# Christopher Shinn

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**Christopher Shinn** (born 1975) is an American [playwright](/source/Playwright). His play *Dying City* (2006) was a finalist for the 2008 [Pulitzer Prize for Drama](/source/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Drama), and *Where Do We Live* (2004) won the 2005 [Obie Award](/source/Obie_Award), Playwriting.

## Early life

Shinn was born in [Hartford, Connecticut](/source/Hartford,_Connecticut) in 1975 and lives in New York. He earned a BFA, Dramatic Writing, from [New York University](/source/New_York_University).[1][2]

The [Royal Court Theatre](/source/Royal_Court_Theatre) in London produced his first play *Four* and commissioned several plays from him. Shinn said: "The fifteen years I was embraced by the Court allowed me to become the artist I am today."[3][4]

## Career

In an article about Shinn, Rob Weinert-Kendt observed: "If playwright Christopher Shinn has a signature character, it is the manipulative victim — the half-sympathetic, half-deplorable sort of person whose suffering is real but who uses it as rationale for bad behavior." As an example, in *Dying City*, "Shinn conjured twin terrors: a pair of brothers, one a straight soldier shipping off to Iraq, the other a successful gay actor."[1]

*Four* was produced by the Royal Court Theatre in their Young Writers' Festival in 1998.[5] The play was produced by the Worth Street Company at the TriBeCa Playhouse, New York City, in July 2001, directed by Jeff Cohen.[6] It was produced by the [Manhattan Theatre Club](/source/Manhattan_Theatre_Club) at Stage II in association with the Worth Street Company in January 2002.[7]

*Other People* premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs in March 2000, directed by Dominic Cooke and featuring [Daniel Evans](/source/Daniel_Evans_(actor)), Doraly Rosen, [James Frain](/source/James_Frain), and [Neil Newbon](/source/Neil_Newbon).[8] The play opened Off-Broadway at [Playwrights Horizons](/source/Playwrights_Horizons) New Theater Wing in October 2000. The play takes place in the East Village in 1997 shortly before Christmas, and involves roommates, current and former, all artists in various fields.[9]

*Where Do We Live* opened [Off-Broadway](/source/Off-Broadway) at the Vineyard Theatre, running from May 11, 2004, to May 30, 2004. Directed by Shinn, the cast featured [Emily Bergl](/source/Emily_Bergl), Daryl Edwards, [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](/source/Jesse_Tyler_Ferguson), [Luke Macfarlane](/source/Luke_Macfarlane), Burl Moseley, [Jacob Pitts](/source/Jacob_Pitts), [Aaron Stanford](/source/Aaron_Stanford), Liz Stauber and [Aaron Yoo](/source/Aaron_Yoo). The play won the 2005 [Obie Award](/source/Obie_Award), Playwriting and was nominated for the 2005 GLAAD Media Awards, Outstanding New York Theater: Broadway and Off-Broadway.[10] It was first produced at the Royal Court in May 2002.[11]

His play *Dying City* was produced Off-Broadway by [Lincoln Center Theater](/source/Lincoln_Center_Theater) at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, from February 15, 2007, in previews, officially on March 4, 2007, to April 29, 2007. Directed by [James Macdonald](/source/James_Macdonald_(director)) the cast starred Rebecca Brooksher and [Pablo Schreiber](/source/Pablo_Schreiber). The play had its world premiere in 2006 at the [Royal Court Theatre](/source/Royal_Court_Theatre) in London.[12] The play was a finalist for the 2008 [Pulitzer Prize for Drama](/source/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Drama).[13][14]

Shinn's play *[Now or Later](/source/Now_or_Later)* premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London from 3 September 2008 to 1 November 2008. Directed by [Dominic Cooke](/source/Dominic_Cooke), the cast featured [Eddie Redmayne](/source/Eddie_Redmayne), Matthew Marsh, Adam James, [Domhnall Gleason](/source/Domhnall_Gleeson), Nancy Crane and [Pamela Nomvete](/source/Pamela_Nomvete). The play takes place during a U.S. presidential election and focuses on the crisis that the gay son of the Democratic candidate is undergoing.[15] The play had its US premiere at the Huntington Theatre Company, Boston in October 2012. [Adriane Lenox](/source/Adriane_Lenox), Tom Nelis and Grant MacDermott are featured, with direction by [Michael Wilson](/source/Michael_Wilson_(director)).[16]

His adaptation of *[Hedda Gabler](/source/Hedda_Gabler)* premiered on [Broadway](/source/Broadway_theatre) at the [Roundabout Theatre Company](/source/Roundabout_Theatre_Company) [American Airlines Theatre](/source/American_Airlines_Theatre), from January 6, 2009, to March 29, 2009. The play was directed by Ian Rickson and starred [Mary-Louise Parker](/source/Mary-Louise_Parker) as Hedda Tesman, [Michael Cerveris](/source/Michael_Cerveris) as Jorgen Tesman, [Peter Stormare](/source/Peter_Stormare) as Judge Brack, and [Paul Sparks](/source/Paul_Sparks) as Ejlert Lovborg.[17][18]

