Michael Hollinger
Michael Hollinger (born January 13, 1962 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) is an American playwright who is currently an assistant professor of Theatre at Villanova University and a resident playwright at New Dramatists. 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” (Baker 2007).
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, a Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play, 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:
- Ghost-Writer (2010)
- A Wonderful Noise (musical), co-authored with Vance Lehmkuhl
- 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:
- Incorruptible
- Pipe
References
Official website
Professional listings of Michael Hollinger
Michael Hollinger discusses his plays
Commentary
- Baker, John M. (2007). "Intrigue and Delight: The Comedy of Michael Hollinger. In Comédie du Jour: A Festival of Plays by Michael Hollinger. Theatrical program published by Iowa Summer Rep, University of Iowa.