Hunter, who wrote the original play—and later the screenplay—for the acclaimed film The Whale, recently returned with his husband John Baker. Both are Iowa graduates.
Monday, April 10, 2023

By: Emily Delgado  

Samuel D. Hunter (2007 MFA, Playwriting) and his husband, John M. Baker (2008 MFA, Dramaturgy), attended and met at the University of Iowa. Both graduated with Master of Fine Arts degrees from the UI Department of Theatre Arts and have since gone on to find success in theatre and writing.  

In addition to the acclaim that the film The Whale has been garnering this awards season, Hunter’s new play, A Case for the Existence of God, for which Baker is dramaturg, is included in the New York Times list of Best Theatre of 2022. Baker, also highly regarded in the New York theatre industry, is co-founder, with Hunter, and artistic director of Sun Valley Playwright’s Residency, which is a non-profit artist retreat, commissioning program, and new play development lab in Hunter’s home state of Idaho. 

The couple returned to campus in March from New York to speak to an audience of current students about their work and give advice to those hoping to enter the industry. Both Hunter and Baker felt that it was important to visit because Iowa City is where they got their start—and it holds a special place in their hearts.  

students in iowa theatre

“We met here at Iowa. But I feel like this is the most important personal relationship and artistic collaboration of our lives. And it began here,” Hunter says. 

During the event, students also had the opportunity to ask questions about the professional world of filmmaking and screenwriting. Baker and Hunter also shared why they enjoyed studying at Iowa.  

“There was a lot of flexibility that allowed us to figure out who we are as artists,” Baker said. “But also, we were connected with so many guests who are coming through, like really, I think that fueled us artistically and professionally.”  

While the couple spoke, students listened attentively, absorbing their advice and experiences.  

Baker also emphasized the importance of finding a community when starting a career in theatre—and that Iowa did that for them as they got their start as emerging artists.  

“I feel like we found our community,” Baker said. “Between the two of us, we found our baseline community here in Iowa and if you can find your community here, too, then you can carry that for the rest of your career.”