M. D. Schaffer (He/They) is a Non-Binary, Ashkenazi, African American writer, choreographer, librettist, and lyricist born in Houston, Texas, and residing in New York City. Their previous works include Southern Seeds: An Americana Story with the Ensemble Theatre’s New Voices Fest, The Last Days of Victor Greymore with Emerging Artist Festival, A Rodeo Clown with the Obsidian Theatre Festival, & Drapteomania: A Negro Carol with the We Will Dream Festival. Additionally, they are a 2023 recipient for the Pine Meadow Ranch for Arts & Agriculture Residency program with Roundhouse Foundation. They are a proud alumni of the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at New York University - Tisch. Their works examine the relationship between Americana historical romanticism and contemporary American reality.
Plays
Welcome to the 3rd Annual Bimbo Summit! Created by Bodhi Baby, a young Zen Buddhism teacher, this Bimbo-themed Buddhist retreat explores the intersection between new Western progressive ideals and the Eastern religion. The group will partake in sessions asking them to let go of external stressors and trauma through meditation, dialogue, and physical activity. However, when discussions around privilege, appropriation, and accountability are brought into focus, our Bimbo Buddhists realize that sometimes letting go isn’t so easy. With insecurities here and a dash of pink there, they’ll explore whether change is possible in a world that seems to resist change.
Successes
The Workshop Theatre’s Spring 2023 Workshop Intensive - 2023
Pine Meadow Ranch for Arts & Agriculture Residency - 2023
Harlem9's "48 Hours in Harlem" - 2023
"Drapetomania: A Negrol Carol" – We Will Dream: New Works Fest - 2023
"Southern Seeds" – The Ensemble Theatre: New Voices Fest - 2022
"A Rodeo Clown" – Obsidian Theatre Festival - 2022