Timeline: Marsha Norman

Sep 21, 1947

Marsha Norman Is Born

Marsha Norman was born in Louisville, Kentucky, she grew up in a family of women who shared a love for storytelling and Literature which inspired Norma to become a writer.

1969

Attended Agnes Scott College

Marsha Norman graduated from Agnes Scott College located in Decatur, Georgia with a degree in Philosophy.

1969

Marsha Normans First Marriage

Marsha Williams became Marsha Norman after marrying Michael Norman who was a former English teacher.

1971

Attended University of Louisville

After receiving her Bachelor's degree Marsha Norman received her Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of Louisville.

1974

First Divorce

Marsha Norman and Michael Norman sadly got a divorce after 5 years together.

1977

First play is produced

Marsha Norman produced her first play titled "Getting Out" at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. This play is about a female prisoner who is released from prison and returns to her home in Kentucky.

1978

Marsha Norman's second marriage

Marsha Norman gets married for a second time to Dann C. Byck Jr. who was a theatrical producer.

1979

"Getting Out" Premiers

Breaking out premiered off-Broadway for the first time in the Theatre De Lys in New York.

1979

"Getting Out" wins its first award

Getting out wins the Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award.

1980

Marsha Norman Moves

The win of Marsha's play "Getting Out" motivates her to move to New York to pursue writing.

1981

Marsha Normans Next Play

Marsha Norman wrote "Night, Mother" a play about a daughter who plans to commit suicide while her mother tries to understand her intentions.

1983

"Night, Mother" wins an award

"Night, Mother" wins the Pulitzer Prize For Drama which is one of the annual Pulitzer Prizes that award letters, dramas, and music.

1986

Marsha Norman's Second Divorce

Marsha Norman and Dann C. Byck Jr. got divorced after 8 years.

1986

Marsha Norman Publishes her first Novel

"The Fortune Teller" is Marsha Normans First Novel which explored themes of parent-child relationships.

1987

Marsha Norman's Third Marriage

Marsha Norman married Timothy Dykman and they are still married to this day.

1989

Marsha Norman and " The Secret Garden"

Marsha Norman began co-writing the book and the lyrics for the musical of "The Secret Garden" .

Nov 28, 1989

The Secrete Garden Musical Premiere

The Secrete Garden Musical premiered at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk, Virginia.

1991

The Secret Garden Awards

The Secret Garden won the Best "Book Of A Musical" tony award, the "Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical" Tony award, and the "Best Scenic Design" Tony award.

Apr 25, 1991

The Secret Garden Makes It To Broadway

The Secrete Garden Musical opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre and ran 709 performances before closing in 1993.

2010

Marsha Norman was one of the founders of the Lilly Awards

The Lilly Awards, now known as the Lillys are American awards that honor and advocate for both women and non-binary individuals in American theatre.

2019

Marsha Norman steps down

Marsha Norman stepped down from her job as a co-director of Julliard's Lia Acheson Wallace American Playwrite Program after being in that position for 25 years and now lives in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts.

2025