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{{Use American English|date=October 2023}}
{{
{{Infobox person
| name = Gwen Arner
Line 9 ⟶ 7:
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Omaha, Nebraska]], U.S.
| education = [[University of Michigan]]
| occupation =
* Television director
* stage director
* actress
}}
| notable_works =
| years_active =
| spouse = {{marriage |[[Donald Moffat]]
| children = 2
}}
'''Gwen Arner''' (born 1936 or 1937) is an American director and actress. She co-founded the [[Los Angeles Actors' Theatre]] and directed stage productions there, as well as at the [[Mark Taper Forum]] and in the Midwestern United States. She also directed episodes of ''[[The Waltons]]'', ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'', ''[[Falcon Crest]]'', and ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]''.
==Biography==
Gwen Arner was born in 1936 or 1937 in [[Omaha, Nebraska]], and later raised there.<ref name="LA 19961110">{{Cite news |last=Breslauer |first=Jan |date=1996-11-10 |title=THEATER; Bouncing Back to the Boards |pages=43 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://proquest.com/docview/293454419/A27DCB3C218C46FEPQ/1 |url-access=subscription |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> Having become interested in acting during her adolescence, she studied theater at the [[University of Michigan]], gaining her bachelor's and master's degrees in the field.<ref name="LA 19961110"/>
After abandoning her initial pursuit for a doctoral degree in favor of stage performance work, she made her acting debut at the [[Mark Taper Forum]] and later co-founded the [[Los Angeles Actors' Theatre]] (LAAT), where she marked her directorial debut.<ref name="LA 19961110"/> In 1970, she married [[Donald Moffat]], who was one of the LAAT's co-founders; they would remain married until his death on December 20, 2018.<ref name="LA 19961110"/><ref name="nytimes">{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/obituaries/donald-moffat-dead.html| title=Donald Moffat, 87, a Top Actor Who Thrived in Second Billings, Dies| last=McFadden| first=Robert D.| date=20 December 2018| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| access-date=1 October 2023| language=en-US| issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Among her LAAT directing credits are productions of ''[[The Kitchen (play)|The Kitchen]]'' and ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'', the latter which was shown at ''[[Great Performances]]'' on PBS in 1977.<ref name="LA 19961110"/><ref name="Witbeck"/> Writing for [[King Features Syndicate]], Charles Witbeck praised her ''Waiting for Godot'' production as a "lively, joyful version" of the original, saying that "word reached New York that Los Angeles had a [[Samuel Beckett|Beckett]] smasher, the "definitive Godot" in the words of an influential critic."<ref name="Witbeck">{{Cite news |last=Witbeck |first=Charles |date=June 25, 1977 |title=Los Angeles actors produce lively and joyful Godot version |pages=132 |work=Winnipeg Free Press |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/ca/manitoba/winnipeg/winnipeg-free-press/1977/06-25/page-132/ |url-access=subscription |via=[[NewspaperArchive]]}}</ref> [[Dana Elcar]], who starred in the production, also recalled that Arner had "managed the transition without losing touch".<ref name="Witbeck" /> Two of her Mark Taper Forum productions, ''The Vienna Notes'' (1979) and ''[[Passion Play (play)|Passion Play]]'' (1984), won the [[Drama-Logue Award]] for Outstanding Direction.<ref name="Drama-Logue"/> ''Passion Play'' was also nominated for Best Direction at the 1984 [[Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards]].<ref name="LA 19850307">{{Cite news |last=Christon |first=Lawrence |date=1985-03-07 |title=CRITICS PICK BEST DRAMA CANDIDATES |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/292049722 |access-date=2023-10-06|id={{ProQuest|292049722}} }}</ref> After ''Passion Play'', she stopped doing stage direction work in Los Angeles for a while, preferring work in [[television film]]s for residency flexibility reasons.<ref name="LA 19961110"/>
In 1974, she directed one episode of ''[[The Waltons]]'', having received an opportunity to do so "through a connection".<ref name="LA 19961110"/> She later went on to direct episodes of ''[[The Bionic Woman]]'', ''[[The Paper Chase (TV series)|The Paper Chase]]'', ''[[American Playhouse]]'', ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'', ''[[The Colbys]]'', ''[[Falcon Crest]]'', ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'', ''[[Hotel]]'', ''[[Alien Nation (TV series)|Alien Nation]]'', ''[[The Commish]]'', ''[[Law & Order]]'', ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]'', ''[[Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman]]'', ''[[Sisters (American TV series)|Sisters]]'', and ''[[Homicide: Life on the Street]]''.<ref name="tvguide">{{Cite web |title=Gwen Arner List of Movies and TV Shows |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/gwen-arner/credits/3000353171/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> She also directed the films ''My Champion'' (1981), ''Please Don't Hit Me, Mom'' (1981), ''[[The Waltons|Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain]]'' (1982), ''[[My Town (TV series)|My Town]]'' (1986), ''Necessary Parties'' (1988), ''Majority Rule'' (1992), and ''Something Borrowed, Something Blue'' (1997).<ref name="tvguide" />
Although Arner "found directing much more interesting, more stimulating", she also had some acting credits.<ref name="LA 19961110"/> particularly in ''The Trial of the Catonsville Nine'' (1972), ''[[A Question of Love]]'' (1978), ''[[The MacKenzies of Paradise Cove|Stickin' Together]]'' (1978), and ''[[Making Love]]'' (1982).<ref name="tvguide" />
Arner continued her stage direction career in the Midwestern United States. In his review of a 1988 production of ''The White Plague'' (an adaptation of ''[[The White Disease]]'') in [[Evansville, Indiana]] (starring Derek Rhys-Evans, [[John Gegenhuber]], and [[Bruce A. Young]]), Tom Valeo said that, as director, she "heightens the impact of the words by encouraging the cast to deliver them without affectation or melodrama".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Valeo |first=Tom |date=February 24, 1988 |title=Wisdom of play isn't lost in the translation |pages=13 |work=[[Arlington Heights Daily Herald]] |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/illinois/arlington-heights/arlington-heights-daily-herald-suburban-chicago/1988/02-24/page-13/ |url-access=subscription |via=[[NewspaperArchive]]}}</ref> In 1991, she directed the world premiere of Jeremy Lawrence's play ''Uncommon Ground'' at the Northlight Theatre in [[Evanston, Illinois]], starring his husband Moffat and [[Anna Gunn]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1991-01-11 |title='Uncommon Ground' set in restless 1968 |pages=12 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/282944915 |id={{ProQuest|282944915}} |url-access=subscription |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref>
Writing for the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', Jan Breslauer wrote in 1996 that Arner "has accomplished what few women in her generation--or any generation, for that matter--have. At 59, she's had a successful directing career in both theater and television for more than 20 years."<ref name="LA 19961110"/>
== Filmography ==
===As director===
{|class="wikitable"
|+ Television
|-
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable" | Notes
! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 1978 || ''[[The Bionic Woman]]'' || 1 episode ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bionic Woman - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-bionic-woman/cast/1030242740/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1978 || ''[[The Paper Chase (TV series)|The Paper Chase]]'' || 1 episode ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Paper Chase - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-paper-chase/cast/1030241621/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1980 || ''[[The Waltons]]'' || 13 episodes ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Waltons - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-waltons/cast/1030201298/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1984 || ''[[American Playhouse]]'' || 1 episode ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Playhouse - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/american-playhouse/cast/1000233155/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'' || 5 episodes ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dallas - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/dallas/cast/1030201406/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1986 || ''[[The Colbys]]'' || 2 episodes ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Colbys - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-colbys/cast/1030005158/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Falcon Crest]]'' || 8 episodes ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Falcon Crest - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/falcon-crest/cast/1000004866/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1987 || ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' || 11 episodes ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dynasty - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/dynasty/cast/1000005111/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1988 || ''[[Hotel]]'' || 1 episode ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hotel - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/hotel/cast/1030204239/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Alien Nation (TV series)|Alien Nation]]'' || 2 episodes ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alien Nation - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/alien-nation/cast/1000216143/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1991 || ''[[The Commish]]'' || 1 episode ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Commish - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-commish/cast/1030036166/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Law & Order]]'' || 2 episodes ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Law & Order - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/law-and-order/cast/1030143566/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]'' || 1 episode ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beverly Hills, 90210 - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/beverly-hills-90210/cast/1000205058/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman]]'' || 1 episode ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/dr-quinn-medicine-woman/cast/1000181655/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Sisters (American TV series)|Sisters]]'' || 2 episodes ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sisters - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/sisters/cast/1000201372/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1996 || ''[[Homicide: Life on the Street]]'' || 1 episode ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homicide: Life on the Street - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/homicide-life-on-the-street/cast/1000140820/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|}
{|class="wikitable"
|+ Film
|-
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 1981 || ''My Champion'' ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=My Champion - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/my-champion/cast/2000275311/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1981 || ''Please Don't Hit Me, Mom'' ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Please Don't Hit Me, Mom - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/please-dont-hit-me-mom/cast/2000028955/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1982 || ''[[The Waltons|Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain]]'' ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mother's Day on Waltons Mountain - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/mothers-day-on-waltons-mountain/cast/2030010669/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1986 || ''[[My Town (TV series)|My Town]]'' ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=My Town - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/my-town/cast/2030320250/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1988 || ''Necessary Parties'' ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Necessary Parties - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/necessary-parties/cast/2000033701/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1992 || ''Majority Rule'' ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Majority Rule - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/majority-rule/cast/2030109761/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1997 || ''Something Borrowed, Something Blue'' ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Something Borrowed, Something Blue - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/something-borrowed-something-blue/cast/2030123347/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|}
===As actress ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 1972 || ''The Trial of the Catonsville Nine'' || Marjorie Melville ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Trial of the Catonsville Nine - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-trial-of-the-catonsville-nine/cast/2030284350/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1978 || ''[[A Question of Love]]'' || ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Question of Love - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/a-question-of-love/cast/2030127295/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1978 || ''[[The MacKenzies of Paradise Cove|Stickin' Together]]'' || Miss Steigler ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stickin' Together - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/stickin-together/cast/2000276117/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 1982 || ''[[Making Love]]'' || Arlene ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Making Love - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/making-love/cast/2030120131/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref>
|}
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Award
!Result
!Ref.
|-
|1979
|''The Vienna Notes''
|rowspan="2"|[[Drama-Logue Award]] for Outstanding Direction
|{{Won}}
|<ref name="Drama-Logue">{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=MARK TAPER FORUM AWARDS |url=https://res.cloudinary.com/dv3qcy9ay/raw/upload/v1585871644/general/PressKit/AwardsLists/Mark_Taper_Forum_Awards_4.20.pdf |publisher=Center Theatre Group |pages=11–12 | access-date=4 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|1984
|rowspan="2"|''Passion Play''
|{{Won}}
|<ref name="Drama-Logue" />
|-
|[[Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award]] for Best Direction
|{{Nominated}}
|<ref name="LA 19850307" />
|}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Arner, Gwen}}
[[Category:1930s births]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American women television directors]]
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