Biography
Playwright, theater producer, director and writer, Marie Kohler is the daughter of John Michael Kohler III and Julilly House. Raised in Kohler, Wisconsin at Riverbend, the home built by her grandfather Gov. Walter J. Kohler in 1923. Marie Kohler graduated from Kohler High School in 1969 and holds an Honors BA from Harvard University (1973, Magna Cum Laude) and an MA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee(1979) – both degrees in English Literature. Kohler co-founded Renaissance Theaterworks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1993, with four other female theater professionals to create more opportunities for women in theater. She served there as Co-Artistic Director until 2013 and as Resident Playwright through 2019. ÂCareer/personal life
Kohler's interest in theater began early, when her mother took her to local and national productions. She formed the first drama club of her high school, earning her the school's first "Humanities Award." In college, she performed with the Harvard Dramatic Society, where she met Colin Cabot; they married in 1974. The couple moved back to Wisconsin where Cabot worked at the Skylight Music Theatre. After the birth of their daughter, Anne, the family moved to Europe for a year when Cabot served as assistant to opera composer Gian Carlo Menotti in Scotland and Italy. When the couple returned to Milwaukee, Kohler began her master's work at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, completing her degree in 1979. Their second daughter, Marie Christine, was born the same year. In 1980, Kohler began freelancing as a journalist for various Milwaukee- and Wisconsin-based publications, as well as national publications, such as American Theater Magazine and National Trust Magazine. In the mid-1980s, Kohler and Cabot separated, and Kohler turned her attention to acting, writing plays and freelance journalism. In 1989, Kohler met Brian Mani while performing in ''Great Expectations''; they married in 1992. Mani had a daughter, Tricia Hooper. Kohler has written several roles for Mani, a classically trained actor with American Players Theatre; they have worked often together on plays she has produced or directed. She has written six plays, all professionally produced and garnering strong notice and awards. The Milwaukee Arts Board named her Artist of the Year (2005). Kohler serves on the board of the Wisconsin Humanities Council and commits herself to environmental, cultural and social causes.Written Works
A Girl of the Limberlost (1993)
Adapted from Gene Stratton Porter's 1909 classic novel. Premiere Production: Children's Theater of Madison, Madison, WI, 1993 Published by YouthPLAYSCounting Days (1995)
Premiere Production: Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee, WI, 1995Midnight and Moll Flanders (2000)
Premiere Production: Renaissance Theaterworks in collaboration withBoswell's Dreams (2005)
Premiere Production: Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee, WI, 2005The Dig (2008)
Premiere Production: Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee, WI, 2009Witch House (2015)
Boswell (2019)
Adapted from BOSWELL'S DREAMS. Premiere Production: Festival Fringe, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2019 Published by Dramatic PublishingMaybe We'll Fly, At the Witch House (in development)
Directing credits
Productions
* ''OLD COMISKEY PARK'' by Peter Filichia, Within These Walls Monologue Festival, Forward Theater Co. – 2021 * ''HAPPY DAYS'' by Samuel Beckett, Renaissance Theaterworks – 2020 * ''BOSWELL'' by Marie Kohler (co-directed with Laura Gordon), Edinburgh Fringe Festival – 2019 * ''DEAR ELIZABETH'' by Sarah Ruhl, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre – 2015 * ''THE KREUTZER SONATA'' by Nancy Harris, Renaissance Theaterworks – 2015 * ''HONOUR by Joanna Murray-Smith, Renaissance Theaterworks – 2012 * ''A PHOENIX TOO FREQUENT'' by Christopher Fry, Renaissance Theaterworks – 2012Staged Readings
* ''THE CHILDREN'' by Lucy Kirkwood, Third Avenue Playhouse (via Zoom) – 2021 * ''DUCK'' by Christine Kallmann, St. John's on the Lake – 2017 * ''DUCK'' by Christine Kallmann, Brink New Plays, Renaissance Theaterworks – 2016 * ''TRIFLES'' by Susan Glaspell, American Players Theatre – 2016 * ''FOG'' by Eugene O’Neill, American Players Theatre – 2016 * ''CENSORED ON FINAL APPROACH'' by Phylis Ravel, Milwaukee VA Medical Center – 2013 * THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST'' by Oscar Wilde, Renaissance Theaterworks – 2005Journalism
Kohler has been a freelance journalist for Wisconsin and national publications since 1980. She has written film reviews for the''American Theatre Magazine''
''Shepherd Express''
''Milwaukee Magazine''
Wisconsin Academy Review
Milwaukee Metro
Milwaukee Footlights
Awards
A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST
* Julie Harris Playwright Award, Beverly Hills Theatre Guild, Honorable Mention - 2014COUNTING DAYS
* Best New Regional Play, American Theatre Critics Association - 1995 * New Play Festival, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Finalist - 1995 * Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Nominee - 1995MIDNIGHT and MOLL FLANDERS
* Best New Play - Milwaukee Magazine - 2000 * Inkslinger Playwriting Competition, Semi-finalist - 2018BOSWELL'S DREAMS
* Susan Smith Blackburn Prize - Nominee - 2005 * Best of Year - Milwaukee Magazine - 2005 * Abingdon Award - Finalist - 2005 * Wisconsin Wrights - Finalist - 2005THE DIG
* Susan Smith Blackburn Prize - Nominee - 2009 * Playwrights' Center Lab - Finalist - 2009 * Playwrights First - Semi-finalist - 2009WITCH HOUSE
* Todd McNerney Playwriting Award, Finalist - 2017 * Wisconsin Wrights New Play Festival, Finalist - 2017Career Awards
* Artist of the Year, Milwaukee Arts Board, 2005 * Friend of the Arts, Milwaukee Arts Board, 2020 * Fellow, Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, 2024References
External links