About the Artist

Bryan serves as playwright-in-residence for the Northwest Playwrights Alliance at Seattle Repertory Theatre, where he created Bicycle Noir - A Love Story On Wheels as a member of the Rep's Writers Group. His plays have appeared throughout the U.K., Israel, Japan, U.S. and Canada, including New York Theater Workshop, Milwaukee Rep, Unseam’d Shakespeare Co., ACT, Book-It Repertory Theatre and Riverside Studios in London. His work has also been featured on NPR and BBC Radio. Bryan is the proud recipient of a Theater Fellowship from Artist Trust and has worked in the literary departments of many theaters, including Lincoln Center (NYU's Playwright-in-Residence) and Playwrights Horizons. Bryan lives in Olympia with his son Zach in their new home: Willoughby, Significantly Close to the Sea.

Bryan received GAP 2016 funding for Bicycle Noir - A Love Story On Wheels, a love letter to his home town, Olympia, which is going through growing pains and redefining itself as the population increases. This is a site specific work, beginning at the Olympia Farmer’s Market, following the boardwalk along Budd Bay with the final scene staged about a mile away at the City’s new West Bay Park. The play was produced with great success for a single weekend last August, co-produced by several groups, including the Olympia Arts Commission and the Northwest Playwrights Alliance.

From the Artist

My life as a financially independent, freelance playwright began with an Artist Trust Theater Fellowship in the '90s. I never looked back. Except to say Thank You Artist Trust for supporting so many Northwest Artists and for helping me make a major step in my career.

Bryan Willis