About Howard

Howard Meyer is the founder of Howard Meyer’s Acting Program (in its 26th year) and the founding Artistic Director (emeritus) of Axial Theatre (in its 25th season).Howard has earned recognition for his plays Senescence (2017 semi-finalist), Paint Made Flesh (2015 semi-finalist), and Radiance (a two-time semi-finalist (2011, 2012)) at the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. The production of Radiance featured Obie award-winner Chris McCann. It also received a week-long developmental workshop at The Drama League featuring Lou Liberatore (Tony award nominee, Burn This). WELCOME, This is a Neighborhood Watch Community was presented at Axial Theatre and directed by Drama Desk award-winner, Josh Hecht. The production featured Labyrinth Theater co-founder, David Deblinger, and Emmy-nominated actor, Jon Lindstrom. His play Lost In Paradise is under option for a motion picture. Plays Paint Made Flesh, Maybe Never Fell and Senescence have had readings and workshops at venues including The Lark, Naked Angels, Last Frontier Theatre Conference, ArtsWestchester, and Half Moon Theatre. Paint Made Flesh was workshopped at Steppenwolf in February 2018 and presented in New York City in June 2018 at The Cell directed by Cady McClain. The production was made possible in part by the support of Sotheby’s. His newest play, Capture, was workshopped in October, 2019 at The Denizen Theatre in New Paltz, NY, featuring acclaimed playwright/actor John Peilmeier.Meyer was selected as a “50 for 50” award winner as a part of ArtsWestchester’s 50th anniversary celebration, honoring 50 artists from different disciplines. He was recently honored for his theatre service by the Westchester County Board of Legislators proclaiming April 1, 2019 “Howard Meyer Day” in Westchester County.

What's Happening Now?

Howard's newest play THROUPLE will be having an invited workshop in Manhattan on November 20th, 2024. More details to come. Stay tuned!

Howard is now an acting teacher on the faculty of Michael Howard Studios in New York City.

Howard’s play PAINT MADE FLESH, a semifinalist for the 2016 O’Neill National Playwright’s Conference, was workshopped at Steppenwolf in February 2018 and received its first performances at the Cell Theatre June 2018 directed by Cady McClain featuring Meredith Garretson, Stephen Grush, and David Lanson. It is now under option for a motion picture. http://www.paintmadeflesh.com

CAPTURE was workshopped at the Denizen Theatre (The Hudson Valley’s newest Equity Theatre) on October 21 and 22. There was a public on the 22nd. The reading featured this fabulous cast: John Peilmeier, Meredith Garretson, David Lanson, Diego Vele and Liz D’Ottavio.

Writing Resume

Professional Experience 
Founding Artistic Director of THE AXIAL THEATRE (1999 to present)A Westchester, NY based ensemble, developing and presenting original plays; www.axialtheatre.org(1999 to present)
Program Director and senior teacher of Howard Meyer's Acting Program (1994 to present)A full scale Acting Program offering classes for teenagers and adults in Westchester, NY; www.hmacting.org
Professional Director (1992 to present)Assignments include: Athol Fugard’s Hello and Goodbye (NYC premiere of original text, New York Theatre Workshop, Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre), Craig Wright’s The Pavilion (Playwrights’ Center), Eric Bogosian’s SubUrbia (The Schoolhouse Theatre), Adam Rapp’s Train Story, The Last Delivery, The Seagull, Doll’s House, (all at Axial Theatre), and his plays The Contract, Lost In Paradise, and Cherrie & Jerry (all at Axial Theatre)
Assistant DirectorAthol Fugard, Playland (Manhattan Theatre Club, featuring Kevin Spacey)
Directing MemberUsual Suspects at New York Theatre Workshop (1994-1998).
Member AssociationsLincoln Center Theatre Director's Lab (1995-1996)
PlayProductionDevelopmentYear(s)
THROUPLEPrivate ReadingsAxial Theatre; private readings with David Alan Bashe and Emmy Award winning actress with Alysia Renirer2023,2024
PlayProductionDevelopment 
PAINT MADE FLESHThe Cell Theatre directed by Cady McClainSteppenwolf Theatre, Lark Play Development Center, Last Frontier Theatre ConferenceJune 2018

2016 Semi-Finalist at the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference

PlayProduction 
SENESCENCEStaged Reading at Half Moon Theatre September 2016Scheduled for a production at Axial Theatre, November 2018

2017 Semi-Finalist at the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference

PlayProductionDevelopment
MAYBE NEVER FELLAxial Theatre, November 2016, directed by Jenn HaltmanLark Play Development Center, June 2013 Roundtable Reading, Axial Theatre Play Reading Series
PlayProductionDevelopmentReadings
RADIANCEAxial Theatre, May 2013, directed by Chris GrobowskiNaked Angels Tuesdays at 9, Axial Theatre Play Reading SeriesHudson Valley Writers Center, October 2010

2011 and 2012 Semi-Finalist at the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference,
2012 Finalist for the Hormel New Works Festival at the Phoenix Theatre.

PlayProductionDevelopmentReadings
WELCOME, THIS IS A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH COMMUNITYAxial Theatre, November 2010, directed by Josh HechtNaked Angels Tuesdays at 9, NYC Play Development Collective, Axial Theatre Play Reading SeriesThe Barrow Group, November 2009; Hudson Valley Writers Center, September 2009, Pacific Resident Theatre, January 2012
PlayProductionDevelopment
CHERRIE & JERRYProduction: Axial Theatre, March 2009 
CHERRIESamuel French One-Act Festival, August 2002Axial Theatre Play Reading Series
JERRYHERE Arts Center, November 2003 

Critically acclaimed: Robert Heisler, Gannett

PlayProductionDevelopmentReadings
ANGELBEASTAxial Theatre, May 2008Axial Theatre Play Reading SeriesThe Barrow Group, November 2009

Critically acclaimed: Robert Heisler, Gannett

PlayProductionDevelopment
TWENTYAxial Theatre Ten Minute Play Festival, February 2007Axial Theatre Play Reading Series
PlayProductionDevelopment
LOST IN PARADISEAxial Theatre, May 2006Axial Theatre Play Reading Series

Optioned for motion picture, December 2006

PlayProduction 
THE CONTRACTAxial Theatre, (Created in collaboration with The Axial Theatre Company)November 2005
PlayProduction 
ALL THAT'S FAIRThe Colleen Dewhurst TheatreMarch 2002
PlayProduction
THE KISSThe Colleen Dewhurst Theatre, March 2001
THE KISSThe Schoolhouse Theatre, workshop production, August 2000
PlayProduction
SWIMCommissioned and presented by Barnspace Productions, June and November 1998 (Created in collaboration with teen and young adult actors)

Endorsements

CONTACT HOWARD