Topher Payne

Payne was raised in Kosciusko, Mississippi, and attended the Idyllwild Arts Academy in California.{{cite web|last=Cahoon |first=Margaret |url=http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2006/may/31/no-payne-no-gain/ |title=No Payne, No Gain | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS |publisher=Jackson Free Press |date=2006-05-31 |accessdate=2015-12-13}} He completed the tenth grade but dropped out to pursue a professional career. In an interview with ArtsATL, Payne explained, "I was a terrible student, unless it was something that I could see the end result from, and I could understand what the process was working toward and the benefit that I would receive from that—in that jerky way that teenagers think they know everything." He returned to Mississippi at age 17 and began working with New Stage Theatre in Jackson. "I had long arms and I wasn't afraid of heights and I became the electric intern. Then they had space with enough room to put in platforms. I asked for permission to put up one of my shows after the main stage show, and that worked."{{cite web|title=Topher Payne on a perfect arrangement|url=http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/theater/2013/06/10/topher-payne-on-a-perfect-arrangement-at-source|accessdate=December 11, 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222101046/http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/theater/2013/06/10/topher-payne-on-a-perfect-arrangement-at-source|archivedate=December 22, 2015}}

Topher Payne relocated to Atlanta in 1999 and quickly became known for a "near-constant output of broadly appealing plays," building "a faithful core of local fans for his clever, zingy Southern comedies."{{cite web|last=Levesque |first=Fred |url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-181231-theater-review---topher-payne-is-getting |title=Topher Payne is getting angry |website=Clatl.com |date= |access-date=2015-12-13}} He has premiered 13 full-length plays at Georgia theaters since 2009. He lists among his influences fellow Mississippi-native writers Ida Bell Wells, Eudora Welty, Beth Henley, and Richard Wright.{{cite web|url=http://www.msarts.org/index.cfm/artist-highlights/artist-highlight-topher-payne1/ |title=Topher Payne - Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Center |website=Msarts.org |date=2013-11-21 |accessdate=2015-12-13}} His emphasis as a playwright is on comedy, believing that laughter is crucial for audience engagement. As he explained to Backstage Magazine in 2015, "If you can make someone laugh, they listen. And they lean in and they want to hear more. And once you have that level of engagement, then you can start layering in a message that you want them to take away. You can do that in film. You can do that in a book. But the act of being in the same room with the storyteller is just fundamentally different. It lands differently."{{cite web|last=Lin |first=Jaime |url=http://www.backstage.com/interview/playwright-topher-payne-discusses-his-upcoming-perfect-arrangement/ |title=Playwright Topher Payne Discusses His Upcoming 'Perfect Arrangement' | Backstage Actor Interviews | Acting Tips & Career Advice |publisher=Backstage |date=2015-08-25 |accessdate=2015-12-13}}

In 2013, after being named Best Local Playwright for several consecutive years in a wide range of publications including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Creative Loafing, The Sunday Paper, and The GA Voice, Payne's work began to be produced in other American cities. His play Perfect Arrangement premiered at the Source Festival in Washington DC,{{cite web|last=Sheir |first=Rebecca |url=http://wamu.org/programs/metro_connection/13/05/31/a_perfect_arrangement_in_an_era_of_secrets |title=A 'Perfect Arrangement' In An Era Of Secrets | WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio |website=Wamu.org |date=2013-05-31 |accessdate=2015-12-13}} followed by productions in Louisville, Kentucky,{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/louisville/article/Pandora-Productions-to-Present-PERFECT-ARRANGEMENT-20141104 |title=Pandora Productions to Present PERFECT ARRANGEMENT |website=Broadwayworld.com |date= |accessdate=2015-12-13}} Atlanta,{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.artsatl.com/2014/09/review-topher-payne-perfect-arrangement/ |title=Review: Topher Payne's "Perfect Arrangement" perfectly evokes the fifties' "Pink Scare" |publisher=ArtsATL |date=2014-09-17 |accessdate=2015-12-13}} and Anchorage, Alaska.{{cite web|last=Hillman |first=Anne |url=http://www.alaskapublic.org/2015/03/18/out-north-re-opens-with-a-perfect-arrangement/ |title=Out North Re-opens with "A Perfect Arrangement" | Alaska Public Media |website=Alaskapublic.org |date=2015-03-18 |accessdate=2015-12-13}} In 2015, his play Angry Fags was produced by Pride Films and Plays at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago,{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/chicago/theater/angry-fags |title=Angry Fags | Theater in Chicago |website=Timeout.com |date=2015-03-23 |accessdate=2015-12-13}} and Perfect Arrangement made its début Off-Broadway, produced by Primary Stages.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/theater/exploring-the-cold-war-history-behind-perfect-arrangement.html?_r=0|title=Exploring the Cold War History Behind Perfect Arrangement|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 October 2015 |accessdate=2015-12-13|last1=Collins-Hughes |first1=Laura }}

