Monty Cole is a writer-director for theatre and film based in Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA.
As a theatre director, Cole’s productions have been acclaimed for their emotional clarity, stunning visuals and innovative rethinking. He has directed for Steppenwolf, Center Theatre Group, The Goodman Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Victory Gardens Theater, the Center for New Performance, Cape Cod Theatre Project, Alley Theatre and others. His re-interpretations of classics from Eugene O'Neill's The Hairy Ape to his recent production of Fences by August Wilson have received awards and critical praise in Chicago. As a new play director, he’s directed staged readings, workshops and world premieres across the country. Also an accomplished writer, Cole was a member with of the Playwrights Unit at the Goodman Theatre in 2020.
Cole’s films have been screened around the world at various Oscar qualifying film festival. His short SONS OF TOLEDO, has been shown by film festivals around the world including the American Black Film Festival, Montana International Film Festival (MINT Spirit Award), Detroit Black Film Festival (Best Short Film), Hip Hop Film Festival (Best of Fest), Film Invasion LA (Winner of the Filmmaker Award, Best Short, and Best Performance by an Ensemble) and many others. It can currently be viewed on American Airlines flights through a partnership with the American Black Film Festival. SIX FEET APART written by award winning playwright and screenwriter Isaac Gomez was filmed on location in El Paso, TX and has since also been screened at various film festivals. His autobiographical short WHOLE is currently beginning its festival circuit, currently selected to be screened at the International Black Film Festival, Sioux City International Film Festival, HollyShorts Film Festival, and the Inner City Film Festival. Cole is currently in the process of developing his first feature length film.
His stirring essays can be read in Howlround, American Theatre Magazine and Rescripted where Cole is a Resident Writer for the publication. As a professor, Cole has taught for the California Institute of the Arts and currently is a full time faculty member in the theatre department at University of Illinois, Chicago.
Monty has a BA in Theatre Studies from Emerson College and an MFA Directing degree from the California Institute of the Arts.