About Gilbert Parker
Gilbert Parker - Famed Theater Agent, Mentor, and Friend
Gilbert Parker's illustrious career began as an assistant to Audrey Wood, the world-famous agent who represented Tennessee Williams and other major playwrights, at Liebling-Wood, Inc. He later worked as an agent at MCA Artists (1956-1964), Savan Parker APA (1964-1970), Curtis Brown, Ltd. (1970-1980), and the William Morris Agency (1980-1999). Over his fifty-year career, his clients included Robert Anderson, Melvin Bernhardt, Scott Ellis, George Furth, Frank Galati, A.R. Gurney, Beth Henley, Claire Labine, Hugh Leonard, Ken Ludwig, John Madden, Nicholas Martin, Des McAnuff, Terrence McNally, Mark Medoff, Richard Wilbur, and Paul Zindel. With his help, his clients went on to win 12 Tony Awards and three Pulitzer Prizes. He was the first theater major at Wesleyan University (class of 1948).
Parker was often referred to as "the last of the gentleman agents." A young writer's first play Off-off Broadway brought him the same enthusiasm and critical intelligence as a Broadway musical. A handshake was as good as a contract. Even after retirement, he continued to mentor young playwrights and directors, emerging artists. Thomas Kail, the director of Hamilton, said, "I met Gilbert six months after I moved to New York in December of 2001. He was encouraging, wise, and always there when I needed him. I saved a seat for him for every show I ever did; he never missed one."
Parker was Vice-President of Dramatists Play Service, and served on its Board of Directors for 37 years. He also served as Senior Vice President of the William Morris Agency, was the head of the Dramatic Branch of the Society of Authors' Representatives, and was on the boards of Theatreworks/USA and Transport Group. He was a member of the Nominating Committee for the Tony Awards for two terms. He purchased a summer retreat in Fire Island Pines in 1958 and was an active and devoted member of that community for the rest of his life, serving on the Board of Directors of the Fire Island Pines Arts Project. He passed away in 2019.