In a 2015 interview with WABE in Atlanta, director Shannon Eubanks described his writing: "Topher writes funny. And his rhythms, if you obey those rhythms, you get to a comedic payoff. But you also get to, if you honor them, to an internal emotional sense."{{cite web|url=http://news.wabe.org/post/atlanta-playwright-topher-payne-comes-home-holidays |title=Atlanta Playwright Topher Payne Comes Home For The Holidays | WABE 90.1 FM |website=News.wabe.org |date=2015-12-03 |accessdate=2015-12-13}}

Plays (and original producer)

• Morningside (2017) at Georgia Ensemble Theatre{{cite web|url=http://artsatl.com/review-topher-paynes-morningside-hilarious-insightful-modern-motherhood//|title=Topher Payne's "Morningside" a hilarious take on modern motherhood|date=1 November 2017|publisher=}}
• Greetings Friend Your Kind Assistance Is Required (2017) at Georgia Ensemble Theatre{{cite web|url=http://artsatl.com/review-topher-paynes-uneven-warmly-engaging-greetings-lets-loose-comedic-chops/|title=Topher Payne's uneven, engaging "Greetings" lets loose comedic chops|date=11 January 2017|publisher=}}
• Let Nothing You Dismay (2015) at Stage Door Players{{cite web|url=https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2012/02/23/12-angry-men-thursday-march-1/|title=Theatre Review: 'Let Nothing You Dismay' at Stage Door Players|publisher=Atlanta INtown Paper|date=2015-12-09|access-date=2015-12-13}}
• The Only Light in Reno (2014) at Georgia Ensemble Theatre{{cite web|url=http://www.artsatl.com/2014/01/review-topher-payne-finds-brightest-lights-reno-georgia-ensemble|title=Review: Playwright Topher Payne turns on The Only Light in Reno at Georgia Ensemble|publisher=ArtsATL|accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Perfect Arrangement (2013) at The Source Festival{{cite news|last=Goldstein|first=Jessica|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/backstage-topher-payne-has-a-perfect-arrangement-for-a-hot-issue/2013/07/02/662fc7d8-e334-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_story.html|title=Backstage: Topher Payne has a 'Perfect Arrangement' for a hot issue|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2013-07-02|accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Angry Fags (2013) at 7 Stages
• Swell Party (2013) at Georgia Ensemble Theatre{{cite web|author=Wendell Brock|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/entertainment/theater-review-swell-night-for-an-inquest/nTxWr|title=Theater review: 'Swell' night for an inquest|website=Ajc.com|date=2013-01-16|accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Lakebottom Prime (2013) at Springer Opera House{{cite web|url=http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/latest-news/article29296072.html|title="Lakebottom Prime" is worth your time and money|website=ledger-enquirer.com|date=2013-05-16|accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Evelyn in Purgatory (2012) at Essential Theatre{{cite web|url=http://www.artsatl.com/2012/07/review-topher-payne-creates-characters-worth-caring-%E2%80%9Cevelyn-purgatory%E2%80%9D|title=Review: In comedy-drama "Evelyn in Purgatory", Topher Payne gives us characters worth caring about|publisher=ArtsATL|date=2012-07-06|accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Tokens of Affection (2011) at Georgia Ensemble Theatre{{cite web|last=Levesque|first=Fred|url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-181181-theater-review---topher-payne-makes-token-attempt-to-comprehend|title=Topher Payne makes Token attempt to comprehend marriage|website=Clatl.com|access-date=2015-12-13}}
• Lakebottom Proper (2011) at Springer Opera House{{cite web|url=http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/living/article29184112.html|title=A 'Proper' look at Columbus: Springer Opera House presents 'Lakebottom Proper'|website=Ledger-enquirer.com|date=2011-05-05|accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Christina Darling (2010) at Process Theatre
• Above the Fold and Don't Look at the Fat Lady (2009) at Process Theatre{{cite web|url=http://www.theprocesstheatre.org/archives/FATLADYFOLDinfo.html|title=REP release|website=Theprocesstheatre.org|date=2008-09-07|accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• The Medicine Showdown (with Adam Koplan; 2009) at Flying Carpet Theatre{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/Flying-Carpet-Theatres-MEDICINE-SHOWDOWN-to-Begin-1012-at-the-East-4th-Street-Theatre-20131017|title=Flying Carpet Theatre's MEDICINE SHOWDOWN to Begin 10/12 at the East 4th Street Theatre|website=Broadwayworld.com|accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• The Attala County Garden Club (2006) at OnStage Atlanta{{cite web|last=Levesque|first=Fred|url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-180889-theater-review---grace-under-fire|title=Grace under fire|website=Clatl.com|access-date=2015-12-13}}
• Relations Unknown (2005) at Process Theatre{{cite web|last=Levesque|first=Fred|url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-180896-theater-review---trying-to-relate|title=Trying to relate|website=Clatl.com|access-date=2015-12-13}}
• Beached Wails (2002) at Atlanta Classical Theatre{{cite web|last=Levesque|first=Fred|url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-180602-theater-review---wailing-wall|title=Wailing wall|website=Clatl.com|access-date=2015-12-13}}

