"Calamity West is one of the best playwrights in Chicago. Or maybe the country. Or the universe." - Chicago Reader
CURRICULUM VITAE
OF
CALAMITY WEST
EDUCATION
MFA
Creative Writing with an Emphasis in Drama
California College of the Arts
BA
English with an Emphasis in Drama
Webster University
RESIDENCIES AND AFFILIATIONS
THE LEE STRASBERG THEATRE & FILM INSTITUTE
PLAYWRIGHT
November 2021 - May 2022
Recipient of the Clifford Odets Ensemble Play Commission
- Presentation of "The Last Supper and Three Years Later", Spring 2022 -
TIMELINE THEATRE'S PLAYWRIGHTS COLLECTIVE
PLAYWRIGHT
December 2016 - December 2018
- Presentation of "Greetings From Moscow: A Love Story",
December 2018 and January 2020 -
THE GOODMAN THEATRE'S PLAYWRIGHTS UNIT
PLAYWRIGHT
September 2015 - December 2016
- Presentation of "Engines and Instruments of Flight: A Fantasia in Three Acts",
December 2016 via Playwrights Unit and November 2019 via New Stages Festival -
JACKALOPE THEATRE
COMPANY MEMBER
November 2014 - present
- Jackalope productions include: "The Peacock";"Rolling"; and "In The Canyon" -
FULL-LENGTH PRODUCTION HISTORY
Produced by Eleusis Collective
Zoom Production
August 2021
Produced by Jackalope Theatre
Chicago, IL
October - December 2018
Produced by Steep Theatre
Chicago, IL
February - April 2018
Produced by Sideshow Theatre
Chicago, IL
November - December 2016
Produced by Jackalope Theatre
Chicago, IL
February - April 2016
Produced by Interrobang Theatre Project
Chicago, IL
April - June 2014
Produced by Jackalope Theatre
Chicago, IL
October - December 2013
Produced by Sideshow Theatre
Chicago, IL
June - July 2012
PRODUCED STAGED READINGS - SELECTED
ROLLING
Mirror Box Theatre
April 2020
THE RETRIBUTION PLAY
Jackalope Theatre
February 2020
ENGINES AND INSTRUMENTS OF FLIGHT
The Goodman Theatre / New Stages
November 2019
IN THE CANYON
Williamstown Theatre Festival
August 2019
IN THE CANYON
Sanguine Theatre
April 2018
GREETINGS FROM MOSCOW: A Love Story
TimeLine Theatre
December 2018
ENGINES AND INSTRUMENTS OF FLIGHT
Roundabout / Underground
January 2018
GIVE IT ALL BACK
Palo Alto Players
September 2017
ENGINES AND INSTRUMENTS OF FLIGHT
The Goodman Theatre
July 2016
GIVE IT ALL BACK
Cohesion Theatre
July 2015
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
WEBSTER UNIVERSITY
Adjunct Professor of Playwriting and Literature
Playwriting Coordinator
January 2018 - present
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Lecturer of Playwriting
March 2017 - present
THE JACKALOPE PLAYWRIGHTS LAB
Instructor/Creator/Administrator/Curator
New Play Development Workshop
July 2018 - present
CHICAGO DRAMATISTS
Instructor/Creator
New Play Development Workshop, "Inspired by Actual Events..."
June 2021 - August 2021
VICTORY GARDENS CONSERVATORY
Instructor
New Play Development Workshop
November 2019 - December 2019
THE NEW COLONY WRITER'S ROOM
Co-Moderator
New Play Development Workshop
November 2017 - November 2018
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Moderator/Administrator
New Play Development Workshop - for writer's with and without disabilities.
February 2016 - June 2019
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES - SELECTED
NFMLA - Best Screenplay - Nominated - Cool For Five Seconds - Los Angeles - February 2021
Midwest Film Festival - WINNER - Cool For Five Seconds - Chicago August 2020
Beloit International Film Festival - Best Illinois Short - WINNER - Cool For Five Seconds - February 2020
National Playwright’s Conference - Semifinalist - Waterford, CT - April 2018
Jeff Award, Nomination - Best New Work - Rolling - Chicago - June 2016
Kilroy List Citation - Give It All Back - National - June 2015
Kilroy List Honorable Mention - The Peacock - National - June 2015
3Arts Chicago Theatre Awardee - $25,000 Prize - Chicago - October 2014