BIOGRAPHY
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 100 theatres around 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, Jean Smart, Alfre Woodard, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Matthew Broderick to name a few. Off Broadway: New York Theatre Workshop, EST, Negro Ensemble Company, Samuel Beckett Theatre and New Dramatists. Regional credits include the 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), A VIEW OF THE MOUNTAINS (Pasadena Playhouse - workshop), THE OUTSIDER, INTO THE BREECHES! (International City Theatre), TRAILS (Broadway Rose Theatre), MALA (CoHo Theatre), ICU starring Caroline Aaron (Circle X Theatre), A FAMILY BUSINESS (Hudson Theatre) and 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 produced/directed readings of new works by Constance Congdon, Kira Obolensky, Guillem Clua, Janine Nabers, Albert Innaurato and many others. He currently serves as dramaturg for New Normal Rep where he recently directed a reading of John Guare's new play MORE STARS THAN THERE ARE IN HEAVEN. He directed 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. Playwright: IT'S NOT UNUSUAL, DIARY OF A LOST BOY with Connie Congdon (adapted from the novel by Harry Kondoleon), FAMILY COMMITMENT (EST) and WHAT I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN (Profile Theatre - 24 Hour Playfest). His ten-minute play WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW was included in Smith and Krauss' Best Ten Minute Plays 2019.