Who is Will Arbery and What are His Notable Works?

## Introduction to Will Arbery Will Arbery is a prominent American playwright and screenwriter known for his unique voice and thought-provoking works. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, to Catholic academics, his upbringing heavily influences his artistic perspective. Growing up in a conservative Catholic environment with seven sisters shaped his unique viewpoint on faith, family dynamics, and intellectual discourse. ## Education and Early Career Arbery pursued his education at Kenyon College, where he honed his skills in playwriting and developed a keen interest in exploring complex social issues. He later received his MFA in playwriting from the Yale School of Drama, where he began developing his distinctive style of tackling complex philosophical and political ideas through intimate character studies. ## Notable Works ### Heroes of the Fourth Turning This breakthrough play, which premiered at Playwrights Horizons in 2019, earned Arbery widespread acclaim. Set in a backyard in Wyoming, the play follows a group of conservative Catholic friends who reunite after a college reunion, engaging in intense debates about faith, politics, and the future of America. The play received numerous accolades, including: * Obie Award for Playwriting * New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play * Pulitzer Prize finalist nomination For more information, you can read the [New York Times review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/theater/heroes-of-the-fourth-turning-review.html) of the play. ### Plano *"Plano"* premiered at Clubbed Thumb's Summerworks in 2018. The surrealist play explores the relationships between three sisters in Texas, dealing with themes of family, existential dread, and the passage of time. The play's unique structure and dark humor have been praised for their originality and depth. ### Corsicana Premiering at Playwrights Horizons in 2022, this intimate drama focuses on the relationship between a woman and her brother with Down syndrome in a small Texas town. The play continues Arbery's exploration of family dynamics while introducing new themes about neurodiversity and artistic expression. ## Writing Style and Themes Recurring Elements in Arbery's Work: 1. Complex philosophical discussions 2. Religious faith and doubt 3. Family relationships 4. Conservative American culture 5. Intellectual discourse 6. Southern/Southwestern settings > "I'm interested in the way that ideology can become embodied, and the way that our bodies resist ideology." - Will Arbery ## Recent Projects and Recognition Beyond theater, Arbery has ventured into various projects: * Television writing for HBO's *Succession* * Developing new plays at prestigious theaters * Teaching playwriting at various institutions ### Awards and Honors ``` - Whiting Award - Obie Award - New York Drama Critics' Circle Award - Pulitzer Prize finalist - Steinberg Playwright Award - Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play (2020) ``` ## Impact and Legacy Though still early in his career, Arbery has already influenced a new generation of playwrights through his: * Fearless approach to controversial subjects * Innovation in dramatic structure * Complex character development * Integration of philosophical discourse into dramatic works His ability to bridge political divides through empathetic storytelling and present complex philosophical ideas in accessible ways has established him as one of the most significant voices in contemporary American theater. For more about Will Arbery and his works, you can visit his [official website](http://willarbery.com/) or follow him on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/FilmUpdates).

Who is Will Arbery and What are His Notable Works?

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