Theatre 8:15 And Hartland Theatre Company Proudly Present

Music by Myron Fink Script by Steven Denlinger

Steven L. Denlinger, Playwright/Director

Steven L. Denlinger (playwright/director) has been writing since he was a child – when he made plans to write his revered grandfather’s biography (but never did).  A native of the Hartville, OH area, Denlinger graduated from Hartville Christian School (1981), and got his BA from Malone College (1989) in English, history, and education.  He finished his MA in English and theatre at The Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury College (1999), spending two summers at Lincoln College, Oxford University, and two at the Middlebury campus. 

As a director, Denlinger led drama programs at Steubenville High School, Steubenville, OH (1992-94), and Hoover High School, North Canton, OH (1997 – 2001).  After he moved to Los Angeles in August 2001, he began to write for the stage and screen.  Three summers ago, he developed a stage adaptation of Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities with his writing partner, Steven M. Huey – a work slated for fall production with Denlinger directing at the Hollywood Repertory Theatre, Hollywood, CA.  His first feature-length screenplay, The French Inquisitor, also written with Huey, is in its final stages of development.  He has also written the first draft of a low-budget screenplay, Fish, which he intends to direct.

In the world of Story, Denlinger counts among his mentors Oskar Eustis (Joseph Papp Public Theatre, NYC), screenwriter Tom Rickman (Coal Miner’s Daughter), Robert McKee (Story Seminar), and producer Marty Caan (Warner Brothers).   Denlinger attends Pasadena Mennonite Church, Pasadena, CA, and works as a high school English teacher at a private school in Los Angeles.

Denlinger is grateful to everyone involved in this workshop – including the audience for taking a risk and coming to see this show.  He is especially grateful, however, for the collaborative efforts of his composer, Myron Fink, and for the work of his producing partners, Dick Gotschall, Amanda Swinehart, and Todd Ranney – whose combined planning efforts have made this development workshop possible.