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Paulanne Simmons

Writer - Theater Critic - Artist

About

Paulanne Simmons

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Paulanne Simmons is a vibrant and original presence in the realm of creativity, leaving a distinct mark across various artistic mediums. Her journey as a prolific writer began with an early acknowledgment of her talent, as she stood before an audience at her 6th-grade graduation to articulate the profound sentiments of her essay, "What My American Citizenship Means to Me."

Venturing into the visual arts, Paulanne's watercolors have been displayed at venues such as The Brooklyn Women’s Exchange, Artmageddon: Brooklyn Artists & Makers Fair, and Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury, NJ, attesting to her versatile artistic prowess.

Her career kicked off as a copywriter for renowned New York City advertising agencies, crafting compelling messages for iconic brands like Oscar de la Renta and Alitalia Airlines, and even delving into the world of American Standard plumbing products. The transition to journalism saw her contribute to esteemed publications such as Newsday, The Big Apple Parent’s Paper, and The Brooklyn Papers.

Yet, it is in the theater where Paulanne truly found her passion. Her insightful theater reviews have been published on numerous platforms, including nytheatre-wire.com, theaterlife.com, and stageandcinema.com. The journey from critique to creation was inevitable, as she took on the challenge to write her first play, "Basketball Lessons," which debuted at Theater for the New City in 2001.

Since that inaugural success, Paulanne's theatrical works have been produced at venues such as The Ensemble Studio Theater’s Octoberfest, Makor/92 St. Y, The Richmond Shepard Theatre, and the 2010 New York Fringe Festival. Her creative evolution extends beyond words, as she ventured into musicals, not only writing the book and lyrics for "In the Schoolyard" and "When I Get to Heaven" but also composing the music for the latter —a testament to her diverse artistic capabilities.

Drawing inspiration from her experiences as a resident of Brooklyn Heights and an avid connoisseur of light and sweet coffee, Paulanne wrote "The Coffee Connection," a mystery novel that artfully intertwines her two great loves.

A distinguished member of professional organizations such as The Dramatists Guild, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama Desk, Paulanne Simmons is dedicated to artistic excellence across the diverse landscapes of literature, theater, and the visual arts.

Sunset Over Manhattan

Sharing The Love of New York City's Arts

With The World

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Like most writers, I base my characters on real people. Sometimes they are people I have known. Sometimes they are people others have told me about. Sometimes they are combinations of people. I put them in situations I have created or situations that are variations of their own experiences. Then I see what happens. Characters need to have a life of their own. Only then can they come to life for the reader.

Contact Paulanne

Have a question or want to work together?

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