It has also been produced at the Hartford Stage in Hartford, Connecticut, Playwrights Horizons and Minetta Lane in New York City, and at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Marvin’s Room was first produced by the Goodman Theatre in 1990. He was there to support and encourage, if that’s what you needed critique, if that’s what you requested, but always in a way that encouraged therefore, it seems fitting and appropriate that an award designed to encourage new young talent should be made in his name, accomplishing the twin goals of remembering him for what he did and, as significantly, for who he was, and hopefully, through this award, who he shall continue to be.” He had his own ambitions, of course, but they never depended on someone else’s failure. Upon establishment of the award, George Sherman wrote, “Scott was the least envious, most generous, amusing and supportive friend you could hope to have even if you happened to be another writer. Scott, who died of AIDS in 1992, often spoke eloquently, both in his writing and in interviews of the personal and familial ravages of chronic illness and the need for loving support and connection with lovers, family, and friends. He is best known for his critically acclaimed, award-winning play, Marvin’s Room.
Scott, who graduated from OU in 1981, was a renowned actor and playwright. In 2000, George Sherman, retired Ohio University professor emeritus of theater, established an endowment to create the Scott McPherson Playwriting Award to honor the all-too-brief life of OU graduate, Scott McPherson. His essay, “College Dreams” was published in the book, The Anatomy of Silence. Methtacular! was included in an anthology of solo plays from Opus Books. He has appeared in movies, on TV, and in national commercials. As an actor he has appeared on stage on Broadway, national tours, international tours and at Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Portland Stage Company and other regional theaters across America. His short plays, “Use Your Noodles” and “The Breakup Play” have been produced a few times each. His play Mona Q: Age 38 received workshops with Route 66 Theatre Company and 16th Street Theater. It also had workshops at Portland Stage Company and at Route 66 Theater Company. He is also the author of Small Jokes About Monsters which received productions in Houston (nominated for Houston Theatre Award for Outstanding New Play) Sioux City, and in Chicago at 16th Street Theater.
Recently, the show was filmed at Steppenwolf Theatre’s 1700 Space. He is the author and performer of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Methtacular! which he has performed across the country at LORT theaters, universities and LGBTQ spaces. As an adult, he has called Chicago and NYC home. Steven Strafford (1st year) is an actor and playwright originally from Brooklyn, NY. Allushuski Graduate Fellow and a member of the Dramatists Guild. Wendy-Marie is also a 2020-21 WGSS Barbara E. She is Ohio University’s nominee for the Mid-Western Association of Graduate Schools Excellence in Teaching Award as well as a recipient of the School of Interdisciplinary Arts Siegfred Teaching award and the OU Arnold Allyship Award. Wendy-Marie is the Creator/Coordinator of the Performance Corner for OU’s International Women’s Art Exhibit and Co-Producer of the Trans of Remembrance Festival. Her work has been produced in Germany, The Netherlands, Australia, Japan, Ireland, and the U.S and published by Smith & Krauss, Theatrefolk, and YouthPLAYS. Over the past twenty years, Wendy-Marie has taught, directed, and performed in Europe and the U.S. Her areas of research include intersectional feminist theatre and 20th/21st century American women playwrights. Wendy-Marie Martin (1st year) is a scholar/artist pursuing her PhD in Interdisciplinary Arts/Theater as well as her MFA in Playwriting at Ohio University. Please see the The Martha Mitchell Effect website for further information on its cast and production team. *This thesis presentation partially fulfills the requirements for the Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting. Mentors: Aaron Carter, Martine Kei Green-Rogers, Julie Felise Dubiner Bringing her story to the forefront, The Martha Mitchell Effect illustrates the world of the courageous women involved in breaking the Watergate scandal and explores their lasting impact on this country today. In his infamous interview with David Frost, Richard Nixon said that “without Martha Mitchell, there would be no Watergate.” And yet the name Martha Mitchell, once ubiquitous, has faded into the background of history. – The Martha Mitchell Effect* by third-year playwright Skye Robinson Hillis
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