Wolfe, George C. 1954–

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Wolfe, George C. 1954–

(George Wolfe)

PERSONAL

Full name, George Costello Wolfe; born September 23, 1954, in Frankfurt, KY; son of Costello (a government clerk) and Anna (an educator; maiden name, Lindsey) Wolfe. Education: Pomona College, B.A., directing, 1976; New York University, M.F.A., dramatic writing and musical theater, 1983; also attended Kentucky State University for one year.

Addresses:

Agent—Creative Artist Agency, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067.

Career:

Writer, director, and producer. Worked at Inner City Cultural Center, Los Angeles, 1975-78; City College of New York and Richard Allen Center for Cultural Art, teacher, 1979-?; Public Theatre, New York City, resident director, 1990-93, head producer, 1993-2005; curator of Festival of New Voices, 1990 and 1992; also taught acting in Los Angeles.

Member:

Dramatists Guild (member of the executive board), Directors Guild of America, Writers Guild of America, Young Playwrights Festival (member of board of directors), Non-Traditional Casting Project.

Awards, Honors:

American College Theatre Festival Awards (South Pacific Region), c. 1975-76, for Up for Grabs and Block Party; Elizabeth Hull-Kate Warriner Award, Dramatists Guild, 1986, for The Colored Museum; Obie Award for direction, Village Voice, 1990, for Spunk; Dorothy Chandler Award, 1992; Antoinette Perry Award nominations, best book of a musical and best director of a musical, 1992, Drama Desk Award, outstanding book for a musical, Drama Desk Award nomination, outstanding director of a musical, 1992, Joe A. Callaway Award, 1993, all for Jelly's Last Jam; Drama Desk Award, outstanding director of a play, Drama Desk Award, outstanding new play, Antoinette Perry Award nomination, best director of a play, 1993, all for Angels in America: Millennium Approaches; Outer Critics Circle Award, outstanding director for a play, Drama Desk Award, outstanding play, 1994, both for Angels in America: Perestroika; Antoinette Perry Award, best leading actor, 1996, for A Delicate Balance; Drama Desk Award nomination, outstanding director of a play, 1996, for The Tempest; Antoinette Perry Award nomination, best original score, Antoinette Perry Award nomination, best musical, Drama Desk Award nominations, outstanding director of a musical and outstanding musical, Drama League Award, distinguished achievement in musical theater, 1996, all for Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk; honored as a Library Lion, New York Public Library, 1997; Drama Desk Award, outstanding new play, 1997, for The Striker; Antoinette Perry Award nomination, best play, 1998, for Golden Child; Drama Desk Award nomination, outstanding play, Antoinette Perry Award, best play, 2000, for The Ride Down Mt. Morgan; Antoinette Perry Award nominations, best book of a musical and best musical, 2000, both for The Wild Party; Obie Award, best director, 2001-02, Antoinette Perry Award nomination, best play, Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, outstanding director, 2002, all for Topdog/Underdog; Antoinette Perry Award, best play, Drama Desk Award, outstanding new play, 2003, both for Take Me Out; Drama Desk Award nomination, outstanding director of a musical, Lucille Lortel Award, unique theatrical experience, 2002, both for Elaine Stritch at Liberty; Antoinette Perry Award nomination, best direction of a musical, Antoinette Perry Award nomination, best musical, Drama Desk Award nomination, outstanding director of a musical, Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, outstanding director of a musical, 2004, all for Caroline, or Change; Obie Award, special citation, 2004, for his stewardship of the Public Theatre; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding directing for a miniseries, movie or dramatic special, 2005, Directors Guild of America Award (with others), outstanding directorial achievement in movies for television, Christopher Award (with others), television and cable, Black Reel Award, best director—television, Image Award nomination, outstanding directing in a feature film/television movie, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Independent Spirit Award nomination (with others), best first feature, Independent Features Project West, 2006, all for Lackawanna Blues; Lifetime Achievement Award, Hollywood NAACP Theatre Award, 2007; named a living landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy; three Audelco Awards; Paul Robeson Award; the George Oppenheimer/Newsday Award; CBS-FDG New Play Award; New York University Distinguished Alumni Award; HBO/USA Playwrights Award; Person of the Year Award, National Theatre Conference; Spirit of the City Award; LAMBDA Liberty Award; Ilka Award, H.O.L.A.; Caring Spirit Award, Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS (APICHA); and grantee, Rockefeller Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Institute of Musical Theatre.

CREDITS

Stage Director:

Summer Suns/Tales of Night, Inner City Cultural Center, Los Angeles, 1978-79.

Spunk (includes "Story in Harlem Slang," "Sweat," and "The Gilded Six Bits"), Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, 1989, then Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, New York City, 1990, later produced in repertory, 1990.

The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1990-91.

