Erik Ehn

Erik Ehn (born 1951) is an American playwright, performer, and educator. He is known for his prolific output, often writing hundreds of plays within themed cycles. Ehn's work frequently engages with themes of social justice, historical trauma, religion, and spirituality.

Ehn's theatrical style is highly experimental and incorporates elements of ritual, improvisation, and dream logic. He emphasizes collaboration and often works with diverse communities to create site-specific performances. Many of his plays resist traditional narrative structures, favoring episodic and associative arrangements.

Significant influences on Ehn's work include Antonin Artaud, the Living Theatre, and the Catholic Worker movement. He is deeply interested in the power of theatre to foster empathy and social change.

Ehn is also a prominent figure in theater education. He has taught at numerous universities, including the University of Iowa, Brown University, and California Institute of the Arts. He is known for his innovative pedagogy, which encourages students to explore their own artistic voices and engage with socially relevant themes.

His cycle of plays on American history, known as the Soulographie Cycle, is among his most ambitious and recognized works. This cycle encompasses hundreds of plays exploring different facets of the American experience.