Writing Resources
Samuel Shepard Rogers III born in November 5 1943 and died July 27 2017 Sam was an American playwright actor author screenwriter and director Born in Fort Sheridan Illinois he was named after his father a person he characterized as a drinking man and growing up in a dysfunctional environment is what reflected in his writings for years to come His father was a teacher farmer who served in the US air force as a bomber pilot durning WW2 Jane Elaine was his mother also a teacher and native of Chicago During his high school years Sam began acting and writing Working on the ranch as a teenager Sam decided to study animal husbandry shortly after graduating from high school Not very long after Sam dropped out and joined a theatre that took a stop at his town Bishop s company He hit the road and after almost 2 years of traveling he moved to New York city where a new chapter of his life began Shepard became involved in the off off broadway theatre scene when he got a job as a busboy at village gate nightclub He was introduced to the theatre through the head waiter Ralph Cook who worked at the same nightclub His plays started being staged at places like off off broadway and theatre genesis this was also the time he felt right to change his name to Sam Shepard Sam s initial writing was for stage and during the years of 1966 and 1968 he six Obie awards Winning six awards in the span of 2 years and at such a young age proved him worthy and he was presented the opportunity to screen write Me and my brother 1968 and Zebraiskie Point 1970
