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]

Her writing and producing credits for television include The Loudest Voice for Showtime, adapted from Gabriel Sherman’s book about Roger Ailes and Fox News.

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's feature film debut, Here and Now (formerly Blue Night), developed by and starring Sarah Jessica Parker, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.^[7]

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]
• 12A, 12B, Pinebox Theatre, Chicago, 2012^[49]
• Mr. Smitten, Humana Festival, Louisville, KY 2011, (published in Humana Festival 2011: The Complete Plays by Playscripts)^[50]
• Lost in the Supermarket, Vital Theatre, NYC, 2007^[51]