*Teddy Ferrara* was commissioned by the [Goodman Theatre](/source/Goodman_Theatre), Chicago, and premiered there from February 2, 2013, to March 3, 2013, directed by Evan Cabnet. The play involves a gay college student, Gabe, whose life is complicated by a tragedy on campus.[19] The play was produced in London at the [Donmar Warehouse](/source/Donmar_Warehouse) in October 2015, directed by Dominic Cooke.[20]

*An Opening in Time* premiered at [Hartford Stage](/source/Hartford_Stage), running from September 17 to October 11, 2015, directed by Oliver Butler. The play is set in New England and focuses on Anne, in her 60s, seeking to reconnect with a man from her past.[21]

*Against* premiered at the [Almeida Theatre](/source/Almeida_Theatre), running from August 12 to September 30, 2017, directed by [Ian Rickson](/source/Ian_Rickson) and starring [Ben Whishaw](/source/Ben_Whishaw). The play is about a Silicon Valley billionaire who goes on a quest to try to get America to address its problem with violence.[22]

His adaptation of *Judgment Day* premiered at [Park Avenue Armory](/source/Park_Avenue_Armory) on December 5, 2019.[23]

*The Narcissist* premiered at [Chichester Festival Theatre](/source/Chichester_Festival_Theatre), running from August 26 to September 24, 2022, directed by Josh Seymour and starring [Harry Lloyd](/source/Harry_Lloyd) and [Claire Skinner](/source/Claire_Skinner). The play is about a political consultant who is being courted by a Senator as his personal life faces crisis.[24]

## Other work

He wrote *Sandcastle* for "The 24 Hour Plays" which was performed on September 24, 2001, starring [Liev Schreiber](/source/Liev_Schreiber) and [Lili Taylor](/source/Lili_Taylor).[25] He wrote *Dance of Life* for the 2003 version of "The 24 Hour Plays", which was performed at the American Airlines Theatre in September 2003 and starred [Rachel Dratch](/source/Rachel_Dratch), Catherine Kellner and [Sam Rockwell](/source/Sam_Rockwell).[26]

He participated in the [Bush Theatre](/source/Bush_Theatre)'s 2011 project *[Sixty Six Books](/source/Sixty_Six_Books)* where he wrote a piece based upon a book of the [King James Bible](/source/King_James_Bible).[27]

He wrote a short play for [Headlong](/source/Headlong_(theatre_company))'s 2011 project *Decade* about the impact and legacy of 9/11.[28]

He has also written short plays for [Naked Angels](/source/Naked_Angels_(theater_company)), and the [New York International Fringe Festival](/source/New_York_International_Fringe_Festival).

Shinn's plays are published in collections from [Theatre Communications Group](/source/Theatre_Communications_Group) and [Methuen](/source/Methuen_Publishing), and in acting editions from [Dramatists Play Service](/source/Dramatists_Play_Service).

Shinn teaches playwriting at [The New School for Drama](/source/The_New_School_for_Drama).[2]

## Bibliography

Source: Internet Off-Broadway Database[29]

- *Four*—1998, Royal Court Theatre
- *Other People*—2000, Royal Court Theatre
- *The Coming World*—2001, Soho Theatre, London[30]
- *Where Do We Live*—2002, Royal Court Theatre
- *What Didn't Happen*—2002, Playwrights Horizons[31]
- *On the Mountain*—2005, Playwrights Horizons
- *Dying City*—2006, Royal Court Theatre
- *Now or Later*—2008, Royal Court Theatre
- *Hedda Gabler* (adaptation)—2009, Roundabout Theatre Company, American Airlines Theatre[17]
- *Picked*—2011, Vineyard Theatre
- *Teddy Ferrara*—2013, Goodman Theatre
- *An Opening in Time*—2015, Hartford Stage
- *Against*—2017, Almeida Theatre
- *Judgment Day* (adaptation)*—*2019, Park Avenue Armory
- *The Narcissist—*2022, Chichester Festival Theatre

