Writer Lawrence Cohen Inspires Students at the College of the Arts

Lawrence Cohen, acclaimed screenwriter and playwright, brought College of the Arts students a hefty dose of inspiration with his visit.

Cohen, author of the screenplay Carrie and the book of the musical by the same name, recently presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance, came to campus to discuss his lengthy career after a screening of the 1976 film that he adapted from Stephen King’s best selling novel. Susan Sokol led the post-screening discussion.

With charm and exuberance, Cohen shared how he became a script reader and discovered an early manuscript of Carrie, advocated for its publication and then through a series of coincidences became the title’s screenwriter. Throughout the post-screen discussion, Cohen answered questions from Musical Theatre students and Film students alike. He encouraged them to do what they love, but be open to unexpected opportunities.

Cohen moved to New York to be a theatre reviewer, but found himself working for director Michael Bennet and producer David Susskind.  A common thread throughout his talk was his passion for storytelling. He still continues a friendship with Stephen King, and he told the audience that he wrote the screenplay for an audience of one- Carrie‘s original author.

After the post-screening talk back, Cohen attended The Department of Theatre and Dance’s production of Carrie, directed by Matt Williams with choreography by faculty member Kim Whittam. Cohen addressed the cast and audience after the show, expressing his gratitude for such a thoughtful and rousing production. He thanked the cast and crew for remaining faithful to his intentions to tell the story not only of Carrie, but the effect her experience had on the community.

To find out more about the BFA in Musical Theatre go to: http://www.montclair.edu/academics/musical-theatre/