Arlene Malinowski Resume & Bio
Arlene Malinowski Ed.D.
Actor, Author: SOLO The Everything Guide. (northwestern University Press) Playwright, Writing Coach & Instructor, Director of Education at Chicago Dramatists, 3Arts/Bodies of Work,
Phone: 805.573.2369 E-Mail: soloshow.malinowski@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Working actor, playwright and storyteller with more than three decades of professional experience on stages, screens and pages, alongside a parallel career as a teaching artist and curriculum designer. I write and perform original solo work that has toured nationally and internationally, and my plays have been developed and produced at theaters across the country. As a teaching artist, I bring my active performance and writing practice directly into the classroom, designing transformative, inclusive learning experiences for students and adults across higher education, community organizations, libraries and theaters. Skilled in engaging diverse audiences through writing, theatre, improv and storytelling. My ongoing artistic practice feeds my teaching, and my teaching feeds the work.
Teaching Artist and Educator 1995 – Present
Author: Co-written with Julie Ganey. “SOLO: The Everything Guide to Writing, Performing and Producing Your One-Person Show”. Publisher-Northwestern University Press. December 2025
Abridged List:
Education Director- Chicago Dramatists Theatre. I 2024 – Present
Chicago Dramatists Faculty. Developed Solo & Story Curriculum I 2006 – Present
Chicago Dept of Cultural Affairs. Creative Worker Campaign Advisory Committee I Present I 2024I
The Writers Room. Private Workshops, Retreats & Coaching. Online & in-person I 2002- Present
Story Jam Studios, Wilmette, Illinois. Instructor I 2017- Present
Ragdale Foundation, Lake Forest, Illinois. Curator Spotlight Series I 2014-2016 & 2018
Vagabond Training Center. Chicago, Illinois. Instructor. Writing & Performing Solo| 2015
Victory Gardens Theater. Chicago, Illinois. Instructor. Writing Solo Show| 2010 - 2015
Quad Cities Arts Program, Rock Island, Illinois I Teaching Artist I 2010
16th Street Theater I Berwyn. Illinois I Artist in Residence I 2008 & 2012
Great Leap I Member of the National Touring Company I 1990-2005
College of the Canyons, Valencia, CA I Adjunct Faculty I 2002
Guest lecturer in higher education, high schools and organizations nationwide I1995- Present
Director of Education. Chicago Dramatists Theatre, Chicago, IL, 2024-Present.
I oversee the planning and execution of the organization's education and outreach curriculum, which serves hundreds of students annually. I develop and manage playwriting class offerings and quarterly schedules. I recruit, lead and supervise faculty and education staff, building a collaborative and professional environment. Working with marketing, I design outreach strategies to attract diverse students while ensuring an inclusive and welcoming learning experience. I evaluate curriculum effectiveness using student feedback and data.
Playwriting Instructor and Program Developer: I developed and oversee the "Solo Show & Storytelling for Stage" curriculum, which covers Writing Fundamentals, Development Intensives, Marketing and Branding, Page to Stage, and Acting and Performance Skills. I designed the program's pedagogy and grew it from a single class into a year-round, multi-class offering. I coordinate student showcases performed online and in person, and bring my active performance and writing practice directly into the classroom.
As a Resident Playwright, I provide script analysis, one-on-one dramaturgy and support for our Network Playwrights Program. I also participate in performances, fundraising efforts, and mentoring interns as part of my role as a stakeholder in my artistic home.Founder & Director, ACCESS Fellowship, Chicago Dramatists Theatre, 2019-Present (Unpaid)
ACCESS Fellowship- I designed and spearheaded the ACCESS Fellowship at Chicago Dramatists to support the growth and development of Deaf and Disabled artists through targeted resources and creative opportunities. As a disabled artist who teaches, mentors and continues to tour my own work, I designed the fellowship from the inside out. It is one of the few programs in the country supporting Deaf and Disabled playwrights, and reflects my deep investment in fostering a more inclusive artistic community.
Mentor, 3Arts/Bodies of Work Residency Program | Chicago, IL | 2025
I served as Mentor for the Fall 2025 cohort of the 3Arts/Bodies of Work Residency Program, a customized Chicago-based residency for Deaf and disabled artists anchored at the University of Illinois Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I worked one-on-one with a resident artist over three months, providing mentorship on project development, helping plan a student engagement event and a public event, and offering connections within the broader Disability Arts community.
Instructor, Story Jam Studio, Chicago, Illinois, 2019-Present
I design and conduct creative and coolio classes and workshops like "Goddess Rising,” "Double Shot of Story Espresso." and "Rhythm & Flow.” I cultivate he personal and professional development of storytellers, fostering an environment of creativity, confidence, and community.
Guest Lecturer | Higher Education, High Schools and Organizations Nationwide | 1995 – Present
I have served as guest teaching artist and lecturer at colleges and universities including DePaul, Northwestern, UCLA, the University of Illinois Chicago, Gallaudet, Buffalo State and Rochester Institute of Technology, among many others. I have also led master classes and workshops at
Independent Touring Solo Artist 2000-Present
As a solo artist with over three decades of experience, I have toured and performed more than 300 perforamances of my three solo works: “What Does the Sun Sound Like”, “Aiming for Sainthood” and “A Little Bit Not Normal” which explore themes at the intersection of Deaf, disability, and mental health communities within the broader culture. I have performed in diverse venues, including colleges, universities, hospitals, conferences, theaters, schools, festivals, museums, churches, organizations, performing arts centers across the U.S. and internationally, while also leading master classes, workshops, and talkbacks in conjunction with these performances.
