Brian Parks (born c. 1962) is an American playwright, journalist and editor. He is a former Arts & Culture editor of The Village Voice and former chairman of its Obie Awards."The 2012 Obie Award Winners". The Village Voice, May 16, 2012.
As a playwright, Parks has produced works that are noted for their dark comedy and fast pace. Best known for his play Americana Absurdum (which consists of two shorter plays, Vomit & RosesThe Nation, vol. 261, 1995, p. 364. and Wolverine Dream), his other works include Goner, Suspicious Package, Out of the Way, The Invitation (titled Einladung zum Abendessen in the German-language version, translated by John and Peter von Duffel), Imperial Fizz,Gardner, Lyn (August 13, 2010). "Imperial Fizz". The Guardian. and The Professor.McMillan, Joyce (22 August 2019). "Theatre review: The Professor, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh". The Scotsman.
Americana Absurdum was honored with the “Best Writing” award at the 1997 New York International Fringe Festival and a Scotsman Fringe First Award at the 2000 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It was also produced in London in 2004 at the Menier Chocolate Factory Theater. In 2019 The Scotsman called Parks "one of the great absurdists of Fringe theatre".
Education Parks graduated from Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, in 1980."New York Playwright returns home to Detroit to open comedy "The House" at Ringwald Theatre". WXYZ-TV, March 29, 2019. He attended Brown University, then Brooklyn College, where he was awarded an MFA in playwriting."Bio". brianparksplaywright.com.
References
Further reading Personal website. "Brian Parks". The Village Voice.