John Maclay

John Maclay is a half-time Senior Lecturer in English at North Central College. He has over 25 years of university teaching experience alongside a thriving career as a playwright, adaptor, and lyricist. His works include acclaimed plays and musicals such as Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium, Hopper (performed at the 2023 Tony Award-winning Pasadena Playhouse), and Lilly and the Pirates. He also authored the web series The Quest for Solomon’s Treasure and a recent short story published in Jokes Literary Review.

Maintaining strong industry ties, Maclay serves as Playwright in Residence at First Stage in Milwaukee, one of the nation’s leading theaters for young audiences. His current project is a musical adaptation of Phillis Root’s Lilly and the Pirates, co-authored with Pulitzer finalist Will Eno. He has previously taught at Carthage College, UW-Milwaukee, and other institutions, and is a member of Actors Equity and the Dramatist Guild.