Lily Kate Cobb, The Theatre School
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Playwriting
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina
What brought you to DePaul?
When I toured The Theatre School, I talked to a lot of people who were excited about the work that they did. I felt an abundance of opportunities and like-minded people here, but also so many different people with different ideas coming from different places. You could not make me leave Chicago. I love it! DePaul being in the middle of it was one of the best things I could have chosen for myself and my college experience.
What inspired you to pursue playwriting?
I’ve always loved theatre. As I got older, I felt a pull to pursue something that I felt that the younger — or current — person in me really needed. I wanted to tell stories that I wasn’t able to read in my strict high school curriculum. I felt this yearning to tell stories that were a bit less traditional, that came from a Gen Z, funny, happy, but sad, crazy and unhinged place.
Theatre is a safe space to explore things that you have thought about your entire life, but have never been able to put into your own words. Being part of a cohort of six playwriting students, it’s so interesting to see what stories other people bring to the table. It’s inspiring to be in a room where people feel the same way and feel a burning passion to tell their own stories.
How has working in a cohort influenced your playwriting?
Working in my cohort has been such a wonderful and specific experience. My cohort is comprised of people I would not necessarily have found outside of this love of playwriting. It’s been really cool having people who write differently still be invested in your work and who you are as a person, who challenge you, and feed ideas to you.
The emphasis the playwriting program has on process and revision has been paramount to who I am as a person. When I brought in my writing, no one was asking me to be a specific kind of playwright. They just wanted me to write like Lily Kate. We were never asked to be anything else, just who we are. That’s so refreshing. It’s been incredible seeing each member of my cohort grow into their own voices. Now, they don’t have to write their name at the top of their paper. We know who wrote a piece just by reading it.
What was your favorite DePaul class?
My favorite class was the program’s playwriting sequence. That class has taught me the most about writing, reading, and how I consume and process media as a person. It also taught me so much about myself, my writing process, and how I walk through this world interacting with people and their work. It taught me how important it is to hear about other people’s stories and to go see theatre. It taught me not to be afraid to bring in pages of my writing that feel imperfect or deeply personal. It helped me learn that people reading your work and giving feedback is such an opportunity, not an assignment to be crossed off the list. It’s a great opportunity to learn how other people consume your work and how the story you’re trying to tell is perceived.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
Say yes to things. Even if you’re unsure you’re going to like something, at least try it. For Theatre School students, theatre is everywhere, and inspiration is everywhere. Get out of your dorm or your apartment and go see people! Go see things! You can’t generate material or memories just by sitting there. Chicago is such an active city full of people and things to do. Not taking advantage of that would be closing yourself off to such a big opportunity that DePaul provides.