Neil LaBute
Neil LaBute received his Master of Fine Arts degree in dramatic writing from New York University and was the recipient of a literary fellowship to study at the Royal Court Theatre. Films include In the Company of Men (New York Critics Circle Award for Best First Feature, Filmmakers’ Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival), Your Friends and Neighbors, Nurse Betty, Possession, The Shape of Things — a film adaptation of his play by the same title — The Wicker Man, Lakeview Terrace and Death at a Funeral.
Date of Birth: March 19, 1963 (63)
Birth Place: Detroit, MI, USA
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BIO
Neil LaBute received his Master of Fine Arts degree in dramatic writing from New York University and was the recipient of a literary fellowship to study at the Royal Court Theatre. Films include In the Company of Men (New York Critics Circle Award for Best First Feature, Filmmakers’ Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival), Your Friends and Neighbors, Nurse Betty, Possession, The Shape of Things — a film adaptation of his play by the same title — The Wicker Man, Lakeview Terrace and Death at a Funeral. Plays include bash: reasons to be pretty, latter-day plays, The Shape of Things, The Distance From Here, The Mercy Seat, Autobahn, This Is How It Goes, Some Girl(s), Wrecks, In a Dark Dark House, Helter Skelter, The Furies and The War on Terror. LaBute is the author of several fictional pieces that have been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Playboy, among others. A collection of his short stories was published by Grove/Atlantic.
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Productions
Writing
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Neil LaBute
Connection
Awards and Nominations
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Neil LaBute
Neil LaBute, reasons to be pretty
Neil LaBute, Fat Pig
Neil LaBute, Reasons to Be Pretty
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Neil LaBute, The Shape of Things
Videos
Video: Chrissy Metz Makes Surprise Broadway Debut in & Juliet
by Michael Major - 2026-06-17 12:15:56
Video: Amanda Seyfried Performs Impromptu Live Duet of 'Beauty Disaster' on THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-01-27 16:34:59
Exclusive: Krystina Alabado & More Stage Alums Star in Trailer for New Dark Comedy SMILE… THE WORST IS YET TO COME
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-01-09 10:20:14
Video: Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney Star in Trailer for THE HOUSEMAID
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-09-16 17:23:29
Video: Amanda Seyfried Learns Family Secret in FINDING YOUR ROOTS Clip
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-01-07 16:09:44
News
by Rachel Stone - Aug 27, 2026
Black Box Studios will present two September concerts at Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck, NJ, featuring guitarist Gary Lucas with GODS AND MONSTERS, plus jazz acts ULTRABLUE and STIX BONES.
by Rachel Stone - Aug 26, 2026
Neil LaBute's drama, set in the aftermath of September 11, will run at The Gaslight Theater with Franklin Killian and Kelly Schnider under the direction of John Pierson.
by Shari Barrett - Aug 25, 2026
Open Fist Theatre Company is presenting a rare revival of Marisol, the Obie-winning work by Puerto Rican playwright José Rivera, whose powerfully poetic language creates a dreamlike blend of magical realism in this darkly funny, apocalyptic fable about survival, faith and hope. I spoke with Open Fist associate artistic director Amanda Weier about her vision for directing the play which runs September 12 through October 24 at Atwater Village Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Aug 7, 2026
Coal Mine Theatre will present the Canadian premiere of Marin Ireland's PRE-EXISTING CONDITION, directed by Linda Kash, featuring Amy Rutherford, Lindsay Leese, Diana Bentley, and Philip Riccio.
by James Lindhorst - Jul 26, 2026
The 12th Annual LaBute New Theatre Festival features new works by playwrights who hail from Kentucky, New York, Utah, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, plus a new work from festival’s namesake Neil LaBute. This year’s crop of plays, produced by St. Louis Actors’ studio includes three comedies, two comedic dramas, and a more serious piece. Best in Show – Erin Fitzgerald’s witty and pun-filled Junk Drawer, hilariously directed by Eric Dean White, examines what life must be like for a forgotten penny, poker chip, and magic marker stuck in the back of the kitchen junk drawer. White elicits wonderful portrays from this trio of actors whose characters are desperate to escape their forgotten existence. Fitzgerald’s clever tongue-in-cheek script is reminiscent of the forgotten toys in Pixar’s Toy Story movies. The 15-minute laugher has more giggles than many full-length comedies.
by Michael Major - Jun 17, 2026
Chrissy Metz surprised audiences by debuting two days early as Angelique in & Juliet! Watch her first bows and 'Roar' encore from her Broadway debut.
