Eric Holmes

Eric Holmes is a Visiting Lecturer in Playwriting at Skidmore College, teaching courses such as 'Introduction to Playwriting.' He holds a BA from Arizona State College and an MFA from the University of Iowa’s Playwrights Workshop. His career spans collaborations with Audible, BBC Radio 4, The National Black Theatre, and The Apollo Theatre, emphasizing experimental and socially engaged theater. Holmes’ work explores themes of race, identity, media, and societal issues through plays like Year of the Goat (Afro-surrealist satire), Rapture Season (family thriller), and Mondo Tragic (race and media representation).

His research interests include decentered playwriting (as editor of the anthology Decentered Playwriting) and the intersection of theater with contemporary social justice movements. Notable fellowships include residencies at Space At Ryder Farm and LaGuardia Performing Arts Playwriting Lab. Holmes has been commissioned by institutions like the Apollo New Works and New Black Fest, focusing on racial justice and historical reclamation.

Awards and recognitions highlight his contributions to experimental theater and advocacy. His plays often challenge traditional narratives, blending humor, satire, and dark themes to confront complex realities. Holmes advises students to prioritize authentic collaboration over external validation, emphasizing theater’s role in reflecting societal struggles.

• Awards: Space At Ryder Farm Residency, LaGuardia Performing Arts Participation, Primary Stages’ Dorothy Strelsin Group Membership
• Recent Works: Year of the Goat (2023), Rapture Season (Audible, 2023), Care Inc. (BBC Radio 4, 2018)