## Awards and honors

For *Dying City*, Shinn was a 2008 [Pulitzer Prize](/source/Pulitzer_Prize) finalist, was nominated for the 2007 [Lucille Lortel Award](/source/Lucille_Lortel_Award) for Outstanding Play, and was nominated for the [TMA Award](/source/TMA_Award) for Best New Play (2006).[32] Shinn won the [Obie Award](/source/Obie_Award) in Playwriting (2005) for *Where Do We Live* and was nominated for an [Olivier Award](/source/Olivier_Award) for Most Promising Playwright (2003) for *Where Do We Live*[33] He was shortlisted for the [Evening Standard Theatre Award](/source/Evening_Standard_Theatre_Award) for Best Play (2008) for *Now or Later*[34] and the [South Bank Show](/source/South_Bank_Show) Award for Theatre (2008) for *Now or Later*.[35] In 2020, he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Adaptation for *Judgment Day.*[36]

He received a [Guggenheim Fellowship](/source/Guggenheim_Fellowship) in Playwriting (2005). He has received grants from the [NEA](/source/National_Endowment_for_the_Arts)/[TCG](/source/Theatre_Communications_Group) Residency Program and the Peter S. Reed Foundation, and he is a recipient of the [Robert Chesley Award](/source/Robert_Chesley_Award) for Lesbian and Gay Playwriting.[37]

He was a 2019–2020 [Radcliffe Fellow](/source/Harvard_Radcliffe_Institute) at Harvard.[38] In 2020–2021, he was a Cullman Fellow at New York Public Library.[39]

## Personal life

Shinn is openly [gay](/source/Gay).[1] In 2012, Shinn was diagnosed with [Ewing's sarcoma](/source/Ewing's_sarcoma), a rare form of [bone cancer](/source/Bone_cancer), and had part of his left leg amputated.[1]

## References

1. Weinert-Kendt, Rob. ["Christopher Shinn's plays explore what victims do next"](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-xpm-2013-may-11-la-et-cm-christopher-shinn-dying-city-20130512-story.html), *Los Angeles Times*, May 11, 2013.

1. ["Faculty, Shinn, Christopher"](http://www.newschool.edu/facultyexperts/faculty.aspx?id=78774), newschool.edu, accessed November 10, 2015.

1. Timmel, Lisa. ["An Interview With Playwright Christopher Shinn"](http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/articles/Now-Or-Later/An-Interview-with-Playwright-Christopher-Shinn/) huntingtontheatre.org, accessed November 10, 2015

1. [Rizzo, Frank. ["What Did Happen To Christopher Shinn"](https://www.courant.com/2002/11/24/what-did-happen-to-christopher-shinn/), *Hartford Courant*, November 24, 2002.

1. Shinn, Christopher. "Introduction", *Shinn Plays: 1: Other People; The Coming World; Where Do We Live; Dying City*, A&C Black, 2013, ISBN 1472517326, p. viii.

1. Brantley, Ben. ["Theater Review. The Desolation of Desire, Divided by 'Four'"](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/02/arts/theater-review-the-desolation-of-desire-divided-by-four.html), *The New York Times*, July 2, 2001.

1. Jones, Kenneth. ["Shinn's 'Four' to Shine at MTC Stage II in January 2002; Gone Home Bumped"](http://www.playbill.com/news//article/shinns-four-to-shine-at-mtc-stage-ii-in-january-2002-gone-home-bumped), *Playbill*, December 21, 2001.

1. Shinn, Christopher. "Introduction", *Other People*, Dramatists Play Service Inc, 2000, ISBN 0822218518, p. 3.

1. Walat, Kathryn. ["Reviews. 'Other People'"](http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/reviews/10-2000/other-people_1091.html), theatermania.com, October 26, 2000.

1. [*Where Do We Live*](http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&id=3490) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071019155408/http://www.lortel.org//lla_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&id=3490) October 19, 2007 at the Wayback Machine lortel.org, accessed November 10, 2015.

1. ["Theatre review: Where do We Live at Royal Court Theatre Upstairs"](https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/wheredowelive-rev.htm)

1. Pincus-Roth, Zachary. ["Shinn's 'Dying City' Begins at Lincoln Center Feb. 15"](http://www.playbill.com/news/article/shinns-dying-city-begins-at-lincoln-center-feb.-15-138511), *Playbill*, February 17, 2007.

1. ["Pulitzer Prize for Drama"](http://www.pulitzer.org/bycat/Drama), pulitzer.org, accessed November 10, 2015.

1. Brantley, Ben, ["The Walking Wounded Who Never Saw a Battlefield"](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/05/theater/reviews/05dyin.html?_r=0&pagewanted=), *The New York Times* March 5, 2007.

1. Benedict, David. ["Review. 'Now or Later'"](https://variety.com/2008/legit/reviews/now-or-later-1200470634/), *Variety*, September 12, 2008.

1. Hetrick, Adam. ["Christopher Shinn Drama 'Now or Later', Starring Adriane Lenox and Tom Nelis, Opens in Boston Oct. 17"](http://www.playbill.com/news/article/christopher-shinn-drama-now-or-later-starring-adriane-lenox-and-tom-nelis-o-198763), *Playbill*, October 17, 2012.

