Holden, Joan (1939–)

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Holden, Joan (1939–)

American theatrical producer and playwright. Born Jan 18, 1939, in Berkeley, CA; Reed College, BA; University of California at Berkeley, MA; m. Arthur Holden (principal player in mime troupe, div.); m. David Chumley; children: 3 daughters.

Worked for 2 years as a copywriter for the Librairie Larousse in Paris (1964–66); worked as a research assistant at UofC Berkeley (1966–67); was one of principal members of Tony award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe when the company formed as a collective (1967), serving as its principal playwright (1967–2000); has written and collaborated on over 23 left-wing political shows, including L'Amant Militaire, The Independent Female or a Man Has His Pride, The Hotel Universe, Factwino Trilogy, Damaged Care, Electrobucks, Hotel Universe, Steeltown, Back to Normal, Off Shore, City for Sale, and Seeing Double; taught playwrighting at University of California, Davis; adapted Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed for stage (2003). Won Obie for co-writing The Dragon Lady's Revenge (1973).