
Nina Faso
Librettist
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Biography
Nina Faso
Nina Faso is an American director, writer, and producer best known for her work as co-adaptor and co-director of the musical Working, created in collaboration with Stephen Schwartz. A longtime advocate for authentic storytelling and ensemble-driven theatre, Faso helped bring Studs Terkel’s 1974 oral history Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do to the stage. Her contributions shaped the musical’s documentary-style structure, preserving the integrity of the real workers’ voices while transforming them into a vibrant, theatrical experience. Faso’s perspective grounded the show in empathy and truth, helping it resonate with audiences as a deeply human portrait of the American labor force.
Before her work on Working, Faso built her career in experimental and socially conscious theatre. She was associated with The Committee, the influential San Francisco improvisational troupe known for its sharp political satire and collaborative process. That background informed her approach to Working, which relied on a collective ensemble rather than traditional lead roles. Faso’s experience with improvisation and character development made her uniquely suited to adapt Terkel’s interviews into compelling stage monologues and interconnected scenes, maintaining the authenticity and diversity of voices that define the piece.
Following the original Broadway production of Working in 1978, Faso remained deeply involved in both theatre and film. She directed and wrote for numerous projects that emphasized community and collaboration, often exploring social issues through character-driven storytelling. When Working was revised in 2012, Faso again joined forces with Stephen Schwartz and director Gordon Greenberg to update the material for a new generation. Together, they incorporated contemporary occupations and added songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, ensuring that the musical continued to reflect the changing face of American labor.
Beyond her theatrical accomplishments, Nina Faso’s work represents a broader commitment to preserving the dignity and complexity of everyday life through art. Her sensitivity to human experience, combined with her skill as an adaptor and collaborator, has left a lasting imprint on documentary-style theatre. Through Working and her broader body of work, Faso has helped bridge the gap between journalism and performance, reminding audiences that every person’s story—no matter their profession—deserves to be heard.
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