Party Celebrates Professor’s Memoir

Posted by MS

The Butler MFA event series, conversations@efroymson, celebrated MFA professor Chris Forhan’s new book, My Father Before Me, with a book party. The evening including a reading, Q & A, a dessert and coffee bar, and excellent conversation. In her introduction of Forhan, Mindy Dunn said, “With compassion and age-earned sympathy, Forhan discovers there may not be a dramatic answer to the twin riddles of suicide and identity, but that poetry—or writing a memoir—can allow him to turn the reticence he inherited into a most deliberate communication.”

forhan

Before Forhan read selections of his memoir he addressed the audience of writers. He discussed his motives and challenges of moving genres. When he first began the memoir, the poet thought writing prose was easy. He quickly realized the obstacles he faced. Thanking his colleagues for their help and advice, Forhan said he learned to write in a whole new way. “I had to think on the page,” he said.

Although his memoir is largely about his father and the aftermath of his suicide, Forhan read selections on writing. The audience found it humorous, laughing along with Forhan’s depiction of himself as a high school student dreaming of being a poet.

The next conversations@efroymson event will be Poetry Lunch Hour this Friday at 12:30. Email Mindy to RSVP.

Party Celebrates Professor’s Memoir

Posted by MS

The Butler MFA event series, conversations@efroymson, celebrated MFA professor Chris Forhan’s new book, My Father Before Me, with a book party. The evening including a reading, Q & A, a dessert and coffee bar, and excellent conversation. In her introduction of Forhan, Mindy Dunn said, “With compassion and age-earned sympathy, Forhan discovers there may not be a dramatic answer to the twin riddles of suicide and identity, but that poetry—or writing a memoir—can allow him to turn the reticence he inherited into a most deliberate communication.”

forhan

Before Forhan read selections of his memoir he addressed the audience of writers. He discussed his motives and challenges of moving genres. When he first began the memoir, the poet thought writing prose was easy. He quickly realized the obstacles he faced. Thanking his colleagues for their help and advice, Forhan said he learned to write in a whole new way. “I had to think on the page,” he said.

Although his memoir is largely about his father and the aftermath of his suicide, Forhan read selections on writing. The audience found it humorous, laughing along with Forhan’s depiction of himself as a high school student dreaming of being a poet.

The next conversations@efroymson event will be Poetry Lunch Hour this Friday at 12:30. Email Mindy to RSVP.

The Road House Experience

Posted by MS

Screen Shot 2016-09-13 at 11.24.16 AM

This Friday, September 16th at 6:00pm, conversations@efroymson presents its most Swayze-esque event ever — Pain Don’t Hurt: A Road House Experience.

Join your friends and community for the greatest Butler event in history: a live reading of the cinematic gem Road House. Butler’s MFA students will perform the roles for your amusement. Somewhere in the mess, we will have a discussion about what makes a good screenplay and a timeless film.

Also, free pizza.

Scripts will be provided. Please contact John Eckerd with questions. If no one shows up, John Eckerd will be forced to eat all the pizza and perform the script as a one-man show. Please don’t do that to John Eckerd.

 

Screen Shot 2016-09-13 at 11.28.22 AMMastermind and host, John Eckerd, answered questions about Friday’s epic event.

  1. Wait. This is an MFA in creative writing program. Why present a live screenplay reading?

Firstly, because they’re fun. Secondly, part of being a writer (at least a writer of fiction) is an understanding of dramatic structure. Experiencing a fantastic screenplay, that’s a great way to gain access to that structure. Plus, it’s fun. Did I mention that already?

  1. So…. why Road House?

Road House is one of those strange movies. It’s a cult classic, but not one of the obvious ones – it’s not Monty Python’s Holy Grail, it’s not Rocky Horror. The movie is very funny, but also very brutal. It’s sexy, it’s weird. Honestly, there’s just nothing like it, and I think people respond to that.

  1. What are some other screenplays you were considering?

There was a short list of movies that fall into the category of beloved but not widely “respected.” The Fast and the Furious, for example. Road House was our first choice, though. There’s this great gangster movie I’d like to do as well: Sexy Beast, which is just fantastic.

  1. How long will the reading take? What happens after?

We’re guessing around two hours, but it should be a tight, fun evening. Afterward, I’d bet the farm on an informal cast party at everyone’s favorite nautically-named dive bar.

  1. How do you feel about your cast?

I think I mentioned this on the facebook post, but this cast is basically a dream. Kyler Moor is the charismatic everyman we deserve. The esteemed Maggie Sweeney is the enigmatic and wry female lead. Tristan Durst is going to ham it up as the bizarre villain Brad. The main cast is rounded out by Phil McNealy as the gruff, dangerous Wade Garrett, and Greg O’Neill is pulling a double shift as our narrator and Jimmy Reno, the karate henchman.

