Jonathan Blitstein
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Blitstein is an American
playwright, and indie filmmaker. He is known for his indie film Let Them Chirp Awhile
and his acclaimed play Keep Your Baggage With You for which he won the New York Innovative Theater Award (2011). A graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts
at New York University
, and a current student in the master's program for Theater History and Criticism at Brooklyn College
, Blitstein previously studied acting at The Second City Workshop and The Piven Theater in Chicago, LAByrinth Theater and Primary Stages in NYC, and has worked with Theater For the New City, Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, The Defiant Theater, members of The Hypocrites
, The Taxi Theater Company, Magic Bullet Media/Sauce and Co. and The Process Group. He is a founding member and current resident playwright with Lesser America, is an associate artist with the LoNyLa Project, and is a member of the Rising Phoenix Repertory. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
, who is a former American
journalist, now executive director of SCE, a Non-Profit organization. They are first-cousins to Jeremy and Michael Stoppelman who are the founders of Yelp, Inc. Blitstein is a collaborator and lifelong friend of musician Bryan Scary
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
playwright, and indie filmmaker. He is known for his indie film Let Them Chirp Awhile
Let Them Chirp Awhile
Let Them Chirp Awhile is a 2007 independent drama-comedy by Jonathan Blitstein, filmed in just eighteen days in New York during October 2006. The film was produced by Anouk Frosch and Jonathan Blitstein. It was photographed by Andrew Shulkind. The release began December 5, 2008 in select...
and his acclaimed play Keep Your Baggage With You for which he won the New York Innovative Theater Award (2011). A graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch School of the Arts is one of the 15 schools that make up New York University ....
at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, and a current student in the master's program for Theater History and Criticism at Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is a senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, United States.Established in 1930 by the New York City Board of Higher Education, the College had its beginnings as the Downtown Brooklyn branches of Hunter College and the City College of New...
, Blitstein previously studied acting at The Second City Workshop and The Piven Theater in Chicago, LAByrinth Theater and Primary Stages in NYC, and has worked with Theater For the New City, Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, The Defiant Theater, members of The Hypocrites
The Hypocrites (theatre)
The Hypocrites is an award-winning Chicago storefront theate company founded in 1997 by Sean Graney, Brandon Kruse and Christopher Cintron. Graney has been artistic director of the company since its founding. Megan Wildebour serves as their current Managing Director...
, The Taxi Theater Company, Magic Bullet Media/Sauce and Co. and The Process Group. He is a founding member and current resident playwright with Lesser America, is an associate artist with the LoNyLa Project, and is a member of the Rising Phoenix Repertory. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Plays
- Squealer produced with Lesser America in Spring 2011
- The Audition at the Park (2010) One-Act produced as part of the ESPA Site Specific Directing Class
- Keep Your Baggage With You (at all times) (2009) (First produced at Theater for the New CityTheater for the New CityTheater for the New City, founded in 1971 and known familiarly as "TNC", is one of New York City's leading Off-Off-Broadway theaters, known for radical political plays and community commitment. Productions at TNC have won 43 Obie Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama...
part of the Dream Up Festival, Summer 2010) - Scott's Funeral (2009) 10-page play (First performed at TAXI theater Queens)
- Unsweetened Americana (2009) One-Act
Other information
He has one sibling, Ryan BlitsteinRyan Blitstein
Ryan Blitstein is Executive Director of the Chicago philanthropic organization SCE and a former American journalist...
, who is a former American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist, now executive director of SCE, a Non-Profit organization. They are first-cousins to Jeremy and Michael Stoppelman who are the founders of Yelp, Inc. Blitstein is a collaborator and lifelong friend of musician Bryan Scary
Bryan Scary
Bryan Scary is a pop musician currently based out of Brooklyn, New York. His debut album, The Shredding Tears, was released by Black and Greene Records on October 31, 2006. Scary played all instruments on the album save for the drums, which were played by Jeremy Black of Apollo Sunshine...
.