Ian "El" Trutt is a professionally produced playwright originally from Atlanta, GA. They specialize in dark comedies and social commentary brought to life with sharp dialogue. Trutt holds an MFA in screenwriting from UGA under the mentorship of Christine Swanson (Chicago PD, All About Us) and Holly Sorensen (Step Up: High Water, Make It Or Break It). Before that, they focused primarily on playwriting, having produced work through Emory University, Horizon Theatre, and Natural Eclipse Productions plus directing and assistant directing at Berkshire Theatre Festival. Their work has been recognized by festivals like LA WEBFEST, Independent Shorts Awards, IndieX Film Fest, Houston Comedy Film Festival, New York New Stories, and Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival.…

Ian 'El' Trutt

Ian "El" Trutt is a professionally produced playwright originally from Atlanta, GA. They specialize in dark comedies and social commentary brought to life with sharp dialogue. Trutt holds an MFA in screenwriting from UGA under the mentorship of Christine Swanson (Chicago PD, All About Us) and Holly Sorensen (Step Up: High Water, Make It Or Break It). Before that, they focused primarily on playwriting, having produced work through Emory University, Horizon Theatre, and Natural Eclipse Productions plus directing and assistant directing at Berkshire Theatre Festival. Their work has been recognized by festivals like LA WEBFEST, Independent Shorts Awards, IndieX Film Fest, Houston Comedy Film Festival, New York New Stories, and Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival.…

Available to hire

Ian “El” Trutt is a professionally produced playwright originally from Atlanta, GA. They specialize in dark comedies and social commentary brought to life with sharp dialogue.

Trutt holds an MFA in screenwriting from UGA under the mentorship of Christine Swanson (Chicago PD, All About Us) and Holly Sorensen (Step Up: High Water, Make It Or Break It). Before that, they focused primarily on playwriting, having produced work through Emory University, Horizon Theatre, and Natural Eclipse Productions plus directing and assistant directing at Berkshire Theatre Festival.

Their work has been recognized by festivals like LA WEBFEST, Independent Shorts Awards, IndieX Film Fest, Houston Comedy Film Festival, New York New Stories, and Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Screenwriter/Sketch Writer at Natural Eclipse Productions
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2022
Wrote scripts for screenplays and sketches; collaborated with directors and producers on concept development, drafting, and revisions across multiple projects.
Artistic Director at Natural Eclipse Productions
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2020
Led artistic programming and development; oversaw creative direction, project proposals, and production planning during 2019-2020.
Writer/Editor at The English Island
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2019
Wrote and edited content; contributed to multiple projects across 2016-2019 and 2021-2022.
Writer/Editor at The English Island
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Wrote and edited content; contributed during 2021-2022.
Managing Director at The Theatere
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2017
Led organizational management, programming, and administrative operations for live theatre projects.
Reader/Judge for Excellence in Playwriting Award at Association for Theatre in Higher Education
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Evaluated submissions for the Excellence in Playwriting Award during 2014.
Assistant to the Director at Berkshire Theatre Festival
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Supported the director's team; assisted rehearsals and production tasks in 2014.
Director/Choreographer at Berkshire Theatre Festival
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Directed and choreographed festival productions in 2014.
Screenwriter at RAILX
December 30, 2012 - December 30, 2012
Wrote screenplays for RailX project in 2013.

Education

MFA in Narrative Media Writing, Screenwriting at University of Georgia, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2019
BA in Playwriting, cum laude at Emory University
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2015
Basic Diploma in Intimacy Coordination/Choreography at Theatrical Intimacy Education
August 1, 2025 - December 9, 2025

Qualifications

OMICRON DELTA KAPPA National Leadership Honors Society
January 1, 2015 - December 9, 2025
ALPHA PSI OMEGA National Theater Honors Society
January 1, 2014 - December 9, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services