CalArts MFA Creative Writing Showcase at REDCAT

The cover of the Next Words anthology, which features work from graduating MFA Creative Writing students | Image: Lucy Blagg

On Thursday (May 16) the graduating class of CalArts MFA Creative Writing program presents their final Next Words reading at the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT).

Next Words is a series of readings that takes place during the final months of the school year and is organized by second-year MFA Creative Writing students. The events take place at a variety of venues – bookstores, music and art spaces, clubs, houses and even a permanent movie set – all with the aim of bridging the gap between CalArts and the Los Angeles literary scene.

The reading at REDCAT gives the graduating class of emerging and imaginative writers a stage to showcase their work.

The CalArts MFA Creative Writing program is designed for students to work past the supposed division between ‘creative’ and ‘critical.’ The program understands writing as an art form best practiced alongside other arts, and many students produce work in collaboration with the CalArts community as a whole. It is also nontracked, which means students can work across—and in opposition to—the traditional notion of genre.

Also showcased at the reading will be the 2019 Next Words anthology, the publication component of the reading series comprised of student writing. This year’s anthology is titled Nightjar and features a selection of fiction, poetry, nonfiction and genre-fluid works. The cover was designed by Lucy Blagg (Creative Writing MFA 19) and the anthology will be available for purchase.

Sublevel Magazine, the literary publication from the CalArts School of Critical Studies, will also have a presence at the reading. The team of student editors, under guidance of Managing Editor Lauren Mackler, is celebrating the release of Sublevel’s third issue, Stamina. Issue three is available to read online with a print component on its way.

The final Next Words showcase is free and open to the public.