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Kelly Younger

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KELLY YOUNGER is an award-winning playwright with work staged off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally.
This World We Know won the New American Play Festival and premiered at The Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, VA. It was also a finalist for the National New Play Network Showcase of New Plays and received development support from Naked Angels/Furious Theatre. He co-wrote a hit comedy Kalamazoo with Michelle Kholos Brooks that won the Riva Shriver Comedy Award and premiered for a sold-out, extended run at Bloomington Playwrights Project. Pacific Resident Theatre in Los Angeles ran a three-time extended, 6-month run, followed by a record-breaking run at Adirondack Theatre Festival, July 2015, with additional productions planned for the upcoming season.
Younger’s short play, Mandate (Samuel French, 2015) won the 39th Samuel French Off-Off-Broadway Short Play Festival; premiered at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood; participated in the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, Alaska; ran at City Theatre Miami’s Summer Shorts Festival and in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; was turned into a radio play by for Utah Public Radio; was a finalist for the Heidemann Award from the Actor’s Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival; ran at the Barrington Stage Company; and has thus far received productions as far away as Dubai, UAE. Other short plays include Let’s Get Physical (Stella Adler Theatre, Hollywood; City Theatre, Miami; Edinburgh Fringe Festival), and Best Lei’d Plans (Stella Adler Theatre, Hollywood, starring Markie Post and Mindy Sterling.)
New York’s Irish Repertory Theatre commissioned Younger to write the stage adaptation of the novel Banished Children of Eve by Peter Quinn, the production of which ran 57 sold-out performances off-Broadway in Fall 2010. He is also the author of The Rorschach Play, which was a finalist for the Joanne Woodward/Paul Newman Drama Award and received development support from Rogue Machine Theatre in Los Angeles. His play Tender was nominated for Best New Play IRNE award, was a finalist for the $150,000 Laurents/Hatcher Award, and was selected for Manhattan Theatre Club’s “7@7” reading series, directed by Lynne Meadow.
Younger is also working in the television and feature worlds, developing with Mandeville Films at Disney Studios; Josephson Entertainment; Gil Netter Productions; and DreamWorks Animation Studios; as well as individual projects with Robert Lawrence (Clueless) and Espen Sandberg and Joachim Ronning (Oscar Nominated Kon-Tiki). Younger placed in the top 10% in the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, and in the top 5% in the Warner Brothers Television Writers Workshop.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Younger earned an MA in Classics at Loyola University Chicago and PhD in Drama Studies from University College Dublin in Ireland. He is currently the resident playwright in the Department of English at Loyola Marymount University. He is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild of America and an associate member of Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice, CA.
He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, two children, and a dog named Sean.

Kelly Younger Videos

Kelly Younger News


Video: Watch Eddie Murphy & Tracee Ellis Ross in the CANDY CANE LANE Trailer


Eddie Murphy is coming to town, bringing his trademark comedic chops to his first holiday film! The screenplay comes from Kelly Younger, inspired by his own holiday experiences on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, California. The movie follows a man on a mission to win his neighborhood’s Christmas home decoration contest. Watch the video trailer!

Video: Watch Eddie Murphy & Tracee Ellis Ross In CANDY CANE LANE Teaser


Eddie Murphy is coming to town, bringing his trademark comedic chops to his first holiday film! The film reunites director Reginald Hudlin, Murphy, and producer Brian Grazer for the first time since their 1992 hit, Boomerang. Watch the video trailer for the upcoming film now!

NewYorkRep to Present New Play WAR WORDS by Michelle Kholos Brooks


Dive into the gripping world of 'WAR WORDS' by Michelle Kholos Brooks, presented by NewYorkRep. This powerful play delves into the complexities of war and its impact on humanity, offering a thought-provoking experience for theater enthusiasts. Discover the truths and emotions behind this compelling production.

Eddie Murphy Stars In New Holiday Adventure Film CANDY CANE LANE on Prime Video


Eddie Murphy is coming to town in his first holiday film! Audiences will experience the holiday magic come to life, with the help of some magical characters and unexpected mayhem! The all-star ensemble cast includes Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Ken Marino, Nick Offerman, Robin Thede, Chris Redd, D.C. Young Fly, and Anjelah Johnson-Reyes.

NewYorkRep 10-Year Anniversary Benefit To Celebrate Women Who Have Impacted Theatre, September 18


NewYorkRep celebrates 10 years of producing theatre that inspires social change with a dinner benefit event on September 18 at Harbor Lights Yacht - Skyport Marina (2430 FDR Drive, NYC).

Louisville Premiere Of HITLER'S TASTERS Announced At The Kentucky Center, February 2 - 12


ShPIeL-Performing Identity and New Light Theater Project, have announced the Louisville premiere of H*TLER'S TASTERS, by award winning playwright Michelle Kholos Brooks. Co-produced with: Hallie C. Griffin, Mary Kathryn Kopp, Kaitlin Longoria and Hannah Mae Sturges.

BWW Feature: PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD'S LOVE NOTES at DARIEN ARTS CENTER


What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with a date night of theatre? Play With Your Food, in collaboration with JIB Productions, is offering just that with Love Notes on February 12 at the Darien Arts Center Weatherstone Studio.

UCM Theatre and Dance Presents NIGHT OF NOIR Studio Theatre One-Acts


The University of Central Missouri will present a “Night of Noir” Studio Theatre One-Acts streamed on YouTube with performances set for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14.

