Megan Terry

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Megan Terry's influence as a pioneering playwright is unmistakable, rendering her a key figure in American feminist drama. With over sixty plays to her name, her legacy continues to inspire the theater world. Her journey began in her youth and has been marked by a lifetime of dedication and creative innovation.

Early Passion for Theater

Born as Marguerite Duffy in Seattle, Washington, on July 22, 1932, Terry's fascination with the stage took root at the tender age of seven. Encouraged by her parents, Marguerite and Harold Duffy, she frequently attended local theater performances, which fueled her imagination. Her love for drama was not confined to spectating; she actively created her own plays in her backyard, a passion that continued into her teenage years where she also took on roles in writing, acting, and set design for her school’s theater productions.

Challenges and Growth

Her parents' divorce during her senior year of high school led her to live with her grandparents near the Seattle Repertory Playhouse. This proximity allowed her to immerse herself in theater, engaging in playwriting and set building. While studying at the University of Washington, her work at the Playhouse was interrupted by political tensions when a state committee shut down the theater, accusing it of un-American activities amidst the era's pervasive McCarthyism. This incident profoundly deepened her understanding of theater’s societal impact and fueled her creative fervor even further.

Refining Her Craft

For her second year of college, Terry transferred to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, where she discovered that writing was her true calling among her diverse theater experiences. Her return to Seattle saw her re-enrolling at the University of Washington and engaging with the Cornish School of Allied Arts. Here, she established a community playhouse and debuted several of her early works, marking the beginning of her prolific career.

New York and the Open Theater Era

Seeking broader horizons for her plays, Terry relocated to New York City in the late 1950s, adopting a new professional identity along the way. Despite having written several plays by the early 1960s, she felt constrained by the commercial theater scene. In 1963, she co-founded the Open Theater with like-minded artists, which became a hub for her experimental plays. Here, she premiered groundbreaking works like Calm Down Mother in 1966, incorporating innovative techniques such as rock music in musical comedies and direct audience involvement. Her anti-war musical, Viet Rock, also from 1966, is celebrated as a seminal piece of the era and continues to resonate with audiences today.

Recognition and Influence

Terry's plays have transcended linguistic and cultural barriers, being performed and translated worldwide. Her exceptional contributions have been acknowledged with numerous accolades, including an Obie Award for Approaching Simone in 1970, the Dramatists Guild Annual Award, and the ATA Silver Medal. Her work has also been supported by prestigious fellowships and grants, such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and Yale University.

Later Years and Ongoing Legacy

Since 1974, Terry has called Omaha, Nebraska, her home, where she remains an active participant in the Magic Theater, a collective committed to innovative American musical theater. Even in her later years, she has continued to pen new works and facilitate writing workshops, perpetuating her influence and nurturing the next generation of playwrights. Megan Terry's enduring impact on theater is a testament to her relentless pursuit of creative expression and societal commentary through drama.

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