“I and You” scribe Lauren Gunderson is the most-produced playwright in the United States, American Theatre confirms. The publication has put out the 2017–2018 edition of its annual ranking and Gunderson is at the top of the list with 27 plays. This is her third consecutive year on the list. 2016–2017 saw her at №2, bested only by August Wilson, and she was №8 on the 2015–16 edition.
“This is a breathtaking landmark for me, because it is a testament to long-standing friendships and creative partnerships throughout our diverse and inspiring national theater community,” Gunderson told American Theatre. “I hope this is another encouraging and motivating moment for women in theater as well. Stories by and about women can and must be produced across the country to complete the deep generational narrative that our art form so uniquely puts forth. Stories by and about women aren’t just for women but for all of us.”
Gunderson is a screenwriter and author as well as a playwright. Her plays include the “Pride and Prejudice”-inspired “Miss Bennet,” romantic epic “Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight,” and “Ada and the Engine,” a biographical work about trailblazing mathematician Ada Lovelace.
The other women on American Theatre’s list are Lisa Kron (“Fun Home”), Dominique Morisseau (“Detroit ‘67”), Quiara Alegría Hudes (“In the Heights”), Kate Hamill (“Sense and Sensibility”), and Lorraine Hansberry (“Raisin in the Sun”). The details of their rankings are below. List adapted from American Theatre.
1. Lauren Gunderson: 27
(including 8 co-writing credits)
4. Lisa Kron: 15
(including 13 co-writing credits)
5. Dominique Morisseau: 15
8. Quiara Alegría Hudes: 10
(including 5 co-writing credits)
14. Kate Hamill: 9
18. Lorraine Hansberry: 8