Embedded Files
Biography, Artistic Statement, Podcast, Production History, Other Contemporary Playwrights
BIOGRAPHY
Donald E. Baker was born and raised in Indiana. After earning graduate degrees in history and library science—and service in the United States Air Force—he spent his working years as a public librarian in Evansville, Indiana, and in Cincinnati, Ohio. During that time he also wrote several books and pamphlets on local history, most notably Evansville Then & Now, a book published in 1995 in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Evansville Courier newspaper. He also wrote a series of historical vignettes for WNIN public television and thirteen seasons of program notes for the Evansville Philharmonic.
After retiring with his husband to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Baker began writing plays about the life experience of older gay men, plays about racial prejudice and homophobia, and plays about historical events to provide context for today’s American society.
Baker is a member of the Dramatists Guild and New Play Exchange.
To contact him, click here.
Credit Michele Coleman Photography
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
History may not teach us but it sure tries to warn us. I write full-length plays about historical events that provide context for today's social issues. I also write plays of various lengths on the experience of older gay men (another sort of history play) and on racism, the enduring stain on our society.
PODCAST INTERVIEW
Don Baker talks with Next Stage Press publisher Gene Kato about his plays Trade With Klan and Grand Dragon in Power.
PRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION HISTORY
COLLECTION
Baker's Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues
Print Publication: Next Stage Press (2023)
FULL LENGTH PLAYS
Trade With Klan:
Onstage World Premiere: Southwest Theatre Productions, Austin, TX (January 17-February 2, 2020)
Print Publication: Next Stage Press (2021)
Grand Dragon in Power:
Online Staged Reading, Panglossian Productions, Williamsburg VA (November 28, 2020)
Onstage and Soundcloud.com Production (Audio Version): Radio Theatre Project at the Studio@620, St. Petersburg FL (March 26, 2019)
Print Publication: Next Stage Press (2022)
MONOLOGUES AND SHORT PLAYS
The Boys Across the Street:
Online Production, Stage Left Theater, Spokane WA (March, 2022)
Reading, “Questioning Queers: A Night of Play Readings,” Keen NH Pride Festival (May, 2023)
Coming Out to Uncle Jake:
Online and Print Publication: Fresh Words: An International Literary Magazine: LAAFTRRRRR, An Anthology of One-Minute Comic Plays Volume I (August, 2023)
The First Time:
Online and Print Publication: Monologues by LGBTQIA+ Writers for LGBTQIA+ Actors (July, 2023)
For a Man Your Age:
Reading: "Coming Out Stories," Readings in Celebration of National Coming Out Day, Brattleboro and Williamsville VT (October, 2025)
I Invited Your Mother for Thanksgiving:
Onstage Production: Chapin Theatre Company, Chapin SC (November, 2022)
Ice Box Cake and the Man from Lima:
Online Production: Stage Left Theater, Spokane WA (October, 2021)
Intestate: A COVID-19 Monologue:
Online Production: Talking Horse Productions, Columbia MO (May 2021).
Onstage Production: Magnolia Arts Center, Greenville NC (February, 2022), where it was voted “audience favorite.”
Online Publication: some scripts literary magazine, Issue 4: “Outbreak” (July, 2021).
Online and Print Publication: Monologues by LGBTQIA+ Writers for LGBTQIA+ Actors (July, 2023)
What Happened This Time:
Online and Print Publication: Fresh Words: An International Literary Magazine: Contemporary One-Minute Plays Volume III (November, 2022)
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