Elaine May
Keynote Speaker: Comedian, Filmmaker & Playwright; Grammy & Tony Award Winner; Academy Award-Nominated Screenwriter
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Elaine May Biography
Elaine May is a comedian, actress, playwright, screenwriter, and film director recognized for her contributions to American entertainment, particularly in comedy and cinema. May is credited as a pioneer of improvisational comedy, having been a member of the Chicago comedy troupe Compass Theater, which preceded Second City. She began collaborating with Mike Nichols, and together they left the Compass Players to form the stage act Nichols and May. Over four years, they appeared on television, radio, and stage, culminating in "An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May" on Broadway. Nichols and May released several comedy albums and received four Grammy Award nominations, winning Best Comedy Album for "An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May." Their work influenced comedians including Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, and Billy Crystal.
May became one of Hollywood's prominent female directors, directing the black screwball comedy "A New Leaf," the dark romantic comedy "The Heartbreak Kid," the gangster film "Mikey and Nicky," and the adventure comedy "Ishtar." She brought improvisational techniques to her directing, encouraging actors to experiment with material. While "Ishtar" was initially a commercial disappointment, it has since been recognized by filmmakers such as Peter Bogdanovich and Martin Scorsese.
As a screenwriter, May received two Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay for "Heaven Can Wait" and "Primary Colors," the latter earning her the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. She also co-wrote "Tootsie" and contributed to the screenplay for "The Birdcage."
May received a Tony Award for her performance as Gladys in Kenneth Lonergan's "The Waverly Gallery" on Broadway, marking her return to the stage after several decades. Her portrayal of a woman experiencing dementia earned her the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play.
May has been honored with the National Medal of Arts and an Honorary Academy Award. She also received the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement. May is recognized as a foundational figure in modern American comedy and as a trailblazer among female directors, known for her distinctive creative vision and influence on improvisational and sketch-based comedy.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Elaine May and other top speakers and celebrities.
How do I book Elaine May to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Elaine May for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Elaine May, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Elaine May or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Elaine May for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Elaine May, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $50,000 - $100,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Elaine May, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Elaine May speak about?
Elaine May is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Performing Arts, Celebrity, Women in Entertainment, Comedian, Actor, Jewish Heritage, Entertainment, Television & Film and Influential Women.
Where does Elaine May travel from?
Elaine May generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Elaine May?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Elaine May for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Elaine May for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Elaine May or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Elaine May is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Performing Arts, Celebrity and Women in Entertainment. The estimated speaking fee range to book Elaine May for live events is $50,000 - $100,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Elaine May generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Beanie Feldstein, Gina Gershon and Cynthia Erivo. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Elaine May for an upcoming event.
VIDEO
Elaine May Videos
NEWS
Elaine May News
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Elaine May reveals new depth of acting agility in Broadway's ...
That performer is Elaine May, better known for her comedy — as half of the legendary act she performed way back when with the late Mike Nichols — than for ...
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Elaine May Deserves 10 Different Kinds of Comebacks, but The ...
It's been over 50 years since the public last saw Elaine May—the sterling writer, comedian, and filmmaker—on the Broadway stage. It was in 1961, in An ...
FAQS
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How do I book Elaine May to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Elaine May for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Elaine May, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Elaine May or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Elaine May for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Elaine May, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $50,000 - $100,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Elaine May, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Elaine May speak about?
Elaine May is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Performing Arts, Celebrity, Women in Entertainment, Comedian, Actor, Jewish Heritage, Entertainment, Television & Film and Influential Women. -
Where does Elaine May travel from?
Elaine May generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Elaine May?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Elaine May for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Elaine May for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Elaine May or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
