Playwright and Screenwriter
“Jon Klein is an amazing playwright, but more importantly he is a unique and extraordinary artist whose pursuit of artistic excellence through the craft of writing can serve as a useful tool to the benefit of artists and students. His wealth of knowledge and skill when it comes to writing is not to be debated. He has truly lived a full life as a successful playwright.”
— Kenny Leon, Tony-award winning director
T BONE N WEASEL, adapted by the author from his play - TNT Film, directed by Lewis Teague, starring Gregory Hines, Christopher Lloyd.
Jon Klein is the author of over 35 produced plays, performed Off-Broadway and at many prestigious regional theatres, including premieres at the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Alliance Theatre, Arena Stage and many others. His most produced works include T Bone N Weasel, Dimly Perceived Threats to the System, Betty the Yeti, and the only authorized stage version of the classic children’s book, Bunnicula. His most recent plays are the award-winning Resolving Hedda and Faithless, produced in Los Angeles and DC. He also adapted T Bone N Weasel for a Turner Network film, starring Gregory Hines and Christopher Lloyd.
Jon has been a Playwright-in-Residence at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle. He taught playwriting and screenwriting for 17 years at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, until his recent retirement. He previously taught at UCLA, the University of Texas, the University of Washington, Ohio University, and Hollins University.
New Productions
Produced at Washington Stage Guild in Washington, DC from September 26 to October 20, 2024.
DC Theatre Arts:
“A fastball game of HILARITY, HUBRIS AND HUMILITY plays out among members of a strong-minded clan. Steven Carpenter directs this SPARKLING NEW DRAMA [and] Klein provides him with first-rate material. The playwright’s SURE-FIRE DIALOGUE combines lofty questions with very funny analogies to popular culture.”
Published by Broadway Play Publishing.
Previously produced at the Victory Theatre Center in Los Angeles!
Top Rated Plays List - The Highest Rated Shows In LA
The "Theatre In LA Top Rated Plays List" is a list of the top rated plays now running in the LA area based on what the current reviews are saying. To see all of the play reviews go to Review Round-Up.
Stage Scene LA- Highly Recommended
NoHoArtsDistrict- Highly Recommended
Showmag- Highly Recommended
Stage Raw- Recommended
Ticket Holders LA- Highly Recommended
Larchmont Buzz- Recommended
Jon was the Honoree at the 2023 PlayFest Santa Barbara in California, culminating in a public reading of FAITHLESS on April 22, 2023.
Newly Published
Life As A Playwright: A Survival Guide
Addressing the questions central to any playwright's career and identity, Jon Klein offers you a glimpse into a career writing for the theatre. As well as an account of the day-to-day life of a writer, he also discusses what an aspiring playwright should expect as they navigate the industry and how to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, the book looks at situations that the emerging playwright is likely to encounter, including: handling rehearsals, workshops, castings, re-writing, venues, reviews, successes and failure.
The book concludes with seventeen interviews with other USA-based playwrights, representing a wide range of experience, from writers just starting to make a name for themselves to seasoned, award-winning veterans such as Sheila Callaghan, Steven Dietz, Keith Glover, Lauren Gunderson, John Pielmeier and Jen Silverman.
“A great, informative read, and an importance resource. The author has had a long, successful career as a working playwright and professor, and he really knows his stuff. This book is invaluable for playwrights just getting started as well as writers in mid-career.”
—Robert L. Freedman, Tony award-winning author of A Gentleman's Guide to Murder
RESOLVING HEDDA, published by Broadway Play Publishing.
IN DEVELOPMENT
DECENCY - new play
BUTCHERTOWN - based on Jon's award-winning screenplay.
CHANCE AND NECESSITY - featured in the Locally Grown Festival, Theatre J, Washington, DC.
EARLY STAGES - read at Primary Stages, NYC.
MFA Playwriting Program at Catholic University
After 17 years as a tenured professor, Jon has retired from Catholic University and no longer heads the MFA Playwriting Program. For information on the program, please refer to the department website.