Arthur Miller
( B. 17 October 1915, New York City, New York -- D. 10 February 2005, Roxbury, Connecticut)


Arthur Miller was born to Isadore and Augusta Miller, an upper-middle class family in Manhattan, New York City. Unfortunately, his father's garment manufacturing business failed during the early part of the depression and the family moved to a smaller home in Brooklyn before Miller could complete his public education. Miller did not excel in school and his desire to pursue a college career was only to escape the depressing negative home life in New York. He was able to secure a "conditional acceptance" to University of Michigan for a one-semester probationary period by showing the Dean of Admissions a savings book with $500, a hefty sum in 1934.

Miller enrolled as a journalism major and wrote for the student newspaper of the labor disputes in nearby Detroit. His close experience with the unions and his families financial losses of the depression may offer insight into why Miller delves into the shortcomings of capitalism in many of his plays. During his college years Miller received prizes for playwriting, which both helped him pay for his education and focus his career choice by changing his major to English.

After graduating with a B.A. in English, Miller moved back to New York and began writing professionally. In 1944 his first play to earn recognition was "The Man Who Had All the Luck," which was actually produced in New York and won the Theater Guild's National Award, but closed after only six performances. He tried writing a novel, "Focus," on which some acclaim fell, however his next effort "All My Sons," broke through in 1946 and established Miller as a playwright of the first order. The play ran for 328 performances, won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award and two Tony Awards. It also started his working relationship with director Elia Kazan.

"Death of a Salesman" followed in 1949 and ran for 742 performances, winning a Tony Award for best play and a Pulitzer Prize. This play was also directed by his friend Kazan. Yet, when Elia Kazan appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1952 and named associates of Miller's as members of the Communist Party, Miller separated from Kazan.

Miller wrote "The Crucible" in 1953, which many people believe is a thinly veiled reference to HUAC and the communist scare of the 1950's. The play was not well-received at the time, however is very popular today. After the opening of "The Crucible," Miller was investigated by HUAC. Miller refused to name people as communists. Both Kazan and Miller presented their own theatrical versions of events in "On the Waterfront" (Kazan) and "A View From the Bridge" (Miller) with predictable pronouncements on the value of informing in each.

Miller is also noted for having married Marilyn Monroe in 1956. This was his second marriage, his first marriage to Mary Slattery had lasted 16 years. Monroe and Miller divorced in 1961, she died the following year. Miller married photographer Inge Morath in 1962 and they remained married until her death in 2002.   

Arthur Miller eventually worked successfully with Elia Kazan again in 1964 on "After the Fall," a view of his relationship with Marilyn Monroe. He continued working and receiving much acclaim the rest of his life. Miller died at his home in 2005.

The Fort Smith Little Theatre has never produced Miller's first success "All My Sons," until this year, and has produced "Death of a Salesman" as a reading in 1966 and "The Crucible" in 1963.