Our Success Stories
Chicago Dramatist students, Network Playwrights, Resident Playwrights and alumni have a long history of developing work at CD that goes on to workshop readings, professional productions, Hollywood screens and even Broadway. Here are a few examples of writers whose roots at Chicago Dramatists led to successes in their careers. And check back regularly as we shine the light on more success stories.
From beginning classes to the London stage
Shimmy Braun began work on his play Faygele in a CD playwrighting course in 2023 and went on to take intermediate courses in 2025 as the play was premiering in London at the Marleybone Theatre.
From first reading to American Theatre Critics nominee
A CD student and former Network Playwright, Amy Crider began writing plays in her late 40’s and now has 40 composed plays in her library. Her plays have been published/produced nationwide. Wells and Welles, which had a reading on our stage in 2019, was nominated for the American Theater Critics Association/Steinberg award. Buddha’s Birthday, produced at Lucid Theatre in 2025, began as a 10-minute sketch at CD.
From Resident Playwright, to Bluest Eye, to Broadway
A Resident Playwright Alumni, Lydia R. Diamond’s plays have received national attention and acclaim, including the Lorraine Hansberry award for best writing, an LA Weekly theater award, a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and the 2020 Horton Foote playwriting award from the Dramatists Guild of America. Among her most popular plays are The Bluest Eye (2007), an adaptation of Toni Morrison’s novel; Stick Fly (2008) which was produced on Broadway; Harriet Jacobs (2011); and Smart People (2016).
From CD production to esteemed New Play award
Reginald Edmund's play Southbridge was produced on our stage in 2013. Among other awards, it won the Edgerton Foundation New Play award. Tom Williams, Chicago critic, noted it was “a sophisticated study of guilt, revelation, and the frustrated bondage of love.” Reggie was recognized by TCG as a 2011 Young Leader of Color and a 2010-11 Many Voices fellow with the Playwrights’ Center. He is co-founder and managing curating producer for black lives, black words international project.
From CD stage to Off-Broadway run
Andrew Hinderaker has had three productions nominated for Joseph Jefferson awards, including I am Going to Change the World on the Chicago Dramatists’ stage in 2012, and an Off-Broadway run for Suicide, Incorporated. He loves to write plays that “cut across disciplines,” including dance, sports, and magic. Andrew’s connection with storytelling has expanded to writing, producing, and show running in television.
A Steady Rain on Broadway, with first drops at CD
Two of Keith Huff’s plays have received Jefferson nominations, the tough-cop play A Steady Rain winning in 2008 in three categories. It moved to Broadway, starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, where it broke the record for the highest weekly gross of a non-musical production. Time magazine’s Richard Zoglin named it one of the top 10 plays of 2009. Keith’s plays continue to be produced nationally and internationally.
CD troupe member, Jefferson award winner, Edinburgh Fringe fav
A prolific artist, Mia McCullough has worked as a playwright, screenwriter, and performer, among other disciplines. She was part of the Chicago Dramatists’ troupe in the early 2000s with several productions and readings. Her work has garnered four Joseph Jefferson nominations. Her work has been produced in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Recent works include a solo show and a play Household Spirits, which was developed in part at CD.
Premiered at CD, produced all other the country
Steven Peterson likes to write about people forced to make hard choices. His plays, both full-length and one-acts, have been produced and presented all over the country. The Invasion of Skokie premiered at Chicago Dramatists in 2010. Steve is a two-time winner of the Julie Harris playwright award.
