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Date of Birth
Labute was born in Detroit, Michigan to Marian Labute and Richard Labute. Marian worked as a hospital receptionist while Richard Labute worked as a long-haul truck driver. -
The Soft Skin
Neil LaBute was inspired into theater and film after watching The Soft Skin, directed by Francois Truffaut -
Moved to Washington
In 1966, his family moved to Spokane Washington. -
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Childhood
LaBute had a tough childhood. His father was abusive towards him and the rest of the family. His family would worried since LaBute's father's temper would constantly change. This leads LaBute to be curious about human behavior and the choices humans make. -
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High School
He attended Central Valley Highschool where he acted in a few highschool plays -
He Starts Writing
He begins writing plays based on his experiences and perspectives -
Birmingham University
Neil studied theater at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He produced a number of plays that were out of the norm of what was acceptable at the religious university, some of which were shut down after their premieres. However, he also was honored as one of the "most promising undergraduate playwrights" at the BYU theater department's annual awards. -
Married
He married Lisa Gore, who was a therapist, at the age of 23. They also had 2 kids together named Lily and Spencer LaBute. -
Filthy Talk for Troubled Times
A collection of his early work that tackles topics of self-identity, sexuality, and romance. -
New York Univeristy
Labute graduated from New York University with an MFA in Dramatic Writing. He also spent a semester at the Royal Court Theater in London. -
In The Company of Men
Synopsis: Chad and Howard are junior executives who are suffering from recent breakups with their girlfriends. To gain male dominance, they vengefully plot to romance a deaf secretary with the intention of simultaneously breaking up with her and thus destroying her fragile self-esteem. -
Separation
His dark writing caused conflict in his relationship, which led him to experience a fallout with his wife and be separated from his kids -
9/11
A plane hijacked by terrorists crashed into the Twin Towers killing more than 2000 people
Source: https://nymag.com/news/articles/wtc/1year/numbers.htm -
The Shape of Things
Synopsis:
When college student Adam falls hard for Evelyn, an ambitious art major, the meaning of both art and friendship are pushed to their limits. Source:https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-shape-of-things -
Drama Desk Award
Labute's play "The Shape of Things" wins Drama Desk Award for Outstanding play -
The Mercy Seat
Synopsis: Ben, a business worker who worked at the World Trade Center was away from the office with his mistress and boss, Abby during the attacks on 9/11. Ben sees the attack as a way to run away with Abby and fake his death -
Fat Pig
Synopsis: Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig tells the story of Tom, a young professional who falls for a self-confident and overweight librarian named Helen. When Tom’s friend Carter catches wind of the new relationship, he shows a picture of Helen to everyone in the office--forcing Tom to make a decision about how he will handle the social pressures of dating a “fat pig.”
Source: Stagegent Youtube Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yMjfhYBRbs -
Some Girls
Synopsis: A man decides to re-connect with a handful of ex-girlfriends before he gets married -
Oliver Awards
LaBute play Fat Pig was nominated for Best New Comedy -
Reasons to Be Pretty
Synopsis: Greg's relationship is sent through a spiral after he makes a seemingly harmless comment about his girlfriend Steph's "regular-looking face" -
Tony Award Nominee
Neil Labute's play "Reasons to Be Pretty" was nominated for best Play in the Tony Awards -
Married again?
In 2016, he married Gia Crovatin -
Theater Cut Ties with LaBute
MCC Theater who cherished LaBute's plays canceled Labute's latest production and terminated his playwright-in-residence. Executive Director, Blake West stated, "We’re committed to creating and maintaining a respectful and professional work environment for everyone we work with.” Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/theater/neil-labute-theater.html -
Present
As of right now, Labute has written 27 plays and directed 13 films. He is still actively working, but mainly shifted his focus into filmmaking. -
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