Minimum Wage, 1991.

Jelly's Last Jam, Mark Taper Forum, 1991, then Virginia Theatre, New York City, 1992-93.

Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, 1993.

Angels in America: Perestroika, Walter Kerr Theatre, 1993-94.

Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, New York City, 1994.

Blade to the Heat, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, New York City, 1994.

(And cocreator, with Savion Glover) Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1995-96.

The Tempest, Delacorte Theatre, New York City, then Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, 1995.

On the Town, Delacorte Theatre, 1997, then Gershwin Theatre, New York City, 1998.

Amistad, Civic Opera House, Chicago, IL, 1998.

Macbeth, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1998.

Buzz Cuts, 1998.

The Wild Party, Virginia Theatre, 2000.

Elaine Stritch at Liberty, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2001-2002.

Topdog/Underdog, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2001, then Ambassador Theatre, New York City, 2002.

Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, Cadillac Theatre, Chicago, IL, 2002.

Harlem Song, New York City, 2002.

Radiant Baby, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2003.

Caroline, or Change, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2003-2004.

This Is How It Goes, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 2005.

Mother Courage and Her Children, Delacorte Theatre, 2006.

Stage Producer:

First Lady Suite, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, New York City, 1993.

The Swan, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, New York City, 1993.

The Treatment, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, New York City, 1993.

All's Well That Ends Well, Delacorte Theatre, New York City, 1993.

Measure for Measure, Delacorte Theatre, 1994.

Some People, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 1994.

Two Gentleman of Verona, Delacorte Theatre, 1994.

The Merry Wives of Windsor, Delacorte Theatre, 1994.

Big Momma 'N' Em, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 1994.

Airport Music, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, 1994.

All for You, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 1994.

The Tragedy of Richard II, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1994.

Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1994.

The America Play, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1994.

Irene Worth's Portrait of Edith Wharton, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 1994.

East Texas Hot Links, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1994.

Blade to the Heat, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1994.

Him, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, LuEsther Hall, New York City, 1994.

Simpatico, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1994.

The Diva Is Dismissed, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 1994.

The Petrified Prince, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1994-95.

Wake Up, I'm Fat, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, LuEsther Hall, 1995.

Troilus and Cressida, Delacorte Theatre, 1995.

The Tempest, Delacorte Theatre, then Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, 1995.

Dog Opera, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1995.

Dancing on Moonlight, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1995.

A Language of Their Own, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 1995.

Silence, Cunning, Exile, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1995.

The Merchant of Venice, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1995.

Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1995-96.

WASPs and Other Plays, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1995-96.

Insurrection: Holding History, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, LuEsther Hall, 1996.

Golden Child, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1996.

Timon of Athens, Delacorte Theatre, 1996.

Henry V, Delacorte Theatre, 1996.

The Chang Fragments, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, LuEsther Hall, 1996.

The Striker, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1996.

Venus, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1996.

A Line Around the Block, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, 1996.

Nude Nude Totally Nude, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1996.

Dancing on Her Knees, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1996.

King Lear, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1996.

Henry VI Part I: The Edged Sword, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1996-97.

Henry VI: Part II: Black Storm, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1996-97.

Henry VIII, Delacorte Theatre, 1997.

The Gypsy and the Yellow Canary, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1997.

One Flea Spare, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1997.

Antony and Cleopatra, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1997.

A Huey P. Newton Story, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, LuEsther Hall, 1997.

Ballad of Yachiyo, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1997.

A Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1997.

On the Town, Delacorte Theatre, 1997.

Cymbeline, Delacorte Theatre, 1998.

The Skin of Our Teeth, Delacorte Theatre, 1998.

The Cripple of Inishmann, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1998.

Saturn Returns: A Concert, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, LuEsther Hall, 1998.

Macbeth, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1998.

Pericles, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1998-99.

The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1998, then Broadway production, 2000.

Stop Kiss, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 1998.

Everybody's Ruby, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 1999.

Tongue of a Bird, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1999.

2.5 Minute Ride, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 1999.

The Taming of the Shrew, Delacorte Theatre, 1999.

Tartuffe, Delacorte Theatre, 1999.

Space, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 1999.

Hamlet, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 1999.

Two Sisters and a Piano, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 2000.

House Arrest, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2000.

The Winter's Tale, Delacorte Theatre, 2000.

The Wild Party, Virginia Theatre, New York City, 2000.

Kit Marlowe, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2000.

Book of the Dead (Second Avenue), Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 2000.

Shakespeare's Villains: A Master Class in Evil, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 2001.

Lackawanna Blues, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, LuEsther Hall, 2001.

Dogeaters, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 2001.

References to Salvador Dali Makes Me Hot, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, 2001.

Measure for Measure, Delacorte Theatre, 2001.

