James Lapine is a stage director, playwright, screenwriter, and librettist. He has won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical three times, for Into the Woods, Falsettos, and Passion. He has frequently collaborated with Stephen Sondheim and William Finn.
In an interview discussing his time at Millay, James Lapine stated:
“I think the biggest thing about organizations like Millay Arts is that you don’t really understand what a big deal it is to have someone give you one month to do nothing but what you want to do. And they ask nothing of you, they don’t expect any kind of product, or painting, or work of art or play to come out it, it’s just somebody saying: ‘We think you are talented. We believe in this, and we are going to support you in your efforts.’ And it so inspires you to make something great from the experience you had, and you don’t have to worry about paying the rent, or go to a job, but it also makes you want to give back. I am so grateful.”