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.