Laura Eason is an American playwright and screenwriter.
Biography
Eason grew up in Evanston, IL.[1] She graduated from Northwestern University, before becoming an ensemble member at Lookingglass Theatre Company, where she served as an actor, director, as well as Artistic Director from 2000 until 2005.[2]
Eason's plays include both original works and adaptations.[3] Her play Sex With Strangers had its world premiere at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre in 2011. In 2014, the play was presented Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater. The play went on to become one of the most produced plays in America during both the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons.[4][5]
She was a writer for four seasons on the Netflix drama House of Cards, and was a producer on Season 5.[6] For House of Cards, Eason received an Emmy Nomination for Drama Series, and a Writers Guild of America Award Nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series.
Eason is currently adapting Peter Nichols' novel The Rocks for television.[8]
Plays and productions
Original work
Remarkable Invisible - World premiere, Theatre by the Lake, Cumbria, UK, 2017[9]
Undeniable Sound of Right Now - World premiere, Rattlestick Theatre/WP Productions, NYC, 2015;[10] Published by Dramatists Play Service[11]
Sex With Strangers - World premiere, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, 2011;[12] Sydney Theatre, AU, 2012;[13] Second Stage, NYC, 2014;[14] Hampstead Theatre, London, 2017;[15] Published by Dramatists Play Service, Overlook Press[16][17]
40 Days - World premiere, University of Wisconsin, 2010[18]
Rewind - World premiere, Side Project, Chicago, 2009;[19] Published in Out of Time & Place: An Anthology of Plays by Members of the WP Playwrights Lab[20]
Area of Rescue - World premiere, Andhow Theatre, NYC, 2007[21]
They All Fall Down: The Richard Nickel Story, co-written with Jessica Thebus - World premiere, Lookingglass Theatre Company, 2001[22]
Adaptations
Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates, adapted from the novel by Mary Mapes Dodge - World premiere and commission, Arden Theatre, PA, 2016;[23] Barrymore nomination, Best New Work[24]
Around the World in 80 Days adapted from the novel by Jules Verne - World premiere, Lookingglass Theatre, 2008;[25] KC Rep, Baltimore Centerstage, 2010;[26][27] Jeff Award Nominations, Best Adaptation and Best Production;[28] Published by BPPI and Nick Hern Books[29][30]
Ethan Frome, adapted from the novel by Edith Wharton - World premiere and commission, Lookingglass Theatre Company, 2011;[31] Jeff Award nomination, Best Adaptation[32]
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, adapted from the novel by Mark Twain- New Victory, NYC, 2012;[33] World premiere and commission, Hartford Stage, CT, 2010;[34] Published by Dramatists Play Service[35]
When The Messenger Is Hot, adapted from the book of short stories by Elizabeth Crane - World premiere, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago and 59E59, NYC, 2008;[36][37] Published by BPPI[38]
The Ghosts Bargain, adapted from the short story by Charles Dickens - World premiere and commission, Two River Theatre, 2007[39]
Huck Finn, adapted from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - World premiere, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, 2007;[40]
Old Curiosity Shop, co-written by Raymond Fox and Heidi Stillman adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens - World premiere, Lookingglass Theatre Company, 2006;[41] Jeff Award, Best Adaptation[42]
Coast of Chicago, adapted from the book of short stories by Stuart Dybek - World premiere, Walkabout Theatre, Chicago, 2006;[43] Jeff Award Nomination, Best Adaptation[44]
A Tale of Two Cities, adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens - World premiere, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, 2004;[45] Published by Playscripts[46]
Musical books
Days Like Today, with music and lyrics by Alan Schmuckler - World premiere and commission by Writers Theatre, Chicago, 2014[47]
Short plays
At 7th And 7th, part of Morning in America, Primary Stages, NYC, 2017[48]
