AMERICAN THEATRE | The Subtext: Samuel D. Hunter Writes His Way Home

Each month on The Subtext, Brian speaks with a playwright about life, writing, and whatever itches we are scratching.

On this month’s episode, Brian talks to playwright Samuel D. Hunter about the writing life. He discusses his experiences growing up in the Pacific Northwest and being outed by a juvenile Javert at his conservative religious high school, balancing writing and parenthood, and developing his latest play at Steppenwolf in Chicago. In Little Bear Ridge Road, which runs June 13-July 21, an estranged aunt and nephew reunite to clean up the mess left behind after a troubled father’s passing. The play is directed by Joe Mantello and stars Laurie Metcalf.

Hunter grew up in Moscow, Idaho, and lives in New York City with his husband and daughter. His plays include The Whale, A Case for the Existence of God, A Bright New Boise, Greater Clements, Lewiston/Clarkston, The Few, A Great Wilderness, Rest, Pocatello, The Healing, and The Harvest, among others. His screenplay adaptation of The Whale, directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Brendan Fraser, was nominated for the 2023 BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and received two Oscars, including Best Actor. He was also a writer and producer on all four seasons of FX’s Baskets. He is the recipient of a 2014 MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship, a 2012 Whiting Writers Award and an honorary doctorate from the University of Idaho. He holds degrees in playwriting from NYU, the Iowa Playwrights Workshop, and Juilliard.