Kristine Thatcher Biography

is a proud member of Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble. Her first play, Niedecher, had its Chicago debut last fall at The Writer's Theatre with Ms. Thatcher appearing in the title role. It was a finalist for both the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 1986, and the National Arts Club's Joseph Kesselring Award, in 1987. Her fourth play Emma's Child, which had a ninemonth run at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, played to critical acclaim at Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago. Emma's Child is the winner of the 1995 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, a 1997 Illinois Arts Council Fellowship, the 1997 RESOLVE award for Excellence in the Arts, a 1997 After Dark "Award for Outstanding New Work." Emma's Child played to a sold-out run at the Marin Theatre in San Francisco, with Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry last winter. Her latest play, Apparitions, was commissioned by and premiered at Peninsula Players in Door County. She has recently completed a play based on the life of the late Texas Congresswoman, Barbara Jordan, entitled Voice of Good Hope. She is currently commissioned to write new plays for both Victory Gardens and The Purple Rose Theatre Company. An accomplished actress as well, Ms. Thatcher makes her home in Chicago with her husband, actor David Darlow, and their daughter, Kerry Miriam.