Television

• Cherished Memories: A Gift to Remember 2 (2019)
• Rome in Love (2019){{cite web|url=https://www.wabe.org/topher-payne-discusses-his-new-shows-rome-in-love-and-entertaining-lesbians//|title=Topher Payne Discusses His New Shows 'Rome in Love' and 'Entertaining Lesbians' - 90.1 FM WABE|date=30 July 2019|publisher=}}
• A Gift to Remember (2017){{cite web|url=https://www.wabe.org/atlanta-screenwriter-topher-payne-gives-gift-remember/|title=Atlanta Screenwriter Topher Payne Gives 'Gift To Remember' - 90.1 FM WABE|date=22 November 2017|publisher=}}
• Broadcasting Christmas (2016){{cite web|url=http://www.fox5atlanta.com/good-day/atlanta-writer-pens-hallmark-christmas-movie|title=Atlanta writer pens Hallmark Christmas movie|last=FOX|date=December 2016 |publisher=}}
• My Summer Prince (2016)

• Funny Story: The Incomplete Works of Topher Payne an audiobook of collected works{{cite web|last=Alexander |first=Andrew |url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-204440-critic-s-notebook-topher-payne-has-a-funny |title=Critic's Notebook: Topher Payne has a 'Funny Story' |website=Clatl.com |date=2014-09-17 |access-date=2015-12-13}}
• Necessary Luxuries: Notes on a Semi-Fabulous Life a collection of his columns from David Magazine{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantaintownpaper.com/features/November2008/Books.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110540/http://www.atlantaintownpaper.com/features/November2008/Books.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |title=Atlanta Intown Newspaper |website=Atlantaintownpaper.com |date= |accessdate=2015-12-13}}

