Author Archives: Bill English

Bill English Bill English is Artistic Director and Co-Founder of San Francisco Playhouse, and in twenty years with Susi Damilano, has guided its growth from a bare-bones storefront to the second-largest theater in San Francisco.

‘The Effect’ – A Note from the Artistic Director

‘The Effect’ – A Note from the Artistic Director

Bill English, Artistic Director The inspiration for The Effect came when an actual drug trial conducted by the American pharmaceutical company...

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Non-Player Character | A Note from the Artistic Director

Non-Player Character | A Note from the Artistic Director

We are fascinated and troubled by the collision between our human consciousness and technology. And in plays like First Person Shooter, Wirehead, and...

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‘Born Yesterday’ – A Note from the Artistic Director

‘Born Yesterday’ – A Note from the Artistic Director

Bill English, Artistic Director Why Born Yesterday? Why now? Why this American classic by the great Garson Kanin which served as a vehicle to...

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From the Empathy Gym | Empathy Hurts.

From the Empathy Gym | Empathy Hurts.

Bill English, Artistic Director I’ve spoken a lot about empathy. And about how our theatre is an empathy gym. Where we come to improve our...

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‘A Christmas Story’ – A Note from the Artistic Director

‘A Christmas Story’ – A Note from the Artistic Director

Bill English, Artistic Director Based on Jean Shepherd’s radio broadcasts and collections of anecdotes, the 1983 Bob Clark film has earned an...

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Barbecue | A Note from the Artistic Director

Barbecue | A Note from the Artistic Director

Bill English, Artistic Director As I began looking for the play to open our 15th Season, I hoped to find a work that would speak profoundly to...

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Zenith | A Note from the Artistic Director

Zenith | A Note from the Artistic Director

Bill English, Artistic Director When someone does something inexplicably terrible, those around them—and all of us by extension through the...

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From the Empathy Gym | Doctor, My Eyes

From the Empathy Gym | Doctor, My Eyes

Bill English, Artistic Director I spoke a few weeks ago at the national convention of the ATCA, the American Theatre Critics’ Association. I...

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La Cage aux Folles | A Note from the Artistic Director

La Cage aux Folles | A Note from the Artistic Director

Bill English, Artistic Director Although there have been three wildly successful revivals since, this American musical theatre masterpiece was...

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You Mean to Do Me Harm | A Note from the Artistic Director

You Mean to Do Me Harm | A Note from the Artistic Director

Bill English, Artistic Director We feel deeply honored to have commissioned and now to present the World Premiere of You Mean to Do Me Harm by...

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