Playwriting
I write for the stage to create joy, form connections, and explore big, complicated ideas. I am passionate about the crossover between physical and digital spaces. Here are some of my produced works and what's in-motion. Skip to bio →
Four Sisters Named Blue
A reimagining of H.C. Andersen's original The Little Mermaid, written for adults old and young. This love story centers on the mermaid sisters trying to save the youngest from a terrible choice and her yearning to belong. A coming-of-acceptance story for diverse abilities and disabilities, this play is lyrical, heartfelt, a touch magical, hard-hitting, and has some good laughs. (For 7-24 actors with doubling.)
Semifinalist, Bay Area Playwright's Conference
Illustration by me.
Medusa's Reflection
Perseus is on a quest to kill Medusa, and Medusa is ready for it. She has suffered enough. But wait, heroes can't claim victory without a fight. Maybe there's more to Medusa than meets the eye, if only Perseus could look at her without turning to stone.
Part of Fighting Chance at SAFEhouseARTS in SF
Starring Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor's greatest love affairs and deepest tragedies were closely observed by her producers, the paparazzi, and the world. A play-poem about Liz's early life, formed from verbatim interviews and lines from her films. Co-written with Lara Hillier.
Produced at Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY
Photo by Rachel Philipson.
Hungry
The Phoenix Flower Cafe, deep in the New Mexico desert. A comically dysfunctional, fiercely cruel, and deeply loving family are hungry for change. When a stranger shows up, will they find the magic they’re looking for?
Workshopped at Profile Theatre in Portland, OR
Read at Penguin Rep in Stony Point, NY
Read at Primary Stages / ESPA in NYC
Conceptual design by Stephen Dobay.
Pretend! The Musical
Justine is perfect princess material. However, when her fairy godmother is unable to give her a happily-ever-after, she grows up quickly. "The dreams that you wish do come true", so be careful what you wish for. Co-written with James Rushin.
Workshopped at The Pitch / Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn NY
Workshopped at MTAP / University of Pittsburgh
Workshopped at Carnegie Mellon / Playground in Pittsburgh, PA
The City
Three dreamers act out their hopes and fears in this coming-of-age collection of scenes, music, and poetry. Co-developed with the company (Christine Dwyer, Bethany James, Jamison Daniels, and Kyle Brand), as well as guest composers.
Produced at Sandbox Theatre / Paul Gleason Theatre in LA
Solo shows
I've written a collection of lyrical solo pieces, combining a theme with an element: beauty + water, home + earth, love + fire, wind + loss.
Performed at NYC Fringe Festival
Performed at Allegheny RiverStone Arts in Foxburg, PA
Performed at Garage Theatre Group in Teaneck, NJ
Performed at Perry-Mansfield in Steamboat, CO
Performed at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA
Performed at Idyllwild Arts Academy in CA
Bio
Amy Claussen is a playwright and cross-media writer based in the Washington, DC area. Her plays have been produced at the Hangar Theatre, New York Fringe Festival, SAFEhouseARTS, Garage Theatre Group, Sandbox Theatre, and more. She's had workshops and readings at Profile Theatre, The Pitch @ Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, and Penguin Rep, among others. As a director, she's worked at Berkeley Rep's Ground Floor with Lauren Gunderson and the Hangar Theatre's Pilot Series with Alice Austen, as well as assisted on Nora and Delia Ephron's Love, Loss, and What I Wore. She is the recipient of a Drama League Fellowship in directing. For digital products, she's written for mobile games, including The Sims and Sim City, and she's currently a UX Content Designer at The Washington Post. She loves teaching storytelling across forms (plays, poetry, musicals, games), and she's worked with organizations such as SF Academy of Sciences, Maven Youth, Bethlehem Haven Women's Shelter, and Idyllwild Arts Academy. She holds a BFA in directing from Carnegie Mellon.
