Marie Kohler

Marie Kohler is an American playwright, director, writer and producer. Her plays have earned nominations for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize (twice), the American Theatre Critics Association’s “Best New Regional Play,” the Playwrights’ Center Lab (Finalist), Abingdon Award, Wisconsin Wrights (twice), Todd McNerney Playwriting Award, Charlotte Repertory Theater Award and Playwrights’ First Award (semi-finalist).

Her play BOSWELL captured four-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and went on to a sold-out Off-Broadway run at 59E59 Theaters (2022). MIDNIGHT AND MOLL FLANDERS, among her other plays, earned “Best of the Year” reviews. Her published plays include A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST, BOSWELL and MIDNIGHT AND MOLL FLANDERS.

Kohler co-founded Milwaukee’s women-run Renaissance Theaterworks and served as Co-Artistic Director and Resident Playwright for 20 years. Milwaukee Arts Board named her “Artist of the Year” and “Friend of the Arts.” In 2024, Kohler was elected a Fellow by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters.

She received her BA at Harvard University (Magna Cum Laude) and her MA at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Kohler has served on the Wisconsin Humanities Board and currently serves on University of Wisconsin-Parkside Arts Board. She is also deeply committed to environmental conservation. Marie and her actor husband Brian Mani live in Spring Green and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.