BILL ENGLISH
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF
IN CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD WOLINSKY
Bill English co-founded San Francisco Playhouse, and in ten years, has overseen its growth from a storefront to a major regional theater company, with a 6-play main stage series, a 2-play World Premiere series, an educational program and a New Works program that has commissioned 10 playwrights. Five of San Francisco Playhouse’s world premiers have been published and two have gone on to receive New York Productions. Bill’s vision propels San Francisco Playhouse to stand out among its peers for making bold choices and taking artistic risks. His concept of theater as an “Empathy Gym” where audiences practice their powers of compassion defines the San Francisco Playhouse experience. Bill is a Renaissance man who has won or been nominated for Bay Area Critics Circle Awards in six different disciplines: actor, director, set, sound and lighting designer. He is an accomplished singer, oboist, pianist and composer, who wrote and performed a score for his own short film and has performed and created musical arrangements for bands in styles from country to jazz to rock'n'roll. He is also an accomplished carpenter and has designed and built his own four-story custom cliff house and five theatres in the San Francisco Bay Area. Outside the theatre, his passions are for baseball (he played college ball at A.S.U) and peace for all mankind.
Founded by Bill English and Susi Damilano as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in 2003, San Francisco Playhouse is the Bay Area’s fastest-growing theatre company and has been described in the New York Times as “a company that stages some of the most consistently high-quality work around.” The San Francisco Playhouse is committed to providing a creative home and inspiring environment where actors, directors, writers, designers, and theater lovers converge to create works that celebrate the human spirit. SF Playhouse website.
Bill English discusses Seared, running through November 12,
the sandbox serie, the upcoming season, and the
past season in this wide-ranging discussion
Bill English discusses Company, running
through the summer, the upcoming season, and the
past season in this wide-ranging discussion
Bill English discusses Into The Woods, running
through the summer, the upcoming season,
The Sandbox series, and the
past season in this wide-ranging discussion
Bill English discusses the upcoming season, recent plays
, and other issues in this wide-ranging discussion
Heard on
Arts-Waves, KPFA-FM, Pacifica Radio Berkeley
Mondays, 3:00 pm
