’15 |
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“Re-writing is next to godliness. Re-writing needs to become ingrained in all good writers, so it would be wise for prospective creative writers to polish their portfolio no matter how beautiful it already appears.” — Eli Wolfe ’09 |
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