Picture a Portland-born storyteller who weaves time travel with historical intrigue, all while penning plays that explore faith, queerness, and science—meet Claire Willett! This award-winning playwright and novelist has carved a unique niche, blending speculative fiction with heartfelt narratives. From her debut novel to her thought-provoking plays, Willett’s work captivates with its wit and depth, making her a rising star to watch.
The Making of Claire Willett
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Claire Willett grew up surrounded by the city’s vibrant arts scene. With a B.A. in Theatre from Whitman College and training from the Paul A. Kaplan Theatre Management Program at Manhattan Theatre Club, she honed her craft early. Her eight years as a Catholic youth minister added a spiritual layer to her storytelling, while her nonprofit grantwriting work grounded her in community impact. These experiences shaped her ability to craft stories that resonate across genres and mediums.
Claire Willett’s Unforgettable Stories
Willett’s debut novel, The Rewind Files (2015), is a fast-paced time-travel adventure set in 2112, where Regina Bellows accidentally unravels history during a mission to 1970s Washington, D.C. Fans praise its clever plot and vivid characters, with sequels All Things Fall (2022) and Zero Hour (2023) completing the trilogy. Her play Dear Galileo tackles science, religion, and family, earning acclaim for its intellectual depth. How Can I Keep From Singing? (2022) explores Catholicism and queerness, showcasing her knack for personal, poignant themes. Willett’s style blends humor, heart, and speculative twists, often diving into nerdy subcultures or historical what-ifs, making her work both accessible and profound.
Her plays, like the Scottish folk musical Carter Hall and the Norse mythology-inspired opera The Witch of the Iron Wood, highlight her versatility. Willett’s ability to adapt Edgar Allan Poe’s 'Annabel Lee' into the sapphic The Demons Down Under the Sea shows her bold, inclusive storytelling. Whether writing for the stage or page, she crafts narratives that challenge and entertain, earning her a loyal following.
Why Claire Willett Matters
Claire Willett’s impact lies in her ability to bridge genres and communities. Her speculative fiction invites readers to rethink history, while her plays amplify underrepresented voices, particularly in queer and spiritual contexts. As a founding artist of Portland’s Fertile Ground Festival and a member of Playwrights West, she’s helped shape the city’s theatre scene. Her pop culture criticism, from Vice Magazine to StarTrek.com, adds a playful, relatable voice to fandoms, making her a cultural connector. Willett’s work inspires readers and theatregoers to embrace curiosity and empathy, cementing her as a vital voice in modern storytelling.
- Born: Portland, Oregon
- Key Works: The Rewind Files, Dear Galileo, How Can I Keep From Singing?
- Awards: Oregon Literary Fellowship for Drama, grants from Oregon Arts Commission
Ready to dive into a world of time travel, faith, and nerdy adventures? Snag The Rewind Files or catch one of Claire Willett’s plays for a dose of her brilliant, genre-bending magic!