Testimonials
“Philip Middleton Williams’s preeminent talent is writing engaging stories with three-dimensional characters audiences will care about. They are completely believable as down-to-earth, complex, flawed human beings attempting to work through complicated relationships with people they love. That process may be difficult, but Williams always leaves them—and us—with hope for their future growth and happiness.” - Donald E. Baker, playwright.
“Philip Middleton Williams was inspirational to me when I started as a playwright. He is prolific, supportive, open, and writes with a specific point of view that draws the reader in, as well as a passion for his characters. His pieces are relatable, full of snappy dialogue and human foibles, and he has created his own universe, as many of his scripts feature recurring themes, characters, or crossovers. Dive into his work and you’ll be intrigued.” - DC Cathro, playwright.
"Philip Middleton Williams's work transports the audience along the shoulders of busy highways in New Mexico populated by fugitives as well as the equally dangerous emotional territory that can be found among the denizens of suburban South Florida. His work will also bring you face to face with the minefields of heartbreak that exist within first loves and the further loves of our lives. As such, his plays speak to the universal notion of what it means to be human, wherever his stories may be set and whomever the characters end up being in love with by the final words of "end of play". - Josh Paolino, screen and TV writer.
“The first Philip Middleton Williams play I ever encountered was his short ‘A Moment of Clarity.’ I've seen and read many, many ten-minute plays but I don't think any other has ever hit me quite as hard as that one. It's what Philip does best. He writes about real people in real relationships dealing with real life.” - Rand Higbee, playwright.
“Philip is a special kind of talent. His insight into character and development is on par with any current playwright you might find. But that’s not all. Philip shows a commitment to his stories that never take the easy route and allow for the audience to experience a kind of sincerity that can often be lost in a less experienced playwright’s hands. His work is emotional, real, profound, and at times, simply exquisite. He is a powerhouse.” - Darrin J. Friedman, playwright/screenwriter.
“In Philip Middleton Williams’ plays, the past is never the past. Whether its one family's decades-long saga, or the revisiting of long-dead loves, or the exposure of decades-old secrets, in Williams' hands, memory always comes back for his characters -- sometimes to torment, sometimes to avenge, often to comfort. Echoes of Inge abound in his rueful sense of humor and melancholy, but with a distinctly 21st-century worldview and bite.” - Vince Gatton, playwright/actor.
“If there is one underlying element of Philip Middleton Williams's work, it is compassion. Compassion for individuals. Compassion for community. Compassion for one's souls. In collaborating with Philip on several projects now, I can without hesitation say he is one of my favorite collaborators and writers. Few come at their work with the authentic presence of honesty and heart that Philip does. The spirit and emotion placed in every page is a director's dream; clear and without manipulation. What makes Philip's work so poignant, why his world becomes so connected to an observing audience, is that he isn't trying to twist your mind but give you worlds exactly how they are. It's a gift for any collaborator to have and an even bigger joy to see on the stage. Philip always strives for what is pure, connected, and honest. What better traits can you ask for in a playwright?” - Cody Goulder, director, playwright, producer.
“Philip Middleton Williams can and does write it all. Comedy, drama, farce - no genre left unturned, and to our benefit. He writes with great expertise, craft, and compassion for his characters and his audience. I've had the good luck to see many of his plays performed and know that if a script has his name on it, it's well worth my time. I highly recommend the oeuvre of Philip Middleton Williams - the name alone deserves to be on a marquee.” - Arianna Rose, dramatist, South Florida Ambassador for the Dramatists Guild.
