Phil Olson

Phil has written 18 published plays that have had over 400 productions in seven countries around the world. Twelve of his plays are published by Samuel French, including, "Mom's Gift," "A Nice Family Gathering," "A Nice Family Christmas," "Birthday Club," "A Twisted Christmas Carol," "Don't Hug Me," "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol," "A Don't Hug Me County Fair," "Don't Hug Me, I'm Pregnant," "Don't Hug Me, We're Married," "Don't Hug Me, We're Family," "Polyester The Musical." His play, "A Twisted Christmas Carol," opened and ran concurrently in 8 different theatres in 2019, something that has never happened in live theatre. His newest play, "Birthday Club," had 25 Zoom readings in theatres around the U.S. and Canada from March 2020 to February, 2021. Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley) starred in his play, "Mom's Gift," at the Meadowbrook Theatre in Michigan. Phil's plays have won over 20 playwriting awards around the country. His "Don't Hug Me" musicals have become a popular franchise. Phil has produced 35 theatrical productions and has a touring company in the midwest. Phil completed all levels of the famous Groundlings Improvisation School in Los Angeles. His teachers included Michael McDonald, Tim Bagley and Mindy Sterling. He performed in a sketch comedy group with fellow Groundling alums including Maya Rudolph, from Saturday Night Live. Phil wrote the short film, "Graham: A Dog's Story," with Paul Lazarus, starring Chris Williams and Tatyana Ali. The short film was an Official Selection in 10 film festivals. He wrote and directed "The Al Oerter Comeback," a short film starring Al Oerter, the only four-time Olympic Gold Medal Discus Champion. The film was a Finalist in The Long Island Film Festival. Phil has sold two screenplays and as a script doctor, he's re-written three movies that were produced. He has also produced 35 theatrical productions. Phil grew up in Edina, Minnesota. He was co-captain of the varsity football, basketball and track teams at Edina East High School, winning the Minnesota State High School Track Meet in the discus. He went on to Dartmouth College where he majored in mathematics, was All Ivy, All New England and All East in Track, and All Ivy in Football playing tight end on the Ivy League Championship Football team. After graduating from Dartmouth, Phil tried out for the Chicago Bears. After a "summer with the Bears" he went on to receive an MBA from The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and pursued a business career while writing stage and screenplays.