Playwright
As Teacher:
Laura Lynn is a core faculty member of Ensemble Free Theater Norway which is under the Artistic Direction of Brendan McCall. She designs and teaches the playwriting curriculum for the ensemble’s annual residency in Chicago at The Greenhouse Theatre Center. Laura Lynn has been commissioned to develop a new play based on Mark Twain’s Huck Finn for Uprooted Theatre’s 2011 Education and Outreach program. Uprooted was given the 2011-2012 Performing Artist Residency at Lincoln Elementary School in Wauwatosa, WI. Laura Lynn has taught playwriting for Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Bese Saka Arts Academy in Milwaukee and The International Theatre Academy Norway in Oslo.
Affiliations:
The Dramatists Guild, TCG, Chicago Dramatists, Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, The Playwrights’ Center, Theatre Without Borders and Women in Film.
Laura Lynn has had articles published in Footlights.com as well as Milwaukee Rep’s programs, study guides, and on-line magazine, Prologue. She has interviewed Tony Award winning Scenic Designer - Todd Rosenthal, Director and Author - Ben Barnes, and Playwright - Rich Orloff.
Laura Lynn holds a BA from Lewis University, an AOS from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC, and has taken Master Classes in playwriting with Sarah Ruhl, Arthur Kopit, José Rivera, Stephen Dietz and an intensive on docu-drama with PJ Paparelli.
Laura Lynn’s new adaptation of Chekhov’s UNCLE VANYA embraces a modern rhythm and accentuates the humor in the play. UNCLE VANYA premiered in a workshop production at TITAN Teatergruppe: Oslo, Norway - May, 2010. Running time: 90 minutes.
THE PECKING ORDER, is a dark comedy about the unconventional choices one man makes at the end of his life. THE PECKING ORDER has received staged readings with Route 66 Theatre Company (Chicago), InTandem Theatre (Milwaukee) and The Barrow Group (NYC). THE PECKING ORDER was nominated for the Weissberg Award and the Blackburn Prize.
Laura Lynn freely adapted Ibsen’s PEER GYNT into a two-hour production for an ensemble of eleven, including two actors playing the title role. PEER GYNT was produced by Gorilla Rep at Summit Rock in Central Park (Aug 09’) and will be presented at Kentucky Repertory Theatre in January 2012.
“I love storytelling . I enjoy writing for the stage and screen as well as for comfort. At home, I like to find opportunities where my work can intersect with the community around me. My favorite projects are often prefaced with “I’ve got this crazy idea, and I thought of you...”
© Ramona Szczerba
In March 09’, Laura Lynn’s ten-minute-play, SUBURBAN STATUES was produced by Pink Banana Theatre Co., at The Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee. Suburban Statues follows two suburban women who meet regularly on a driveway in the middle of the night.
In May 09’, Laura Lynn adapted an African folk-tale called “The Long One,” and made it into THE MONSTER OF MASAI; a tale about animals on the Serengeti overcoming their fears. THE MONSTER OF MASAI, was presented at Lincoln Elementary School in Wauwatosa, WI. It featured over sixty elementary children, extensive mask work, drumming, chanting and live scenery.
Click here for production slide show.
July 09’ Laura Lynn’s short play: THE BLOOD LINES OF ISAAC DIGGS was part of American Theater Company’s first 10x10 Festival. BLOOD LINES is a play about a man who transcends his racial prejudices to help a man he just met - a man who shares his name. BLOOD LINES was included in Chicago Dramatists’ 10-Minute Workshop and American Blues Theatre’s RIPPED - THE LIVING NEWSPAPER (Nov. 09).
HIGH ON THE MOUNTAIN, is a two person musical review celebrating the life and music of bluegrass songstress, Ola Belle Reed. It premiered at Banjo Jim’s first Americana Festival of Plays in the East Village, NYC.
(Oct.09).
The Bloodlines of Isaac Diggs
by
Laura Lynn MacDonald
Chicago Chronicle Vol. 3
Laura Lynn was one of eight playwrights selected to create a docu-drama about the Logan Square community of Chicago with students from Chase elementary school.
Chicago Chronicle Vol. 3 was staged at ATC in March, 2010, directed by Susan E. Bowen.
Trojan Women
a modern adaptation by
Laura Lynn MacDonald
Laura Lynn’s adaptation of Euripides’ Trojan Women was written in response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. In this adaptation, Helen is the Mistress of Oil and the Chorus are the ghosts of the widows of all wars.
Laura Lynn was given a commission by Milwaukee Repertory Theater to create a one-act play for their 2008-09 educational tour. Laura Lynn wrote D’Tension, a play for three actors (1m/2w) that explores prejudice.
Running time: 35 min.
D’Tension
a one-act play
...the
American Theater Company - The Silver Project (May-June 2010)
In celebration of its 25th Anniversary, American Theater Company asked thirty playwrights to write short plays exploring the last twenty-five years of American history. Laura Lynn wrote The Dotted Line, which explores aggressive Army recruiting in a small town. Other playwrights included Pulitzer Prize nominee, Kristoffer Diaz and Tony Award winning playwrights’ David Henry Hwang and Greg Kotis.
Photo by Brave Lux
Photo by Brave Lux
Laura Lynn is working on several new projects and commissions. She’s written the book for a musical in development about the Irish gangster who started The Cotton Club and was Mae West’s lover. She’s co-writing an adaptation of The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn for UPROOTED Theatre Company and working on her first television script: Saint George Graphic.