M. D. schaffer (They/He) is an award-winning, Non-Binary, Ashkenazi, African-American playwright, librettist, lyricist, and Horror scholar. They evoke American history, embodying historical and scientific facts to ground narratives that explore, uplift, and empower marginalized experiences in contemporary times. Their previous productions include “A Rodeo Clown” with the Obsidian Theatre Festival & “Drapetomania: A Negro Carol” with the We Will Dream Festival. Their dramatic works have been developed in collaboration with Art House Productions, Lighthouse Ladies LLC, National Queer Theatre, New Jersey Play Lab, Tier5 Theatre Company, The Classical Theatre of Harlem, and the Obie Award-winning Harlem9 Inc. Their work as a lyricist has been performed at Rattlestick Theater, 54 Below, and...
M. D. schaffer (They/He) is an award-winning, Non-Binary, Ashkenazi, African-American playwright, librettist, lyricist, and Horror scholar. They evoke American history, embodying historical and scientific facts to ground narratives that explore, uplift, and empower marginalized experiences in contemporary times. Their previous productions include “A Rodeo Clown” with the Obsidian Theatre Festival & “Drapetomania: A Negro Carol” with the We Will Dream Festival. Their dramatic works have been developed in collaboration with Art House Productions, Lighthouse Ladies LLC, National Queer Theatre, New Jersey Play Lab, Tier5 Theatre Company, The Classical Theatre of Harlem, and the Obie Award-winning Harlem9 Inc. Their work as a lyricist has been performed at Rattlestick Theater, 54 Below, and Musical Theater Factory. They’re a member of Ring of Keys, MUSE, Dramatist Guild, MAESTRA, & UNTITLED Musical Theatre Writers Group. They’re a 2023 recipient of the Pine Meadow Ranch for Arts & Agriculture Residency program with Roundhouse Foundation, a recipient of the 2025-2026 OPEN AIR MT Residency.