Phil Olson

Phil Olson grew up in Edina, Minnesota. He was co-captain of the varsity football, basketball and track teams at Edina East High School, winning the Minnesota State High School Track Meet in the discus.He went on to Dartmouth College where he majored in mathematics, was All Ivy, All New England and All East in Track, and All Ivy in Football playing tight end on the Ivy League Championship Football team.After graduating from Dartmouth, Phil tried out for the Chicago Bears. After a "summer with the Bears" he went on to receive an MBA from The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and pursued a business career while writing stage and screenplays.Phil has written 14 published plays, 9 are published by Samuel French, including, "A Nice Family Gathering," "A Nice Family Christmas," "Don't Hug Me," "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol," "A Don't Hug Me County Fair," "Don't Hug Me, I'm Pregnant," "Don't Hug Me, We're Married," "Polyester The Musical" and "Mom's Gift."Phil's plays and musicals have been produced in over 350 cities around the world, and have won several awards around the country. His "Don't Hug Me" musicals have become a popular franchise.Phil completed all levels of the famous Groundlings Improvisation School in Los Angeles. His teachers included Michael McDonald of MAD TV and Mindy Sterling. He performed in a sketch comedy group with fellow Groundling alums including Maya Rudolph, from Saturday Night Live.He wrote and directed "The Al Oerter Comeback," a short film starring Al Oerter, the only four-time Olympic Gold Medal Discus Champion. The film was a Finalist in The Long Island Film Festival.Phil has sold two screenplays and as a script doctor, he's re-written three movies that were produced. Show less «