Gary P. Cohen

Gary P. Cohen serves as the producing director for Plays-in-the-Park, a renowned summer theater located in New Jersey, where he has taken the helm in directing over fifty productions, ranging from plays to musicals. His journey in theater began in the early 1970s when he established a 100-seat semiprofessional theater, a venture that allowed him to refine his artistic skills. In the 1980s, he transitioned to Plays-in-the-Park, further solidifying his reputation in the performing arts community.

In addition to his extensive directing experience, Cohen authored *The Community Theater Handbook*, published by Heinemann in 2003, which serves as a valuable resource for aspiring theater practitioners. He has also collaborated with Mark Baron on notable works such as *Off-B'way's Frankenstein, A New Musical*, *A High School Monster Musical*, and *The Reluctant Dragon*.

Cohen's diverse career includes a stint as an agent with the William Morris Agency, showcasing his multifaceted involvement in the industry. Furthermore, he made his mark in the realm of cult horror films during the 1980s with the creation and direction of three shot-on-video features: *Video Violence*, *Video Violence II*, and *Captives*, which have since been released on DVD and Blu-ray. His contributions to theater and film continue to resonate within the artistic community.