Laura Hedli

My Story

I am thrilled to run on behalf of Playwrights Horizons and support live theater — my first love and favorite art form. What’s even more exciting is that I get to run for a theater dedicated to playwrights. A writer myself, I know what a gift it is to have an artistic home and champions of one’s work and vision.

As a longstanding Playwrights Horizons audience member and former theater reporter who wrote about Playwrights shows in the early 2010s, I have discovered some of my favorite contemporary voices here, including Annie Baker, Sarah Ruhl, and Michael R. Jackson. This too is the same theater where Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine’s “Sunday in the Park with George” premiered in the ‘80s (before I was even born)! Even though I live in the Bay Area now, I am always checking to see what’s playing at Playwrights when I’m back in New York.

Being “cast” as a runner on Team Playwrights Horizons is an honor, especially because this year marks the team’s debut at the TCS NYC Marathon. I am running to advance the theater’s mission of uplifting great storytellers through the development and production of new works. Donations will go where the need is, whether that’s to support a table read for an act 2 rewrite, or healthcare coverage for the artists in residence.

A wise director once told me: “We come to the theater to be reminded of what it feels like to be alive.” I feel similarly about running the NYC Marathon. This will be my first marathon. While I’ve run many shorter-distance races, this is the only full marathon I’ve ever really had any interest in participating in. With over 50,000 runners, over 2 million spectators, the energy coursing through 26.2 miles that span all 5 boroughs — I can’t wait to experience it.

Thank you for supporting me and the humanity inherent in the creation and reception of live theater. ♥️