The Seagull, Delacorte Theatre, 2001.

Topdog/Underdog, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2001, then Ambassador Theatre, New York City, 2002.

Elaine Stritch at Liberty, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2001-2002.

Othello, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 2001.

36 Views, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2002.

Helen, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 2002.

Blue Surge, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 2002.

Twelfth Night, Delacorte Theatre, 2002.

Take Me Out, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 2002.

Boston Marriage, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 2002.

Radiant Baby, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2003.

Fuckin A, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 2003.

As You Like It, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 2003.

Henry V, Delacorte Theatre, 2003.

The Two Noble Kinsmen, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 2003.

Caroline, or Change, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2003-2004.

The Story, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 2003.

Embedded, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2004.

Well, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 2004.

Biro, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, LuEsther Hall, 2004.

Much Ado About Nothing, Delacorte Theatre, 2004.

Dirty Tricks, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 2004.

Richard III, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 2004.

This Is How It Goes, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Anspacher Theatre, 2005.

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Martinson Hall, 2005.

The Controversy of Valladolid, Joseph Papp Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, 2005.

Stage Appearances:

A Delicate Balance, 1996.

Television Work; Movies:

Director, Lackawanna Blues, HBO, 2005.

Television Work; Specials:

Coproducer, The Supreme Court's Holy Battles, PBS, 1989.

(As George Wolfe) Creator and producer, Marcel Proust: A Writer's Life, PBS, 1993.

Performance director, Jessye Norman Sings for the Healing of AIDS, 2000.

Advisor, Ralph Ellison: An American Journey, 2002.

Director (stage), Elaine Stritch at Liberty, HBO, 2004.

Director, The WIN Awards, PAX, 2005.

Television Director; Episodic:

"The Colored Museum," Great Performances, PBS, 1991.

"Jammin': Jelly Roll Morton on Broadway, Great Performances, PBS, 1992.

"In the Wings: Angels in America on Broadway, Great Performances, PBS, 1993.

"Fires in the Mirror," American Playhouse, PBS, 1993.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Robert Klein on Broadway (also known as On Location: Robert Klein on Broadway), 1986.

Story of a People: Expressions in Black, syndicated, 1991.

The 47th Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1993.

Signature: George C. Wolfe, PBS, 1997.

I'll Make Me a World: A Century of African-American Arts, PBS, 1999.

Stage on Screen: The Topdog Diaries, 2002.

The 58th Annual Tony Awards (also known as The 2004 Tony Awards), CBS, 2004.

Elaine Stritch at Liberty, HBO, 2004.

2006 Independent Spirit Awards, Independent Film Channel, 2006.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

(Uncredited) Party guest, "The Colored Museum," Great Performances, PBS, 1991.

"Jammin': Jelly Roll Morton on Broadway, Great Performances, PBS, 1992.

In the Life, 1993.

"In the Wings: Angels in America on Broadway," Great Performances, PBS, 1993.

Changing Stages, PBS, 2001.

"Syncopated City: 1919-1933," Broadway: The American Musical, PBS, 2004.

Film Work:

Director, Nights in Rodanthe, Warner Bros., 2008.

Film Appearances:

Himself, Finding Christa, 1991.

Cat lover, Fresh Kill, Strand Releasing, 1993.

Himself, The Papp Project (documentary), 2001.

Restaurant manager, Garden State, Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2004.

Himself, The N-Word (documentary; also known as The N-Word: Divided We Stand), Urban Works Entertainment, 2004.

Paul, The Devil Wears Prada, Twentieth Century-Fox, 2006.

Himself, Wrestling with Angels (documentary), Balcony Releasing, 2006.

Himself, ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway (documentary), Regent Releasing, 2007.

WRITINGS

Stage Plays:

Up for Grabs, 1975.

Block Party, 1976.

Back Alley Tales, Inner City Cultural Center, Los Angeles, 1978.

Book and lyrics, Paradise! (musical), Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati, OH, then Playwrights Horizons Theatre, New York City, both 1985-86.

Book and lyrics, The Colored Museum (musical), Crossroads Theatre Company, New Brunswick, NJ, 1985-86, then Public Theatre, Susan Stein Shiva Theatre, New York City, 1986-87, later Public Theatre, Newman Theatre, New York City, 1987, produced in repertory, 1987-89.

Libretto, Queenie Pie (musical), Eisenhower Theatre, New York City, 1986-87.

Contributor, Urban Blight, Manhattan Theatre Club Stage I, New York City, 1988.

Book, Jelly's Last Jam, Mark Taper Forum, 1991, then Broadway production, 1992.

Blackout, Public Theatre, New York City, 1991.

(With Michael John LaChiusa) Book, The Wild Party (musical), Virginia Theatre, New York City, 2000.

Harlem Song, New York City, 2002.