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 16, 2026
Emmy & Golden Globe Award-nominated actress and singer Chrissy Metz recently met the press ahead of her Broadway debut in & Juliet. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the event here.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 28, 2026
Emmy & Golden Globe Award-nominated actress and singer Chrissy Metz will make her Broadway debut in & Juliet! Metz will star as ‘Angelique’ for a limited engagement.
by A.A. Cristi - May 20, 2026
Stacy Cancelarich's solo show FINGERS CROSSED, a comedy about caring for a dying father amid COVID lockdown and family chaos, will perform one night only at Paradise Factory Theater as part of Diamond Mesh's Manifestival.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 8, 2026
Amanda Seyfried is entering her princess era with Steps, a new animated film from Netflix. The Mamma Mia! alum will voice the iconic character of Cinderella in the feature, which is a reimagining of the classic fairy tale.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 6, 2026
David Gersten, Vice-President of ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers (IATSE Local 18032), died on Monday, April 6 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 16, 2026
See what the critics are saying about America the Beautiful at King's Head Theatre. Read the reviews for Neil LaBute's play in BroadwayWorld's Review Roundup.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 2, 2026
Dan Lauria, Danielle Ferland, Michael Sorvino, and Abigail Hawk will present new writings from acclaimed authors Neil LaBute, Daniel Handler, and Ken Levine at City Vineyard, NYC on March 9th.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2026
Performances are now underway for Dog Day Afternoon, a new play by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis. Meet the cast of Dog Day Afternoon here!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 23, 2026
Writers & Actors On The Hudson, a unique theatrical event featuring 'incubations' of new works for the stage will play NY's City Vineyard, 233 West Street/Pier 26 on Monday, March 9th at 7:00PM.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 11, 2026
The cast and creatives have been announced for the highly anticipated UK premiere of Neil LaBute's America the Beautiful, opening at King's Head Theatre in early March.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 11, 2026
Two unique theatrical events, both 'incubations' of new works for the stage, will appear at in NYC at The Loft at City Winery Loft, 25 11th Avenue/Pier 57, and at City Vineyard, 233 West Street/Pier 26, later this month and in early March.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 28, 2026
Greenwich Theatre has announced a new venture for 2026 with the launch of Greenwich Theatre Productions, a producing arm that will see the theatre's commitment to in-house production increase even further and expand outside of the south London venue.
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 27, 2026
During a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Amanda Seyfried joined Clarkson for an off-the-cuff duet of the ballad 'Beauty Disaster.' Watch the two performers harmonize on the song now.
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 9, 2026
Check out an exclusive first-look at the trailer for Smile...The Worst is Yet to Come, a new indie dark comedy film featuring a cast of stage stars, including Mean Girls alum Krystina Alabado.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Neil LaBute has written 17 shows including The Shape of Things (Playwright), The Mercy Seat (Playwright), The Distance From Here (Playwright), Escape: 6 Ways to Get Away (1) (Playwright), Fat Pig (Playwright), Escape: 6 Ways to Get Away (2) (Playwright), This Is How It Goes (Playwright), Some Girl(s) (Playwright), Wrecks (Playwright), In a Dark Dark House (Playwright), reasons to be pretty (Playwright), The Break of Noon (Playwright), Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays (Playwright), Reasons to be Happy (Playwright), The Way We Get By (Playwright), Reasons to be Pretty Happy (Playwright), All the Ways to Say I Love You (Writer).
Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels), Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for reasons to be pretty, Best New Comedy (Olivier Awards) for Fat Pig, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Reasons to Be Pretty and Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Shape of Things.
Neil LaBute has received the following awards: Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels) and Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Shape of Things.
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