Elizabeth Swados

Elizabeth Swados (February 5, 1951 – January 5, 2016) was an American writer, composer, musician, choreographer, and theatre director renowned for her socially conscious musical theater, particularly her Broadway hit Runaways[1][4]. She created a unique style of musical theater drawing on global musical traditions and addressing issues like homelessness, mental illness, and political oppression[5][9]. Swados published numerous novels, children's books, nonfiction, and poetry, and received five Tony nominations, three Obie Awards, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Ford Fellowship[1][5].