  1. Will there be any martial arts or bare-handed de-throating?

I would hate to give anything away!

  1. What else should attendees know?

There has never been a literary event like this, and probably never will be again.

6. Will there be any martial arts or bare-handed de-throating?

I would hate to give anything away!

7. What else should attendees know?

There has never been a literary event like this, and probably never will be again.

The Road House Experience

Posted by MS

Screen Shot 2016-09-13 at 11.24.16 AM

This Friday, September 16th at 6:00pm, conversations@efroymson presents its most Swayze-esque event ever — Pain Don’t Hurt: A Road House Experience.

Join your friends and community for the greatest Butler event in history: a live reading of the cinematic gem Road House. Butler’s MFA students will perform the roles for your amusement. Somewhere in the mess, we will have a discussion about what makes a good screenplay and a timeless film.

Also, free pizza.

Scripts will be provided. Please contact John Eckerd with questions. If no one shows up, John Eckerd will be forced to eat all the pizza and perform the script as a one-man show. Please don’t do that to John Eckerd.

 

Screen Shot 2016-09-13 at 11.28.22 AMMastermind and host, John Eckerd, answered questions about Friday’s epic event.

  1. Wait. This is an MFA in creative writing program. Why present a live screenplay reading?

Firstly, because they’re fun. Secondly, part of being a writer (at least a writer of fiction) is an understanding of dramatic structure. Experiencing a fantastic screenplay, that’s a great way to gain access to that structure. Plus, it’s fun. Did I mention that already?

  1. So…. why Road House?

Road House is one of those strange movies. It’s a cult classic, but not one of the obvious ones – it’s not Monty Python’s Holy Grail, it’s not Rocky Horror. The movie is very funny, but also very brutal. It’s sexy, it’s weird. Honestly, there’s just nothing like it, and I think people respond to that.

  1. What are some other screenplays you were considering?

There was a short list of movies that fall into the category of beloved but not widely “respected.” The Fast and the Furious, for example. Road House was our first choice, though. There’s this great gangster movie I’d like to do as well: Sexy Beast, which is just fantastic.

  1. How long will the reading take? What happens after?

We’re guessing around two hours, but it should be a tight, fun evening. Afterward, I’d bet the farm on an informal cast party at everyone’s favorite nautically-named dive bar.

  1. How do you feel about your cast?

I think I mentioned this on the facebook post, but this cast is basically a dream. Kyler Moor is the charismatic everyman we deserve. The esteemed Maggie Sweeney is the enigmatic and wry female lead. Tristan Durst is going to ham it up as the bizarre villain Brad. The main cast is rounded out by Phil McNealy as the gruff, dangerous Wade Garrett, and Greg O’Neill is pulling a double shift as our narrator and Jimmy Reno, the karate henchman.

  1. Will there be any martial arts or bare-handed de-throating?

I would hate to give anything away!

  1. What else should attendees know?

There has never been a literary event like this, and probably never will be again.

6. Will there be any martial arts or bare-handed de-throating?

I would hate to give anything away!

7. What else should attendees know?

There has never been a literary event like this, and probably never will be again.

Three Unique Ways to Enjoy Art in Indy

Posted by MS

Indianapolis created fresh, fun, and unexpected ways to appreciate the thriving arts culture. Grab a friend or a few fellow MFA students to have a totally new experience. If you aren’t inspired, you are at least guaranteed a good time.

imgresMini Golf at the IMA

Mini Golf at the IMA (Indianapolis Museum of Art) combines original art with playful competition. The course features 18 holes designed by local, regional, and national artists. In honor of Indiana’s bicentennial, each hole is inspired by Indiana history, heritage, and landmarks. Refreshments are available from King David Dogs and Sun King Brewing at the course’s clubhouse. Butler students receive a free membership to the IMA and can play golf for free.

Bonus: While at the IMA, don’t forget to check out 100 Acres, one of the largest museum art parks in the country and one of only a few to feature ongoing commissions of temporary, site-responsive artworks.

imgres-1Fort Ben Writing Prompts

Throughout the summer and fall of 2016, local Indianapolis poet Liza Hyatt will place writing prompt boxes throughout Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park inviting visitors to write about their experiences there. Written material created at Fort Ben will be published on For Ben Writer’s website, providing a community forum. All contributors to the Fort Ben Writers online literary journal are invited to read their work at a public reading at the park on October 1st.

Bonus: Called “an oasis of green in an urban landscape,” Fort Ben is less than ten miles east of Butler’s campus and filled with adventure for the mind and body. Landscape and history blend together at this former US army base. The 1,700-acre park features both paved and rugged walking and jogging trails, bike trails, picnic sites, fishing, horseback riding, and two national historic districts. Several local restaurants are located in the former army barracks and smith shops, including a craft microbrewery and Porter Books and Bread, where diners are encouraged to select books to read while visiting.

