Charlotte Chorpenning

Charlotte B. Chorpenning (1873–1955) was a children's playwright. When she was 60 years old, after her husband died, she began writing plays for children.[1] She was also the artistic director of the children's theatre at the Goodman Theater in Chicago, and remains the most produced playwright in Goodman history.[2] She adapted many famous fairy and folktales. She believed that children would come to see plays about characters they knew already. She also strongly believed that plays should not talk down to children, and that children should be able to identify with the lead.[3] Chorpenning described her writing and directing process in her book, Twenty-One Years With Children's Theatre, published in 1954.

Chorpenning studied at Radcliffe College.[4] From about 1915-1919 she was a playwright in residence in Winona, Minnesota organizations.[5]

Chorpenning wrote adaptations of many stories and many of these plays remain in print. One play in particular is out of print: an adaptation of Helen Bannerman's Little Black Sambo and, according to Jodi Van Der Horn-Gibson, aside from some unflattering stereotypical names and the same confusion Bannerman had with regard to the difference between India and Africa, the play is a non-offensive version of the story.[6]

Chorpenning died on January 7, 1955, at her home in Warwick, NY. The obituary published in the Educational Theatre Journal stated "The American theatre is indebted to her for her skill as a playwright, her ability as a teacher, her strength as a leader, and her humanity as a friend."[7]

The American Alliance for Theatre and Education awards the Charlotte B. Chorpenning Award for the body of work of a children's playwright.[8] Award recipients include Doug Cooney (2010), Barry Kornhauser (2009), James DeVita (2007), and Aurand Harris (1985 and 1967).