Brian Shnipper

Playwright

Brian Shnipper conceived and directed the world premiere of STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS (Los Angeles Drama Critics Award) at the Coronet Theatre where it was hailed in the Los Angeles Times as “a burgeoning phenomenon” and a “vital achievement”. It has since been performed in over 100 theatres around the world including the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York, ACT in San Francisco, La Jolla Playhouse, Trinity Rep and Syracuse Stage. Actors who have performed include Debra Messing, Zachary Quinto, Alfre Woodard, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Matthew Broderick and Kathy Najimi. Off Broadway: STANDING ON CEREMONY (New York Theatre Workshop) the world premiere of Will Scheffer’s ALIEN BOY (OOBR Award)and FAMILY COMMITMENT (EST). Regional credits include the U.S. premiere of Daniel MacIvor's THE BEST BROTHERS, RED, OPUS and BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE  (Ensemble Theatre Company), Lee Blessing’s A VIEW OF THE MOUNTAINS (Pasadena Playhouse) MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, THE ROAD TO APPOMATTOX (Colony Theatre), TRAILS (Broadway Rose Theatre Company - Drammy and PAMTA nominations), ICU starring Caroline Aaron (Circle X Theatre Co.), VOICE OF GOOD HOPE about the life of Barbara Jordan starring Frankie Faison (Luna Stage – Star Ledger’s pick for the Year's 10 Best). His passion for new work led him to serve as producer of ETC's WET INK New Play Festival where he has directed readings of new works by Constance Congdon, Kira Obolensky and Albert Innaurato.  The world premiere of Wendy MacLeod’s UNDESCENDED, SAY YOU LOVE SATAN and ALL THE RAGE (Attic Theatre, Artistic Director 2008 - 2010). He served as Artistic Director for 12 Miles West Theatre Company in New Jersey (1998 - 2001) where his credits include the world premieres of Joyce Carol Oates’ SEPARATED and Nagle Jackson’s BARNEY DOWNSIZED. Other 12MW credits: BLUFF, PRIVATE EYES, ALL THE RAGE, THREE VIEWINGS, THE NOTEBOOK OF TRIGORIN, A HOTEL ON MARVIN GARDENS, THE WATER CHILDREN, THE MISANTHROPE, BRUTALITY OF FACT, THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED) and HITTING FOR THE CYCLE.  Playwright: IT’S NOT UNUSUAL, DIARY OF A LOST BOY - adapted from Harry Kondoleon's novel and co-written with Constance Congdon (recent reading at New Dramatists), FAMILY COMMITMENT (EST), WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW (included in Smith in Kraus’s Best 10 Minute Plays) and WHAT I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN (Profile Theatre’s 24 Hour. Play Fest).