“Generosity of spirit. Philip Middleton Williams possesses this in abundance both as a writer and a person. He bestows this grace upon his characters, many inspired by people in his life, embracing their flaws without judgement while celebrating and challenging their virtues. Masterful with environment and atmosphere, his stories transport us to small towns, desert landscapes, posh resorts, hunting blinds… even the Millennium Falcon! As a collaborator, he is supportive, insightful, and receptive. He wants everyone, including himself, to create the best stories, art, and friendships we can. What’s more generous than that? - Scott C. Sickles, Playwright • Scriptwriter
"I've had the pleasure of producing and acting in ‘A Moment of Clarity’ twice, as well as ‘Last Exit’ virtually. ‘A Moment of Clarity’ was performed at a theatre event in Santa Fe and became a festival favorite. Philip's style of writing direct, real characters without pretense or artifice is a dream for the actor and director to take on. By doing so he gets to the cold, hard truth about human relationships with a rare, warm humanity that avoids sentimentality." - Aaron Leventman, M.F.A., Playwright, Actor, Producer, Curator and Educator.
The work of Philip Middleton Williams should be on the required reading list when every young gay man comes out. What I love about Philip's work is that many of the pieces feel like authentic slices of life as he knows it. He doesn't shy away from the full breadth of human emotion and wields it exceptionally in human drama, comic beats, and social commentary. His stories are grounded in realism and grab an audience's attention every step of the way. - Peter Fenton (he/him), Writer and Producer of Film and Theatre.
I've had the privilege and pleasure of directing four of Philip Middleton Williams' plays, acting in two, and providing feedback on drafts of others. I have so much admiration for his creativity and writing, and he's very prolific while maintaining high style and quality. His characters and situations are real and very human. His dialog is sharp, and the range of emotions goes from humorous to dramatic to poignant. Additionally, he is a great collaborator, always willing to participate in and perform rewrites during the development and rehearsal processes. And he's a tremendously nice guy, who I count as a friend. All theatre companies should read his works and present productions. I've always witnessed tremendous audience response to all of the shows he's written. - Jerry K. Jensen.
“Philip's plays are intelligent and humorous, sweet and to the point. They are filled with characters who elicit recognition and empathy. They match their author nicely.” - Dawson Moore, Coordinator, Valdez Theatre Conference.
Philip's work never fails to plumb some of the deepest, sometimes most uncomfortable, parts of the human experience. Whether he is exploring family bonds (those we've been born with or those we have chosen), the struggles of addiction, or loves lost and found, Philip's dialogue cuts to the quick and forces us to examine our own lives and relationships with its keen insight. - Eric C. Webb (Playwright / Director Creative Development, The TheaterMakers Studio)
“Philip Middleton Williams is, simply stated, one of the best writers of American Realism working in the theatre today. He is the inheritor of a style codified and perfected by the likes of William Inge, Lanford Wilson, and Horton Foote. I use his play All Together Now in my dramatic writing classes, and it is one of the best plays I’ve read to date.” – John Patrick Bray (PhD, MFA), playwright, independent screenwriter, anthology editor and associate professor at the University of Georgia.
Philip Middleton Williams is a master of crafting captivating scenarios across a broad spectrum of styles and lengths. He approaches his craft with an inclusive and encouraging spirit, letting the worlds he creates emerge before us. His writing is marked by a distinctive perspective that enthralls readers, coupled with a deep-seated affection for his characters. The breadth of his knowledge and the richness of his personal experiences shine through in his creations. Furthermore, he generously imparts his wisdom as a mentor, educator, and member of the playwrighting community. - Dana Hall, actor, playwright, voice actor.
“I have been a fan of Philip Middleton Williams’ work for quite some time. I find his writing to be warm and insightful and extremely human. Laced with humanity and wit, and at times extremely moving, his plays speak to me not only as a theater professional, but as an audience member as well. He is also one of the most easy-going people in the business. I highly recommend Philip and his work.” - Michael McKeever, Playwright
"I have loved the work of Philip Middleton Williams for many years. It is funny, touching, sophisticated, and laden with humanity. His play, ‘A Moment of Clarity,’ has been a staple in my playwriting classes for several years now. Every time we read it, at least a handful of my students burst into tears. So do I." - Luke Yankee, Director, Author, and Head of Playwriting - California State University, Fullerton
“I first had the privilege of meeting Philip Middleton Williams when we both had plays in the same festival. I was immediately taken by the clarity of his voice and the confidence and warmth of his writing. His heart comes through every one of his vibrant characters and the worlds he creates are immediately recognizable and accessible.” - Stephen Kaplan, playwright.
