hi there!

I’m Surrey, a Queer, Massachusetts-based theater maker who explores the intricacies of the LGBTQIA+ experience through belonging, community, honesty, and humor. I am additionally drawn to stories that examine grief, loss, and neurodiverse ways of connecting with others. I am also a big crier.

In addition to writing, I believe wholeheartedly in the intersection of arts education, trauma-informed teaching, and advocacy. I’m passionate about giving young people the space to start conversations with their personal and collective histories regardless of societal factors that may tell them otherwise.

what’s new?

  • This summer I’ll be workshopping for the fish with the wonderful Leo Grierson at the cell theatre. I feel so grateful for the time to get more specific with this piece and to share it with audiences in NYC for the first time! I’m also in pretty fantastic company with the other artists-in-residence this season.

    Click here to learn more.

  • for the fish is a finalist out of 600+ submissions for Live Arts’ WATERWORKS Festival in Charlottesville, VA! WATERWORKS is “a labor of love: for playmaking, artistry, storytellers, surprises, and most importantly, for the power of theater…”

    Click here to learn more.

  • for the fish is a semi-finalist out of 200 submissions for Local Theater Company’s Local Lab in Boulder, CO. Local Lab is “a forum to explore, develop, and strengthen work…” concluding in a staged reading with public feedback sessions. Stay tuned for updates as they come!

    Click here to learn more.

  • for the fish is a finalist out of 345 submissions for Seattle Public Theater’s Distillery New Works Festival in collaboration with Macha Theatre Works in Seattle, WA. Distillery is a “celebration of emerging theater…” concluding in a staged reading with public feedback sessions. Stay tuned for updates as they come!

    Click here to learn more.

  • I am a finalist for Company One’s Volt Lab 2024 right here in Boston, MA. Volt Lab “provides mentorship opportunities for pre-professional theater creatives to practice and enhance their craft…join[ing] a cohort of civically-engaged, antiracist peers led by C1’s Resident Playwright Kirsten Greenidge.” Stay tuned for updates as they come!

    Click here to learn more.

what my work is about

queer youth, mental health, rural America, LGBTQ liberation, found family, grief, navigating loss, queer joy, addiction, middle school, friendships, bodily autonomy, revenge fantasies, magical realism, sentient fish.......

queer youth, mental health, rural America, LGBTQ liberation, found family, grief, navigating loss, queer joy, addiction, middle school, friendships, bodily autonomy, revenge fantasies, magical realism, sentient fish.......

here’s some photos of my life

ph baby, I’m gonna need six therapists after this past month!
in a little less than two weeks, we’re reading and laughing and ~feeling~ our way through childhood grief (and middle school). and it would be super cool if you could join us! :’) THE DEAD DADZ CLUB Saturday, March 9 at 2:00PM at @camb
when I went to name these on my computer, I accidentally typed ‘headshit’ and I think that’s a beautiful thing
even MORE good mugs from 2023 :’) 1) scrunchy mugs 2) bereavement camp mugs 3) Hazel mug 4) picnic (not really) mugs 5) CURSED mug 6) new cat mug 7) mugs from another reading of ‘for the fish’ 8) sleepy Cricket mug 9) also not rea
some good mugs from 2023 :’) 1) sunny mug 2) @gptcplays mugs 3) brunch mug 4) more @gptcplays mugs 5) Bonkie mug 6) Mad Dash mugs 7) American Gothic mugs 8) Angela’s mugs 9) nostalgic mugs 10) family mugs
remember the time that I spilled water all over my laptop at 2 AM but also the time that Gabriele, Jake, Jude, Katherine, and I all made a fricken play in 24 hours? Gabriele doesn't have an Instagram bec they are infinitely cool, but 'House Play' was
pirating as an allegory for Queer belonging and love?! sign me tf up 😤😤😤

For script requests and to get in touch with me, please send an email: surreyhoulker@gmail.com

(I'm pretty good at responding, I swear.)