BWW Review: Torrance Theatre Company Continues Play-At-Home Online Series with KALAMAZOO


On Sunday, July 12 at 6pm, I tuned in for the third play in the series, KALAMAZOO, written by Michelle Kholos Brooks and Kelly Younger, originally developed in 2014 at Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice, CA. The Torrance Theatre Company production was directed by Gary Kresca and featured real-life married couple Diana Mann and John Mann as Peg and Irv, two quirky but endearing baby-boomers who bravely venture into the world of modern dating thanks to their children urging them to register on the Silver Fox Dating Service Website. Both have lost their long-term spouses and hope to find someone with whom they can spend the golden years of their lives.

BWW Review: Torrance Theatre Company Presents Entertaining Comedy SLOW FOOD in Play-At-Home Online Series


Torrance Theatre Company newest venture, PLAY-AT-HOME, presents a series of free online theatrical experiences, each designed to entertain audiences during the stay-at-home orders. On Sunday, June 14 at 6pm, I tuned in and really enjoyed SLOW FOOD, playwright Wendy MacLeod's tender comedy that delves deeply into what we hunger for, be it food, attention or love. The 90-minute play centers on Irene and Peter (Cindy Shields and Glenn Kelman) who just want to have a nice meal out while celebrating their anniversary in Palm Springs. But their highly neurotic waiter, Stephen (Daniel Tennant), prefers to talk rather than bring them their food or drinks.

Act II Playhouse in Ambler Presents the Romantic Comedy KALAMAZOO


Who doesn't love a little summer romance? Act II Playhouse presents the romantic comedy Kalamazoo, by Michelle Kholos Brooks and Kelly Younger, on stage July 9-Aug. 4 in Ambler.

2nd Annual Final Draft New Play Festival Comes To New Village Arts


New Village Arts announces its second New Play Festival, FINAL DRAFT, scheduled for January 3-6, 2019. This year's festival will feature plays by local playwrights Aleta Barthell, Dea Hurston, Karen Riehl, Roy Sekigahama and a full-length musical by Blake McCarty and Trevor Bachman. Selections were decided from an open submission pool of over 80 new plays and musicals and a five-person readership panel.

BWW Review: Playwright Michelle Kholos Brooks and HITLERS TASTERS at IRT Theatre


'Hitler's Tasters' by playwright, Michelle Kholos Brooks will be performed at IRT Theatre in New York City through 10/27. Directed by Sarah Norris with choreography by Ashlee Wasmund, the cast includes MaryKathryn Kopp, Hallie Griffin, Kaitlin Paige Longoria, and Hannah Mae Sturges.Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview Michelle about her career and "Hitler's Tasters."

Glaspell Award-Winning HITLER'S TASTERS Makes NYC Premiere With New Light Theater Project


New Light Theater Project is thrilled to present the New York premiere of HITLER'S TASTERS written by Michelle Kholos Brooks and directed by Sarah Norris. HITLER'S TASTERS begins performances on Friday, October 5 for a limited engagement through Saturday, October 27. Press opening is Wednesday, October 10 at 7:30 PM. The performance schedule is Wednesday - Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 3 PM & 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 3 PM. Please note the following schedule adjustments: the Sunday, October 7 performance is at 7 PM and there are added performances on Monday, October 8 and Monday, October 22 at 7:30 PM. Performances are at IRT Theater (154 Christopher Street, between Greenwich & Washington Streets). Tickets are $25. To purchase tickets, visit www.newlighttheaterproject.com.

Cent. Stage Co. Announces HITLER'S TASTERS


Imagine knowing that every mouthful of food you ate could be your last. Inspired by the true story, Michelle Kholos Brooks' Hitler's Tasters will make its world premiere at Centenary Stage Company April 6 through April 22 in the Lackland Performing Arts Center.

City Theatre's SHORTS ON SHIPS Sets Sail World-Wide With Azamara Club Cruises


City Theatre announces its newest and most exciting venture, SHORTS ON SHIPS, which launches its unique and popular productions of short ten-minute plays world-wide this month onboard Azamara Club Cruises luxury ships, Journey, Quest and Pursuit beginning in August, 2018.

Samuel French to Publish Six Winning Titles from 2017 OOB Festival


Samuel French has announced the winners of the 2017 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, the nation's premier short play competition.

Jiehae Park, Lauren Yee, Emily Morse, Abigail Katz and More Among Judges for Samuel French's 42nd Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival


Samuel French has assembled a distinguished judging panel including playwrights Jiehae Park, James Hindman, Lauren Yee and Rachel Bonds; Artistic Directors Andrew Leynse (Primary Stages), Jonathan Silverstein (Keen Company), Susan Westfall (City Theatre, Miami), Emily Morse (New Dramatists) and Ciera Iverson (National Alliance of Musical Theatres); and industry professionals John Clinton Eisner (The Lark), Michael Walkup (Page 73), Abigail Katz (Atlantic Theater Company).

Lineup Announced for Samuel French's 42nd Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival


Samuel French's Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, the nation's premier short play competition, announces this year's top 30 playwrights. Additionally, ticket sales open today for its 42nd Festival.

Jiehae Park, Lauren Yee, Emily Morse, Abigail Katz and More Among Judges for Samuel French's 42nd Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival


Samuel French has assembled a distinguished judging panel including playwrights Jiehae Park, James Hindman, Lauren Yee and Rachel Bonds; Artistic Directors Andrew Leynse (Primary Stages), Jonathan Silverstein (Keen Company), Susan Westfall (City Theatre, Miami), Emily Morse (New Dramatists) and Ciera Iverson (National Alliance of Musical Theatres); and industry professionals John Clinton Eisner (The Lark), Michael Walkup (Page 73), Abigail Katz (Atlantic Theater Company).

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