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Birthday, Birthplace and Family:3
Neil LaBute, an American playwright and filmmaker, was born March 19, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan, United States - a city that has been a significant influence on his work throughout his career. His parents were Carolyn and Richard LaBute. He was the second child. He had an older brother named Richard. His parents raised his brother and Neil in a very tight-knit family that would ended up playing a huge role in his future works. -
An interest in the theather was sparked!
In an interview with Robert K. Elder, Neil talks about how his interest in theather was sparked; he said that he had fallen in love with it after watching "The Soft Skin" (La Peau Douce 1964). -
His family moves to a new state!
In 1966, his family moved to Spokane, Washington. This move was important in Neil's life as it exposed him to Washington's well-known art community. There, he began exploring his creative interests. The art scene at the time really made Neil enjoy storytelling and theater. In his future work, he would mention this city; it became part of his artistic identity. -
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His childhood- understanding his journey growing up
After moving to Washington, Neil was subjected to a hard family life. Growing up in Spokane, Washington, his father was abusive toward him, his brother and their mother. He described his father as "unpredictable"; his family feared his father's temper because it would constantly change, becoming violent. Despite having a rough upbringing, he took a certain moral code. He became interesed in human behaviour; he wanted to know why someone would choose good or evil which he would go on to explore. -
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Highschool
He was a student at Central Valley Highschool. He acted in some of his schools plays with his friends. -
He starts writing!!!
In 1979, he began writing plays. He wanted to discuss his perspectives and experiences in a way that allowed him to express himself creatively. -
1980: BYU (Birmingham Young University)
At BYU, Neil LaBute studied theater and converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was there that he met Aaron Eckhart, who later starred in several of his films. LaBute produced boundary-pushing plays that challenged conservative norms, resulting in some productions being shut down. Despite this, he was recognized as one of the most promising undergraduate playwrights and received an award from the theater department. -
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He converted to Mormonism and is studying at BYU.
He converted to Mormonism and starts studying at BYU -
He ties the knot!
He marries Lisa Gore who was a devout mormon. They had two kids together. -
Master's degree in New York
LaBute earned his MFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University in 1991. As part of his program, he also spent a semester overseas at the renowned Royal Court Theatre in London; a theather known for talking about taboo topics. -
Early work: Filthy Talk for Troubled Times
The people in this story are stuck together because they're in the same place and can talk to each other. They don't seem to have good emotional or sexual relationships with each other, even though they have the same language. They explain their thoughts using simple language. But the story still reminds us that it's important for both men and women to think about how they behave in romantic and sexual relationships, or they might end up sad and alone, like the people in the topless bar. -
In the Company of Men
Chad and Howard are guys who work together and they've been sent on a trip for work. They're both feeling pretty bad because their girlfriends broke up with them recently. But instead of dealing with their feelings like normal people, they decide to do something mean. They want to both date a deaf secretary named Stacy, and then dump her at the same time. They know this will hurt her feelings and make her feel bad about herself. It's like a sick game of trying to prove who's in control. -
Second Term
Bill Clinton starts his second term as President of the United States:3 -
Seperation from his wife and kids:3
Due to the dark nature of LaBute's writing, he experienced a fallout with his spouse and a short period of distance from his kids. -
9/11
An attack against the US was carried out by Muslim extremists. -
The Shape of Things
Evelyn and Adam meet at a museum and begin a relationship that transforms Adam, who is reserved and ethical, causing him to undergo drastic changes like cosmetic surgery, and to betray his closest friend, all in an effort to look and behave differently. -
Drama Desk Award
The Shape of Things by Labute wins the award for Outstanding Play. -
The Mercy Seat
Neil LaBute's play, The Mercy Seat, was one of the earliest theatrical works to address the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The play follows the story of Ben, who worked in the World Trade Center but was not present during the attack, and his boss and mistress, Abby. The plot takes place on September 12th, with Ben considering the possibility of escaping with Abby and starting a new life, since his family believes he perished in the towers. -
Some Girls
The storyline of Some Girl(s) follows an unnamed man, referred to as "Guy," who is on the verge of tying the knot. Prior to his wedding, he embarks on a journey to meet with his ex-girlfriends, all of whom he has previously mistreated. These women comprise Sam, his sweetheart from high school, Lindsay, a college professor hailing from Boston, Tyler, with whom he had a fling in Chicago, and Bobbi, whom he could have ended up with and who resides in Los Angeles. -
Reasons to be Pretty
The story follows four young friends who are unhappy with their boring jobs and relationships with one another. This is the last part of a series of plays that tackles society's obsession with looks, following The Shape of Things and Fat Pig. -
Oliver Awards
Labute won best new comedy for Fat Pig:3 -
Tony Award Nominee
Reasons to Be Pretty, a play that received three Tony Award nominations in 2009, including Best Play, Best Leading Actor in a Play for Thomas Sadoski, and Best Featured Actress in a Play for Marin Ireland. He did not win any of the awards but he went up happy for his work. -
2023- Currently
Neil Labute is presently living and actively working. While he previously devoted much of his attention to writing plays, he has now shifted his focus towards filmmaking. To date, Labute has authored 27 plays.