* Playwright * Director * Theatre Producer * Social Essayist * Lecturer * Professor *
GENESEO, NY -- Directing Richard Wilbur's translation of Moliere's classic Tartuffe at the Alice Austen Theatre. "I threw in everything I know about comedy. Favorite schtick right here, pratfall with legs akimbo!" -- Elizabeth Wong. Rehearsal pic courtesy of the director. CLICK ON THE BACKSIDE OF DOREEN the MAID to take shortcut to UPCOMING page.
GET THE LATEST INFO ON THIS AWARD-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT/DIRECTOR!
HELLO THERE! Here you'll find the latest on the work of ELIZABETH WONG, author of such critically-acclaimed plays as CHINA DOLL, LETTERS TO A STUDENT REVOLUTIONARY, KIMCHEE & CHITLINS, and DATING & MATING IN MODERN TIMES.
ALSO FEATURED -- her work as a theatrical director, screenwriter, sitcom writer, social essayist, AND visiting professor/guest lecturer.
SELECT (links on left) to view the following:
BIOGRAPHY- short program bio, headshot, candid playwright photos, list of publications and essays, and the all-important "play-ography."
UPCOMING- newly-released publications, new commissions, works-in-progress, and upcoming productions.
SPOTLIGHT- rotating gallery of playbills, cast photos, production stills, set and costume designs, reviews, text revisions...AND MORE!
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ELIZABETH WONG HIGHLIGHTS
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AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
DISTINGUISHED PLAY AWARD FROM AATE!
NEW ORLEANS - Recognized by AATE for our stage adaptation of Josh Hanagarne's WORLDS STRONGEST LIBRARIAN. Photo By fellow co-conspirator and co-author Jeff Gottesfeld
BookSigning with co-author Jeff Gottesfeld (left) and fellow award winner Carlos Murillo, (right), for his play Augusta and Noble. Standing is the winner of the Dramatic Publishing Company raffle. His prize, autographed copies of our plays.
NEW ORLEANS -- Honored to receive the Distinguished Play Award for WORLDS STRONGEST LIBRARIAN. Happy to sign books. Love meeting theatre educators interested in Plays for Young Audiences and Plays for Family Audiences.
WORLDS STRONGEST LIBRARIAN is a full-length stage adaptation inspired by Josh Hanagarne's debut novel of the same name. It's about a Salt Lake City librarian with Tourettes who mentors a young kid obsessed with Mister T in film Rocky 3. It's also about the love of reading, and working out! The play is also young people who band together to save their library.
Thank you Josh Hanagarne for writing such a stellar book which inspired this stage adaptation.
Thank you Dramatic Publishing for, well, publishing it. And for nominating our adaptation to AATE!!
Finally, THANK YOU Jeff, for a great collaboration and for bringing this project to me.
GENESEO, NY -- Guest Artist at SUNY Geneseo. With opening nite flowers on the set of Tartuffe. "My first directorial turn on an epic period costume play! They even built me a trap!" -- Elizabeth Wong
RECIPIENT OF:
**Tanne Foundation Award. Other awardees were composer Chris Byars, sound artist Abinadi Meza, art/theatre producers Mobius Inc. The Tanne Foundation is a private nonprofit based in New Hampshire, dedicated to recognizing artists and arts organizations for their artistic achievements.
**Outstanding Playwright Award. Honored by the Asian Pacific American Friends of the Theatre (APAFT), along with Julia Cho, as the group honored women playwrights at an awards banquet. Crystal trophy presented by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eernest Hiroshige.
** Commendation from Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. For her human-rights' themed play "LETTERS TO A STUDENT REVOLUTIONARY. From Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Presented at a special production of "LETTERS" at the Center for National Preservation of Democracy, directed by Peter Kuo and Produced by Addword Productons in assocation with the Visual Arts Guild and the Center for the National Preservation of Democracy. A portion of the proceeds benefited Amnesty International.
**Hermitage Artist Retreat Fellowship and resident. Nominated toattend a beachside residency in Manasota Key, Fl.
Harvard University. With the brilliant and dapper Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
NOTABLE EVENTS:
Adjunct Professor at University of Southen California.
2019 - Led playwriting workshops at Estancia High School, Shalhevet High School and at the Wharton School for Arts and Creativity.
In Spring 2017, Wong directed her play Kimchee & Chitlins at the Center for Global Citizenship, produced by Solid Lines Productions.
Commissioned by EAST/WEST PLAYERS to write a TYA stage play about undocumented students.
Commissioned by Dramatic Publishing Company to write a TYA stage adaptation inspired by the memoir "The World's Strongest Librarian" by Josh Harnagarne. Partnered up with TYA novelist Jeff Gottesfeld. Now available at Dramatic Publishing Comopany. Recipient of the Distinguished Play Award from the Alliance of American Theatre Educators (AATE) during a ceremony at its July conference in New Orleans, LA. The playwrights and Carrie Blomquist (of Dramatic Publishing) were on hand to accept this prestigious award.
Commissioned by First Flight Entertainment to write CODE OF CONDUCT, a stage adaptation inspired by the memoir "Traitor?" by Terry C. Holdbrooks, Jr, an inspirational story about a US soldier stationed at GTMO. Wong signed on as coproducer as well.
Commission from Michael Bigelow Dixon to write "Unstoppable," a short play included in an anthology about monsters on stage, edited by Michael B Dixon, and published by Smith & Kraus. Now Available.
Available from Dramatic Publishing Company "Shakespeare's Brainscan," a short play based on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus and the neuroscience of storytelling.Published in "Shakespeare In Mind," short plays inspired by The Bard, written by various playwrights, including Constance Congdon and Janet Allard; conceived by Michael Bigelow Dixon.
Visiting Guest Director for the annual Lougheed/Kofeed Arts Festival - Directed her own play "Amazing Adventures of the Marvelous Monkey King," with a large cast including a dance ensemble; worked with Jamie Guan, asian arts consultant and fight choreographer, and Bart McGeehon, video/set/lighting designer from Dallas Children's Theatre.
Harvard University, Panelist. Guest Speaker at a new, interdisciplinary faculty initiative examining the topic of social unrest. Other invited speakers included Henry Louis Gates Jr, Paul Chan, Dai-Sil Kim, & Anna Deavere Smith.
ST. LOUIS, MO - A pleasure directing this beautiful diverse cast of KIMCHEE & CHITLINS. Opening nite at the Center of Global Citizenship. Playwright Elizabeth Wong downstage center.
