news: 2026

Winter 2026: ‘Rest, Stop.’ | Semi-finalist for the Blue Ink Award


news: 2025

Winter 2025: Winter 2025: ‘Rest, Stop.’ | Semi-finalist for Local Theatre Company Local Lab 15

Summer 2025: Received the Tennessee Williams Scholarship at Sewanee Writers' Conference

Summer 2025: Finalist for New Roots Queer Artist Residency at Walhalla Farm

Spring 2025: ‘Rest, Stop.’ | Reading at Houghton Hall Arts Community


news: 2024

Summer 2024: Received the Chesley/Bumbalo Grant for Writers of Gay & Lesbian Theatre with the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation

Spring 2024: MFA Playwriting @ Yale School of Drama

Winter 2024: 'for the fish ' | In residence at the cell theatre

Winter 2024: 'for the fish' | Finalist for Live Arts WATERWORKS Festival

Winter 2024: 'for the fish' | Semi-finalist for Local Theater Company Local Lab 13


news: 2023

Fall 2023: 'for the fish' | Finalist for Seattle Public Theater Distillery Festival

Fall 2023: Finalist for Company One Volt Lab

Fall 2023: 'for the fish' | Finalist for the cell theatre Artist-in-Residency Program

Summer 2023: Writing for Fresh Ink Theatre 8th Annual Mad Dash

Summer 2023: 'for the fish' | In residence at Great Plains Theatre Commons New Play Conference

Spring 2023: 'THE DEAD DADZ CLUB' | Reading at TC Squared New Play Festival

Spring 2023: 'for the fish' | Reading at The Depot for New Play Readings

kind words about my work

“What a gift this play is to queer theatre and what a master class in how to create rich, nuanced characters. Susanna perfectly encapsulates the pre-teen/teenage struggle of who we are and who we are supposed to become, and Uncle serves as an incredibly honest parental figure who is trying their best to figure it all out. Lots of humor, empathy, and connection bleed through this text. A must read and must produce!”

New Play Exchange Review: for the fish

“Surrey Houlker’s play snapshots the daily indignities, large and small, being suffered behind every coffee counter and fast food register, and asks how—and why—we’re meant to put our souls and sanity on the line for a cup of coffee and a meager hourly wage. Houlker once again centers queer characters of different generations whose imperfect alliance is a rickety life-raft on unfriendly seas...”

New Play Exchange Review: Linda’s Donuts

“…The play’s power builds from the accumulation of small consolations: cigarettes, dancing, new shoes. Ultimately for the fish revels in brave acts of love and hope in an age of reaction. Very highly recommended.”

New Play Exchange Review: for the fish