Meryl Friedman was a founder and producing director at Lifeline Theatre in Chicago where she worked for 16 years,  producing over 60 productions, many of which were new/premier works or adaptations. Her adaptations have been produced across the country. She has worked at Lincoln Center Institute, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Webster Conservatory at St. Louis Rep., The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Chicago Theaters on the Air, National Jewish Theatre, WBEZÕs ÒStories on StageÓ (a program of National Public Radio), Ensemble Studio Theatre—The LA Project and ASK Theater Projects. Friedman is the recipient of numerous awards for writing and directing; in July of 1999 she received the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education for her adaptation of Journey of the Sparrows.