Marsha Norman

Marsha Norman is an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. Born on September 21, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky, Norman grew up in a family of women who were all storytellers. Her mother, sister, and grandmother all shared a love of literature and storytelling, which inspired Norman to pursue a career in writing.

Norman attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she earned a degree in philosophy in 1969. After graduation, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in writing. She worked odd jobs to support herself while she wrote plays and submitted them to theaters.

Norman's breakthrough came in 1980 with her play "Getting Out," which tells the story of a woman who has just been released from prison and is trying to start a new life. The play was a critical and commercial success and earned Norman the John Gassner Playwriting Award.

Norman's next play, "The Holdup," premiered off-Broadway in 1982. The play explores the relationship between a young woman and her father, who is a bank robber. "The Holdup" was not as successful as "Getting Out," but it established Norman as a playwright with a unique voice.

Norman's most famous play, " 'night, Mother," premiered on Broadway in 1983. The play tells the story of a woman who announces to her mother that she plans to commit suicide that evening. The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play.

In addition to her work in the theater, Norman has also written for film and television. She wrote the screenplay for the 1985 film "The Color Purple," which was based on the novel by Alice Walker. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg and starred Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Danny Glover. Norman's screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award.

Norman has also written for television. She wrote the screenplay for the 1995 television movie "The Gift," which starred Mary Steenburgen and had a score by Bob Dylan. She has also written for the television series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

In addition to her work as a playwright and screenwriter, Norman has also written novels. Her first novel, "The Fortune Teller," was published in 1995. Her second novel, "The Birds of Paradise," was published in 1998.

Norman has received numerous awards and honors for her work. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, she has been awarded the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Hull-Warriner Award, and the Drama Desk Award. She has also been inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.

Norman's most recent work is the play "Last Dance," which premiered off-Broadway in 2019. The play tells the story of a woman who is dying of cancer and her relationship with her daughter. "Last Dance" was well-received by critics and audiences alike.

Marsha Norman's contributions to the theater, film, and television industries have made her one of the most respected and celebrated writers of her generation. Her ability to tell stories that are both poignant and powerful has earned her a place in the pantheon of great American writers.