Emily Mann: Rebel Artist of the American Theater

Emily Mann: Rebel Artist in the American Theater is a biography of a pioneering American playwright, director, and artistic director who defied sexism, trauma, and illness to create documentary plays and lead the McCarter Theatre Center to national recognition. It explores her family life, coming-of-age in Chicago, and evolution as a professional director and playwright, including her leadership at the McCarter and battles with multiple sclerosis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2021
Publisher: Globe Pequot Press

Emily Mann: Rebel Artist in the American Theater is a captivating tale that delves into the remarkable life and career of a visionary American playwright, director, and artistic director. It is the story of a woman who courageously defied the pervasive sexism, faced a traumatic assault, and battled illness to create groundbreaking documentary plays and lead the McCarter Theatre Center for an impressive thirty seasons, achieving national recognition.

The book takes readers on a journey, tracing Emily Mann's family life, her upbringing in Chicago during the vibrant and rebellious 1960s, the personal impact of sexual violence on her life, and her journey of falling in love with theater and honing her craft at the prestigious Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while attending Radcliffe.

The book explores Emily Mann's evolution as a professional director and playwright, beginning with her time at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, where she received an MFA from the University of Minnesota. It then follows her to New York City and the Midwest, where she gained international recognition, married, had a child, and went through a divorce.

Furthermore, the book delves into Emily Mann's remarkable leadership at the McCarter Theatre Center, where she faced numerous challenges, including her battle with multiple sclerosis and the difficult memories of the violence she experienced as a teenager. It also discusses her retirement from the McCarter Theatre Center, while she continues to thrive as a playwright, amplifying her journey as a female artist of sensitivity and originality.

Overall, Emily Mann: Rebel Artist in the American Theater is a captivating and inspiring account of a woman who overcame adversity and achieved extraordinary success in the world of American theater. It sheds light on her personal experiences, artistic journey, and unwavering commitment to creating meaningful and impactful work.

Weight: 796g
Dimension: 162 x 236 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781493060320