1. [*Hedda Gabler*](http://www.ibdb.com/Production/View/480608), ibdb.com, accessed November 10, 2015.

1. Jones, Kenneth. ["Mary-Louise Parker Takes Aim as Broadway's Hedda Gabler, Opening Jan. 25"](http://www.playbill.com/news/article/mary-louise-parker-takes-aim-as-broadways-hedda-gabler-opening-jan.-25-157301), *Playbill*, January 25, 2009.

1. [*Teddy Ferrara*](http://www.goodmantheatre.org/season/1213/teddy-ferrara/), goodmantheatre.org, accessed November 10, 2015.

1. Kellaway, Kate. [" 'Teddy Ferrara' review – a brave play"](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/oct/11/teddy-ferrara-christopher-shinn-donmar-observer-review), *The Guardian*, October 11, 2015.

1. [*An Opening in Time*](http://www.hartfordstage.org/opening-in-time), hartfordstage.org, accessed November 10, 2015.

1. ["Against"](https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/against/12-aug-2017-30-sep-2017). *Almeida Theatre*. Retrieved August 25, 2018.

1. Clement, Olivia (October 16, 2019). ["Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Luke Kirby to Star in Christopher Shinn's Judgment Day Off-Broadway"](http://www.playbill.com/article/marvelous-mrs-maisels-luke-kirby-to-star-in-christopher-shinns-judgment-day-off-broadway). *Playbill*. Retrieved November 26, 2019.

1. ["Chichester Festival Theatre"](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chichester_Festival_Theatre&oldid=1058294974), *Wikipedia*, 2021-12-02, retrieved 2022-08-27

1. ["PHOTO CALL: Schreiber and Taylor Are Shinn Strangers for 24 Hours"](http://www.playbill.com/news/article/photo-call-schreiber-and-taylor-are-shinn-strangers-for-24-hours-98791), *Playbill*, September 26, 2001.

1. ["The 24 Hour Plays"](http://www.ibdb.com/Production/View/389714), ibdb.com, accessed November 10, 2015.

1. ["Bush Theatre"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110704090950/http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/biography/writers/). Archived from [the original](http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/biography/writers/) on July 4, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2014. bushtheatre.co.uk.

1. ["Christopher Shinn, Lynn Nottage and John Logan Among Writing Team for Rupert Goold's Decade"](https://www.playbill.com/article/christopher-shinn-lynn-nottage-and-john-logan-among-writing-team-for-rupert-goolds-decade-com-181026). 19 July 2011.

1. ["Christopher Shinn"](http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=people&first=Christopher&middle=&last=Shinn) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070916184004/http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=people&first=Christopher&middle=&last=Shinn) 2007-09-16 at the Wayback Machine lortel.org, accessed November 10, 2015

1. Wolf, Matt. ["Review. 'The Coming World' "](https://variety.com/2001/legit/reviews/the-coming-world-1200467729/), *Variety*, April 20, 2001.

1. Brantley, Ben (11 December 2002). ["THEATER REVIEW; Eloquent Silences Among the Words"](https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/11/theater/theater-review-eloquent-silences-among-the-words.html). *The New York Times*

1. ["TMA Awards 2006"](http://www.uktheatre.org/awards/theatrenominations06.aspx), uktheatre.org, accessed November 10, 2015.

1. ["Olivier Awards, 2003"](http://www.olivierawards.com/winners/view/item98541/olivier-winners-2003/), olivierawards.com, accessed November 10, 2015.

1. Jury, Louise. ["Heavyweights of the stage battle for best actor prize"](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/heavyweights-of-the-stage-battle-for-best-actor-prize-6833239.html), *Evening Standard*, November 4, 2008.

1. ["South Bank Show Awards (2009)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072516/http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//ITVProgs/2009/01/28/153990004001/?s=south+bank+show), itnsource.com, 28 January 2009.

1. ["2020 Drama Desk Nominations: Soft Power, the Wrong Man Lead the Pack in Condensed Season"](https://www.playbill.com/article/2020-drama-desk-nominations-soft-power-the-wrong-man-lead-the-pack-in-condensed-season). 21 April 2020.

1. ["Christopher Shinn and Sheila Callaghan Win Chesley Awards"](http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/06-2002/christopher-shinn-and-sheila-callaghan-win-chesley_2297.html), *TheaterMania*, June 19, 2002.

1. ["Christopher Shinn"](https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/people/christopher-shinn). *Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University*. March 5, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2019.

1. ["Past Fellows 2020–2021"](https://www.nypl.org/node/597907). *The New York Public Library*. Retrieved 2021-12-15.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.christophershinn.co/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Christopher Shinn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Shinn) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Shinn?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.