Two-time Academy Award-winning writer Horton Foote (b. 1916) has brought the characters and locales of southeastern Texas to the stage, television, and the big screen since his career began in the early 1940s. He is the author of many plays, including Talking Pictures, The Carpetbagger's Children, Night Season, The Traveling Lady, Convicts, Courtship, l9l8, Lily Dale, and more than twenty one-acts plays. In December 2000, President Clinton awarded Mr. Foote the National Medal of Arts. Foote lives in Wharton, Texas, which, under the name of Harrison, is the setting for many of his plays.

John Guare is an Obie and Tony Award-winning playwright.