• The Georgia Theatre Hall of Fame (2018){{cite web|url=http://georgiatheatreweb.wixsite.com/gtc-website/gtc-hall-of-fame |title=GTC Hall of Fame |accessdate=5 May 2020}}
• The Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award: Greetings Friend Your Kind Assistance Is Required (2017){{cite web|url=http://artsatl.com/news-aurora-theatres-madison-county-wabes-lois-reitzes-honored-suzi-bass-awards/|title=Aurora's "Madison County," WABE's Lois Reitzes receive Suzi Awards|date=7 November 2017|publisher=}}
• Lambda Literary Award Finalist, LGBTQ Drama: Perfect Arrangement (2017){{cite web|url=http://www.lambdaliterary.org/features/news/03/14/29th-annual-lambda-literary-award-finalists-announced/|title=29th Annual Lambda Literary Award Finalists Announced|first=Edit|last=Team|date=14 March 2017|publisher=}}
• The Suzi Bass Award, Outstanding World Premiere: Let Nothing You Dismay (2016){{cite web|url=http://www.artsatl.com/news-serenbe-aurora-alliance-emerge-big-winners-suzi-bass-awards|title=The Suzi Bass Awards recognize the best in Atlanta theater|date=8 November 2016|publisher=}}
• The Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award: Perfect Arrangement (2015){{cite web|author= |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/atlanta/article/TUCK-EVERLASTING-Wins-Big-at-Atlantas-2015-Suzi-Bass-Awards-More-Winners-Announced-20151103 |title=TUCK EVERLASTING Wins Big at Atlanta's 2015 Suzi Bass Awards; More Winners Announced |website=Broadwayworld.com |date=2015-11-02 |accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Metro Atlanta Theatre Award, Best Play: Perfect Arrangement (2015){{cite web|url=http://matawards.com/awards-ceremony/winners/ |title=Winners |publisher=The MAT Awards |date= |accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• American Theatre Critics Association M. Elizabeth Osborn Award: Perfect Arrangement (2014){{cite web|author= |url=http://americantheatrecritics.org/homepublic/2014/3/14/topher-payne-wins-2014-osborn-award.html |title=American Theatre Critics Association - ATCA Home - Topher Payne wins 2014 Osborn Award |website=Americantheatrecritics.org |date=2014-03-14 |accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Honorable Mention, Arch & Bruce Brown Foundation: Perfect Arrangement (2013){{cite web|url=http://aabbfoundation.org/archives/date/2013/11 |title=November, 2013 | Arch & Bruce Brown Foundation |website=Aabbfoundation.org |date=2013-10-20 |accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• The Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award: Angry Fags (2013){{cite web|author= |url=http://www.artsatl.com/2013/11/les-miserables-time-stands-still-topher-payne-stand-2013-suzi-bass-awards/ |title="Les Miserables," "Time Stands Still" and Topher Payne stand out in 2013 Suzi Bass Awards |publisher=ArtsATL |date=2013-11-05 |accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Essential Theatre Playwriting Award: Evelyn in Purgatory (2012){{cite web|url=http://www.essentialtheatre.com/playwriting-competition/previous-playwriting-competition-winners/ |title=Previous Playwriting Competition Winners |publisher=Essential Theatre |date=2014-06-20 |accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Grand Marshal, Atlanta Pride Parade (2011){{cite web|url=http://atlantapride.org/category/atlanta-pride-2011/ |title=2011 Archives |publisher=Atlanta Pride |date= |accessdate=2015-12-13}}
• Metro Atlanta Theatre Award, Best Original Work: Above the Fold (2009){{cite web|url=http://matawards.com/awards-ceremony/winners/2009_nomineeswithwinners/ |title=2009 MAT Award Winners and Nominees |publisher=The MAT Awards |date= |accessdate=2015-12-13}}

Payne served as Grand Marshal of the Atlanta Pride parade in 2011.

Payne married his husband, Tommy, in a 2009 ceremony in Massachusetts. The couple announced their separation in 2014. In a column for The GA Voice, Payne wrote about the challenge of ending a marriage in a state where the union was not legally recognized: "Despite what the State of Georgia may claim, this has been a real marriage in every possible sense...Divorce is the ugly element of the marriage equality conversation. We're far more hesitant to discuss it—I know I certainly was. It's embarrassing. It sounds like failure. We fear it will somehow weaken our argument if we acknowledge same-sex couples will be contributing to America's divorce statistics."{{cite web|url=http://thegavoice.com/topher-payne-seeking-conclude-marriage-respect-deserves/ |title=Topher Payne: Seeking to conclude our marriage with the respect it deserves - LGBT Georgia | Gay Georgia | Gay Atlanta | LGBT Atlanta |website=Thegavoice.com |date=2014-05-22 |accessdate=2015-12-13}}

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Category:Living people

Category:People from Kosciusko, Mississippi

Category:LGBTQ people from Mississippi

Category:1979 births

Category:21st-century American dramatists and playwrights

Category:American gay writers

Category:American LGBTQ dramatists and playwrights

Category:American male dramatists and playwrights

Category:Writers from Mississippi

Category:21st-century American male writers

Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people