HONORS / AWARDSHONORS / AWARDS
Chicago Cultural Center Pilot Program Theatre Residency
Nominated 3Arts Next Level Teaching Artist Award
Southbank Theatre Company's Making History competition
Twice Nominated 3Arts Theatre Award
O’Neill Playwrights Conference. Semi-Finalist. Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.
Recognition from Mental Health America of Porter County
3Arts Fellowship awardee. 3Arts & Bodies Of Work Disability in the Arts and Culture
Blue Ink Award. Semi-Finalist, American Blues Theater
Artist in Residence- Quad Cities Arts, Rock Island, Illinois
New Plays from the Heartland. Finalist, Heartland Theater
In The Works Theater Grant. Awardee. Boeing Grant Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
Theater Ovations Award. Nominated. LA Stage Alliance
Garland Award. Nominated. Backstage West
PLAYWRITING RESUME
Roberto & Julia Full Length
A Little Bit Not Normal Solo Show, Full Length
Interrobang. Roman + Julia Full-Length Play
Safe Harbor One Act
Whampo, Whampo, Whampo Full-Length Play
The Fish House One-Act Play
I’m Screaming Solo Show, One Act
Deaf Santa Solo Show, One Act
Aiming For Sainthood Solo Show, Full Length
Anonymous Donor Full-Length Play
What Does the Sun Sound Like Solo Show, Full Length
Silenced One-Act Play
JFK and Me Solo Show, One Act
Shelter One Act Play
Til Deaf Do Us Part Solo Show, One Act
Kicking the Habit Solo Show, One Act
ACTING RESUME
THEATRE (Partial Listing LA & Chicago)
Love Person Maggie Victory Gardens, Chicago
A Little Bit Not Normal Solo Performer 16th Street Theater, Berwyn
By the Music of the Spheres Ellenore/Lead The Goodman Theater, Chicago
Aiming For Sainthood Solo Performer Pritizker Pavilion, Victory Gardens
Pancake Breakfast Lillian/lead New Colony Theater, Chicago
Slice of Rice, Frijoles & Greens Solo Performer National Touring Company
Or Forever Hold Your Peace Solo Performer Blue Sphere Alliance, LA
What Does the Sun Sound Like Solo Performer HBO Workspace, Victory Gardens & Venues nationally
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Nurse Fountain Theater & Deaf West, LA
Kicking the Habit Solo/Lead Blue Sphere Alliance, LA
Solos In Harmony Solo Performer Blue Sphere Alliance, LA
The Crucible Elizabeth/Lead Hudson Theatre, LA
Lovers & Other Strangers Bea Blue Sphere Alliance, LA
To All Relations Ensemble Japanese American Cultural Center
Labor Pains Paula/Lead Victory Theatre, LA
Kafka’s- The Trial Ensemble Company of Angels, LA
Broadway Bound Blanche West Coast Ensemble, LA
David’s Mother Sally/Lead West Coast Ensemble, LA
Six Degrees of Separation Quisa/Lead The Lex Theatre, LA
Chapter Two Faye Long Beach Playhouse
Twelfth Night Maria West Coast Ensemble, LA
Measure For Measure Isabella/Lead BADA , Dir- Fiona Shaw
Lost in Yonkers Bella Hudson Theatre, LA
The Miracle Worker Anne/Lead The Complex Theatre, LA
Marty Claire The Complex Theatre, LA
FILM & TELEVISION
Sweet Nothing in my Ear (Film) Supporting CBS/Hallmark-Dir Joe Sargeant
CSI- Crime Scene Investigation (2 episodes) Guest Star CBS, Dir- Various
ER Guest Star NBC, Dir- David Nutter
The Division Guest Star Lifetime, Dir- Charles Haid
The Practice Guest Star ABC, Dir- Michael Zinberg
The X-Files (2 episodes) Guest Star FOX, Dir- Various
Any Day Now Guest Star Lifetime, Dir- Michael Zinberg
Diagnosis Murder Guest Star CBS, Dir- Ron Satlof
Life-Stories- (Pilot) Guest Star 3 Ring Circus, Dir- Mark Travis
WRITINGS
Ms. Magazine, Huffington Post, Medium, Paramanu Pentaquark, En Posse Review, “Stage to Page” by Chicago Story Press. “True Stories about Love” by Chicago Story Press and “Women Of Letters Anthology” by Penguin Press.
LIVE LIT PERFORMANCES- Original Material. 2013 Present (Partial list)
Original Material. Live onstage. 2013- Present (Partial list)
(Chicago) WBEZ, Steppenwolf Theater, Tellabration, Victory Gardens Theater, This Much Is True, Pour One Out, Story Jam, Story Sessions, Second Hand Stories, Story Lab, You’re Being Ridiculous, Second Story, That’s All She Wrote, Story Club, Voice Box, Grit, Do Not Submit, (Arizona) Odyssey Storytelling (California) Tasty Words, TellI t! LA Women’s Theater Festival. Torrance Performing Arts Center
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER:
NON:OP Open Opera Works, Board Member
• International CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) Scholarship Selection Committee
Strattera Mentor, National Org for Women in Theater
Neighborhood Writing Alliance, Chicago, Illinois,
Actor’s Equity Association, Chicago,
Ragdale Foundation, Lake Forest, Illinois
Vi, Senior Residential Home, Mount Prospect, Illinois
Highland Park High School, Illinois,
Writing Matters, Oak Park, Illinois.
International Children of Deaf Adults Conferences