How can I get my CPA with an MBA in Finance, no work experience in public accounting?

I have over 8+ years work experience in accounting. I have worked as a permanent hire for 3 companies none of which I was an employee for more than a year. Majority of my work experience stems from contracting jobs all of which helped me to move up from Accounting Clerk to Staff Accounting level. Staff Accountant.....when I go to interviews, hiring managers ask me what a Staff Accountant is...I've come up with this explanation, one I cannot repeat at an interview......A staff accountant is over qualified to hold the position of a Full Charge Bookkeeper but is under qualified as a Controller. Basically, I would have to dumb my skills and resume down to get a job in this economy as a full charge bookkeeper, or refine my skills in accounting, by getting my CPA. I just graduated June 1st 2011, my brain is on shutdown, however I want to prove to myself that I can utilize either my degree in Finance which seems like a long shot or, get yet another certification to become more marketable. How can I do this without having to work in a public accounting firm? I'm a creative person, I can't be stuck in corporate america I would lose my mind. My plan is to become a CPA for a company within the creative industries. Is there another way, I won't have to pay for any extra accounting classes just to qualify for the license as I'm currently unemployed? Or is there a way that my 8+ years of work experience can cancel out the NY requirement of working in a public accounting firm for two years?