Michael Hollinger (born January 13, 1962, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) is an American playwright who is currently an associate professor of theatre at Villanova University and an alumnus of New Dramatists.[1] He received a Bachelor of Music in viola performance from Oberlin Conservatory in 1984 and a Master of Arts in theatre from Villanova in 1989. He has been married to Megan Bellwoar since 1990.
Because of his background as a musician, Hollinger considers his plays compositions. He is quoted as saying, "Plays are music to me; characters are instruments, scenes are movements; tempo, rhythm and dynamics are critical; and melody and counterpoint are always set in relief by rests—beats, pauses, the spaces in between."[2]
Hollinger has written three short films for PBS and co-authored the feature-length Philadelphia Diary. His awards include the Roger L. Stevens Award from the Fund for New American Plays, three Barrymore Awards for Outstanding New Play, a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, the F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Theatre Artist, a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award, a commission from The Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science and Technology Project, and fellowships from the Independence Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
Works
Full-length plays:
- Under the Skin' (2015)
- Hope and Gravity (2014)
- Cyrano, translated, and co-adapted with Aaron Posner (2011)
- Ghost-Writer (2010)
- A Wonderful Noise (musical), co-authored with Vance Lehmkuhl (2009)
- Opus (2006)
- Tooth and Claw (2004)
- Red Herring (2000)
- Tiny Island (1997)
- Incorruptible (1996)
- An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf (1994)
Plays for young audiences:
- Eureka!
- Hot Air
- Boxheads
- Clean Getaway (musical), co-authored with Beth Dannenfelser
Ten-minute plays:
- Battle of the Backyard
- Senior Moment
- Truth Decay
- Naked Lunch
- Serviette
- Two-Part Invention
Screenplays:
- Opus
- Incorruptible
- Pipe
References
Sources
- Baker, John M. (2007). "Intrigue and Delight: The Comedy of Michael Hollinger". Comédie du Jour: A Festival of Plays by Michael Hollinger (Theatrical program published by Iowa Summer Rep). University of Iowa.
External links
Michael Hollinger discusses his plays