Don Zolidis

Don Zolidis is a decorated American playwright, young-adult novelist, and former teacher whose witty, genre-spanning works have achieved extraordinary reach. A proud Wisconsin native, he earned his B.A. in English from Carleton College and went on to complete an M.F.A. in playwriting at the Actor’s Studio Drama School at The New School  . Initially inspired by childhood daydreaming and satirical writing in school, he discovered a deep passion for storytelling.

Before transitioning to full-time writing, Zolidis spent several years as a middle and high‑school theatre teacher—a career that gave him invaluable insight into crafting plays for teens. This background informs his nuanced approach: he writes for youth without condescension, tackling themes like death, mental health, and social issues with honesty and sophistication. He treats young performers and audiences with the respect they deserve, trusting them to engage with complex topics.

As a playwright, Zolidis holds the rare distinction of being one of the most-produced authors in American school theatre. With well over 150 plays—including “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse,” and “How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery”—his works have been staged hundreds of thousands of times by middle and high school students across the U.S. and more than 60 countries worldwide.

Beyond the stage, Zolidis has also made his mark in young-adult literature. His first novel, The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig (A Love Story), was published in 2018 by Disney‑Hyperion, followed by War and Speech in 2020 via Little, Brown. These novels echo his playwriting ethos: layered storytelling that respects its teenage readers. He continues to split his time between Texas and upstate New York, where he lives with his partner and two young sons.

Zolidis’s talent has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2004 Princess Grace Award; in 2013, his play White Buffalo was even nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He’s also received Edgerton New Play awards, NEA grants, and secured an exclusive first-look deal with Broadway Licensing. Today, his work continues to inspire young actors and educators, fostering empathy, creativity, and bold storytelling across the globe.