Marilyn Seven (born Marilyn Swartz in 1947) was an American playwright, actress, and arts organizer known for her prolific theater work, including plays like “Life Upon the Wicked Stage,” exploring faith and reality, and her activism, notably organizing support for Salman Rushdie; she passed away in 1997 from breast cancer.
Key Aspects of Her Life & Career:
- Early Life & Education: Born March 22, 1947, to an attorney father and actress mother, she attended Vassar College, majoring in Psychology, and later studied philosophy.
- Playwriting: Her first play, “Life Upon the Wicked Stage,” was produced in 1976, leading to a fellowship at the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis.
- Thematic Focus: Seven’s works often delved into spiritual themes and the conflict between faith and harsh realities, tackling philosophical questions like “The Problem of Evil”.
- Activism: She was a dedicated community organizer, notably mobilizing the Twin Cities arts scene to support Salman Rushdie in 1989.
- Career Scope: She had over 20 plays produced across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK, and was also an actress.
- Personal Life: She married actor Richard B. Shull, and they divorced in 1985, though they collaborated on projects.
- Passing: Marilyn Seven died from breast cancer on May 15, 1997, at the age of 50.
please thank Jerry Morse for compiling this information
Vassar College Playwriting Award named in honor of Marilyn