RespectAbility Entertainment Professionals Lab, Summer 2022
Alys Murray
Alys Murray is a crowd-pleasing genre writer. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, she obtained her undergraduate degree in Playwriting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. During her time at NYU, she also studied at the university’s prestigious playwriting course in cooperation with The Jermyn Street Theatre, RADA, and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. Subsequently, she earned her Master’s of Fine Arts in Film Studies from King’s College London.
Though she began her professional career writing novels (including three international best sellers) with publishers such as Hachette and Simon & Schuster, she transitioned to writing for film and television in 2019.
Her screenplays, including the Whoopi Goldberg produced New Orleans Noel, have allowed her to work as both writer and producer with ViacomCBS, Hallmark, and Lifetime. Additionally, she has served as a script doctor for several produced projects, focusing in particular on the romance genre and romantic subplots.
As a disabled female writer, she feels it is vital that her work bring joy and hope to audiences everywhere.
She is represented by CAA’s Matt Felker and Norris Brooks.
Learn More
After an extensive search and interview process, 18 individuals and one writing duo were invited to participate in the Virtual Cohort of RespectAbility’s 2022 Entertainment Lab taking place August 16 – September 22, 2022. This 6-week, 18-session Lab aims to further develop and elevate the talent pipeline of diverse professionals with disabilities working behind-the-scenes in television, film, and streaming. Participants include people with physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and other disabilities ranging in age from people in their 20’s through their 50’s. The Lab is a recipient of The Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award.
The Virtual Cohort of the 2022 Entertainment Lab is made possible with support by:
- Platinum Sponsors: Murray/Reese Foundation and Netflix
- Gold Sponsors: The Harnisch Foundation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and The Walt Disney Company
- Silver Sponsors: Hollywood Foreign Press Association Charitable Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, and NBCUniversal