“Philip Middleton Williams is a storyteller gifted with the ability to take a somewhat pulpy premise and elevate it with richly human characters, witty dialogue, and unexpected revelations that are as compelling as they are true to its play's themes and sensibilities. He isn't afraid to get personal -- sometimes very personal, in the case of ‘A Tree Grows in Longmont’ -- but his power as a writer comes from his willingness to engage not just with his own past and present, but the lived experiences of queer people of all stripes. I admire Philip's artistry and wealth of experience in the art of playwriting, and am always eager to read what he comes up with next” - Sam Heyman, playwright.
“One of the joys of being a retired theatre professor is learning how well alumni have done. I can say that during the past half-century the University of Miami has graduated a slew of successful actors, designers and directors, but I know of only one playwright: Philip Middleton Williams. His real inspirations were William Inge and Lanford Wilson. Philip continues in their vein, writing what they could only hint at, warm comedies and dramas full of well-honed dialogue and finely etched characters exploring the gay element of the American family saga.” - Kenneth N. Kurtz, playwright, designer.
“As enjoyable as plays are to read, they are meant to be performed; interpretations by a director and their cast are bound to differ from the preconceived notions that come from reading a work, and seeing Williams' ‘The Sugar Ridge Rag’ in performance at the Lab Theater Project recently revealed so many more levels to this touching story than are apparent on the page. A powerful piece of writing, the production pointed the way to what the script could be when performed – a heartbreaking, engrossing, and thought-provoking piece of theater. ” - Doug DeVita, playwright.
“Philip is a thoughtful, insightful, perceptive playwright sensitive to the world around him and tirelessly funneling his perceptions through a very creative lens.” - Gary Garrison, author, playwright, educator.
“As a writer myself I'm always fascinated by other writers' processes. The enthusiasm Philip has for writing is one of the reasons I feel his plays are so well done. Whether he is writing a drama or a comedy he really understands his characters making his stories come to life in a way you can relate to them. Philip can make a 10 minute play feel as complete as a two-act theatrical evening. He is definitely a writer who should be produced and enjoyed!“ - Dan Goggin - Creator of the "Nunsense Series."
“Philip Middleton Williams has that rare talent to infuse wit without cynicism and heart without being overwrought. He will charm you, make you root for every character he constructs, and entertain you whether witnessing his work on the stage or reading it from the page. He picks up where masters Inge, Wilson, and Wilder left off and creates uniquely American and unapologetically queer narratives. Philip is a playwright to enjoy.” - Franky D. Gonzalez, playwright.
“Philip is a brilliant playwright and storyteller. A true collaborator in every sense of the word. My experience working with him made me wish all playwrights were as open to ideas and he is. Any production of his work with him directly involved will experience a man passionate about the story, the process, and the performance.” - Owen Robertson, Executive Producer, LAB Theater Project.
"I was lucky enough to direct Phillip Williams' ‘Ask Me Anything’ for a ten-minute play festival in Miami. It was clever, laugh-out-loud funny, inventive and stole the evening from the other entries. Mr. Williams’ plays blend family, pathos and humor in a unique, unexpected and non-traditional manner. His small casts and unit settings make them red meat for any producer to execute.” - William Roudebush, member of The Actors Studio, Playwright/Director Unit, SDC, SAG-AFTRA.
“I was the Artistic Director for The Playgroup LLC for ten wonderful years, supporting South Florida playwrights and by far, my favorite project was Philip Middleton Williams' “All Together Now.” It was such a moving story of family, we found a magical cast and the production was one of my proudest moments as a producer and director. The stage needs playwrights like Williams who shows us the new way -- the right way -- to look at what makes a relationship or a family.” - Joyce Sweeney (they/them), Agent at The Seymour Agency, Member AALA.