Laura Eason is an American playwright and screenwriter.
Biography
Eason grew up in Evanston, IL. 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. Eason's plays include both original works and adaptations. 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. 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. For House of Cards, Eason received an Emmy Nomination for Drama Series, and a Nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series. Eason's feature film debut, Here and Now, developed by and starring Sarah Jessica Parker, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Eason is currently adapting Peter Nichols' novel The Rocks for television.
Plays and productions
Original work
Remarkable Invisible - World premiere, Theatre by the Lake, Cumbria, UK, 2017
Undeniable Sound of Right Now - World premiere, Rattlestick Theatre/WP Productions, NYC, 2015; Published by Dramatists Play Service
Sex With Strangers - World premiere, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, 2011; Sydney Theatre, AU, 2012; Second Stage, NYC, 2014; Hampstead Theatre, London, 2017; Published by Dramatists Play Service, Overlook Press
40 Days - World premiere, University of Wisconsin, 2010
Rewind - World premiere, Side Project, Chicago, 2009; Published in Out of Time & Place: An Anthology of Plays by Members of the WP Playwrights Lab
Area of Rescue - World premiere, Andhow Theatre, NYC, 2007
They All Fall Down: The Richard Nickel Story, co-written with Jessica Thebus - World premiere, Lookingglass Theatre Company, 2001
28: Pictures of Life in a High Tech World - World premiere, Lookingglass Theatre Company in association with the Goodman, 1997
In The Eye of the Beholder - World premiere, Lookingglass Theatre Company, 1993; Jeff Award, New Work
Adaptations
Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates, adapted from the novel by Mary Mapes Dodge - World premiere and commission, Arden Theatre, PA, 2016; Barrymore nomination, Best New Work
Around the World in 80 Days adapted from the novel by Jules Verne - World premiere, Lookingglass Theatre, 2008; KC Rep, Baltimore Centerstage, 2010; Jeff Award Nominations, Best Adaptation and Best Production; Published by BPPI and Nick Hern Books
Ethan Frome, adapted from the novel by Edith Wharton - World premiere and commission, Lookingglass Theatre Company, 2011; Jeff Award nomination, Best Adaptation
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, adapted from the novel by Mark Twain- New Victory, NYC, 2012; World premiere and commission, Hartford Stage, CT, 2010; Published by Dramatists Play Service
When The Messenger Is Hot, adapted from the book of short stories by Elizabeth Crane - World premiere, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago and 59E59, NYC, 2008; Published by BPPI
Old Curiosity Shop, co-written by Raymond Fox and Heidi Stillman adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens - World premiere, Lookingglass Theatre Company, 2006; Jeff Award, Best Adaptation
Coast of Chicago, adapted from the book of short stories by Stuart Dybek - World premiere, Walkabout Theatre, Chicago, 2006; Jeff Award Nomination, Best Adaptation
A Tale of Two Cities, adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens - World premiere, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago, 2004; Published by Playscripts
Musical books
Days Like Today, with music and lyrics by Alan Schmuckler - World premiere and commission by Writers Theatre, Chicago, 2014
