Jeff Barker (playwright)


Jeff Barker is an American playwright, director, professor, and actor. He has written plays such as Kin, Unspoken for Time, and September Bears. He is an advocate for the restoration of the ancient plays of Israel, co-creating Terror Texts and And God Said. He also acted in the film "The Prairie Pirates" directed by Jamey Durham.

Biography

Barker grew up in Mendota, Illinois. His first play was written and produced during his time in undergraduate school at Greenville College. He continued on to earn an M.A. at Northern Illinois University as well as an M.F.A. at University of South Dakota. From 1988-2020, he and his wife Karen held professorships in acting and directing at Northwestern College and they both retired as Professors Emeriti in 2020. He has over thirty produced scripts to his credit. September Bears, his 9/11-based play, appeared off-Broadway in 2003. Barker and his wife have three children and make their home in La Moille, Illinois. Barker is an elder in the Reformed Church in America and also serves on the faculty of the Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida. The Barkers are currently professors in the Doctor of Ministry program at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan.

Selection of plays and musicals

Non-dramatic publications

  • Performing the Plays of the Bible co-authored with Thomas Boogaart
  • Whispers From the Lord
  • Zambia Home
  • Iowa, Ethiopia
  • Sioux Center Sudan
  • The Storytelling Church
  • "The Power of Telling a Story"
  • "The Other Driver"
  • "Ancient Israelite Dramas"
  • "Danyale’s Wedding"
  • "One Lonely Saturday"
  • "Starting a Drama Ministry"

Awards