Public Art Bike Tour

September 17th, 2016 at 09:15 am – 12:00 pm (Sat)

Art is all around us in downtown Indianapolis! Experience it yourself on a casually paced bike ride through the city to search out and discover a variety of public art installations along the way.

Stops on the tour include murals, sculpture, electronic art, civic art on and around the Statehouse, and the iconic Monument Circle in the heart of downtown. Arts Council Director of Public Art Julia Muney Moore will guide the art seekers through the Mile Square.

Tour starts & finishes at Sun King Brewing (135 N College Ave, Indy 46202), and takes two to three hours with multiple stops to admire and discuss selected artworks. After the public art bike tour, stay for an art chat over a complimentary pint courtesy of Sun King! Bring your own bike, or rent one for $10. Registration is required.

Bonus: If you didn’t get enough art from this tour, cruise the 8-mile cultural trail which just gained eight large sculptures made of steel, bronze, aluminum and glass by noted New York artist Don Gummer. The temporary exhibition, called “Don Gummer: Back Home Again,” adds to the already existing large-scale art pieces along the trail. See photos and read about the exhibition here.

Welcome Back. Now Get Involved!

Posted by MS

The Butler MFA greeted the incoming class and welcomed back current students at our annual Welcome (Back) Party. This social gathering builds friendship within our writing community and also gives students a chance to hear from each other about the diverse ways to get involved in the Butler MFA community.

welcome back

The Butler MFA offers many opportunities for writers outside of classes. From first years to thesis candidates, all students are encouraged to get involved. Many successful authors agree the biggest advantage of an MFA degree is the community, and these experiences are designed to build a supportive writing community as well as enhance your writing education.

Like & Subscribe 

We have a Facebook page where you can see reminders of upcoming events, information about literary events and conferences, and news about current students and alumni. Also, subscribe to the blog by email (check the sidebar) so you will be up-to-date on all the latest news and opportunities.

Attend Literary Events

One of the nation’s best reading series, the Vivian S. Delbrook Visiting Writers Series regularly hosts public readings and Q & A sessions with some of the most influential people in contemporary literature. The program offers an average of 14 events each year, all of which are free.

In addition to the VWS series, the MFA-run conversations@efroymson  series offers a diverse lineup of niche authors and interactive workshops.

Read for Booth

Booth is Butler’s award-winning literary magazine. Readers and editors are all MFA students. Reading for a literary magazine has multiple benefits: improving your own writing, understanding how publishing works, and building a community. Plus there’s free food! Email Rob Stapleton for more information.

Be a Writing in the Schools Mentor

Writing In The Schools (WITS) is the Jefferson Award-winning partnership between the MFA program and Indianapolis Public Schools that strives to foster the creativity of young writers through mentorship. This rewarding opportunity is highly recommended by past mentors as a way to gain teaching experience, build meaningful relationships in our community, and positively impact a young person’s life. Visit the WITS website for more information.

Volunteer for a Wellness Writing Group

The Butler MFA believes the Indianapolis community can benefit from the proven powers of creative writing. The Wellness writing initiative trains MFA students to lead therapeutic writing groups at diverse locations. This semester, groups are planned for Indiana Women’s Prison, Indiana Youth Group, Eskenazi Hospital, and American Village Senior Home. To get involved in this outreach, contact Hilene Flanzbaum.

Poetry Lunch Hours

Part of the conversation@effroymson series, these bimonthly casual meetings are a great way to get involved in your MFA writing community and have meaningful poetry discussion. Led by Mindy Dunn, the poetry discussions are low-pressure, inclusive, and open to poetry readers of all levels. Because Mindy emails a short selection of poems directly to those who RSVP and provides lunch, it has never been easier to discuss poetry. Come see why the PLH continues to grow each year. See the schedule here or email Mindy for more information.

Attend Dialogue

Looking for a completely fun way to discuss your writing away from the formal workshop atmosphere? Or just looking to eat free food and laugh with some of the most entertaining members of the MFA community? Come to Dialogue. Planned by Tristan Durst, Dialogue is a student-only monthly gathering that will leave you inspired, energized, and with sore abs from laughing. Check out the Facebook page or email Tristan for more information.

Introduce yourself to Mindy

The Butler MFA has the best administrator in the world. Her goal is to make your MFA experience satisfying.  Many positions, both paid and volunteer, are available to MFA students at Butler. Some examples include writing camp mentors, bridge workshop leaders, teaching fellows, and publishing editors. Meet with Mindy to let her know your interests and talents so she can connect you and help you gain experience to meet your goals.