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 (play) (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

• Michael Hollinger

Professional listings of Michael Hollinger

• New Dramatists
• Playscripts, Inc.

Michael Hollinger discusses his plays

• On The Red Herring
• On Incorruptible

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.

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Name	Hollinger, Michael
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Date of birth	January 13, 1962
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