Brian Shnipper

Brian Shnipper conceived and directed the world premiere of STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS (Los Angeles Drama Critics Award) at the Coronet Theatre where it was hailed in the Los Angeles Times as “a burgeoning phenomenon” and a “vital achievement”. It has since been performed in over 75 theatres across the world including the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York, ACT in San Francisco, La Jolla Playhouse, Trinity Rep and Syracuse Stage. Celebrities who have performed include Debra Messing, Zachary Quinto, Alfre Woodard, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Matthew Broderick, Kathy Najimi and Amy Brenneman to name a few.

Off Broadway: STANDING ON CEREMONY (New York Theatre Workshop), the world premiere of Will Scheffer’s ALIEN BOY (OOBR Award), LUBNA and FAMILY COMMITMENT (EST).

Regional credits include A VIEW OF THE MOUNTAINS (Pasadena Playhouse), U.S. premiere of Daniel MacIvor’s  THE BEST BROTHERS, RED, OPUS and BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE  (Ensemble Theatre Company), MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, THE ROAD TO APPOMATTOX (Colony Theatre), ICU (Circle X Theatre Co.), VOICE OF GOOD HOPE, about the life of Barbara Jordan starring Frankie Faison (Luna Stage – Star Ledger’s pick for the Year’s 10 Best).

His passion for new work led him to serve as producer of ETC’s WET INK New Play Festival where he has directed readings of new works by Constance Congdon, Kira Obolensky and Albert Innaurato, and the world premiere of Wendy MacLeod’s UNDESCENDED, SAY YOU LOVE SATAN and ALL THE RAGE (Attic Theatre – Artistic Director 2008 – 2010).

He served as Artistic Director for 12 Miles West Theatre Company in New Jersey (1998 – 2001) where his credits include the world premieres of Joyce Carol Oates’ SEPARATED and Nagle Jackson’s BARNEY DOWNSIZED. Other 12MW credits: BLUFF, PRIVATE EYES, ALL THE RAGE, THREE VIEWINGS, THE NOTEBOOK OF TRIGORIN, A HOTEL ON MARVIN GARDENS, THE WATER CHILDREN, THE MISANTHROPE, BRUTALITY OF FACT, THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED) and HITTING FOR THE CYCLE.

Mr. Shnipper returned to his alma mater, Montclair State University, to direct Lanford Wilson’s BALM IN GILEAD which was a regional finalist for the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival.  He is currently at work adapting Harry Kondoleon’s final novel, DIARY OF A LOST BOY into a stage play with Connie Congdon.

www.brianshnipper.com