Best American Playwrights | Top 10 American Playwrights

Best American Playwrights

Written by on | Best Of / Lists Playwrights

American playwrights have made some of the most significant contributions to theatre. A number of the greatest playwright of all time are American, and so we thought it appropriate to make a list of the best American Playwrights. As always, creating a subjective ‘best of’ list is difficult, however, this is our pick of best American playwrights. You can learn more about any of the playwrights by clicking on their name.

Please let us know what you think of our list below…

Top 10 American Playwrights


Other Great American Playwrights

Neil LaBute (Fat Pig)
David Rabe (In the Boom Boom Room)
T.S. Eliot (The Cocktail Party)
Lorraine Hansberry (A Raisin in the Sun)
James Goldman (The Lion in Winter)
John Patrick Shanley (Doubt)
Tracy Letts (August: Osage County)

About the Author

StageMilk Team

is made up of professional actors, acting coaches and writers from around the world. This team includes Andrew, Alex, Emma, Jake, Jake, Indiana, Patrick and more. We all work together to contribute useful articles and resources for actors at all stages in their careers.

8 responses to “Best American Playwrights”

  1. Avatar Matt Higgs says:

    Hi Guys, just noticed that on this page https://www.stagemilk.com/best-american-playwrights/ Eugene O’Neill’s plays are listed under David Mamet too.

    cheers …. Matt

  2. Avatar Roy Chefets says:

    There is a mistake for number 8.

  3. Samuel Samuel says:

    Thanks guys, page has been updated!

  4. Avatar Kristin Clippard says:

    I am disappointed to see there are not more female playwrights on your lists.

    • Avatar Bill says:

      You’re disappointed to see there are not more female playwrights on the lists are you? Well maybe you should carry the torch and write several plays as good as these gentleman listed above.

      • Avatar Lucy says:

        If you think there is not a list of female playwrights who are just as talented and accomplished as the men above, you aren’t reading enough and your misogyny is showing.

  5. Avatar Steven Horwich says:

    Maxwell Anderson, more productive, more versatile, more ambitious than Miller or Williams. George S. Kaufman, again, at least as versatile and interesting as Neil Simon, I think more so.

  6. Avatar Lisa says:

    Why isn’t Wendy Wasserstein on this list?

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