2001 DaimlerChrysler Dreambuilder Scribe Award Winner

Gail Parrish began writing plays while studying playwriting at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a degree in Afro-American Studies. She continued playwriting while earning a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Illinois, Chicago. She has worked as a director of race relations for organizations in Chicago and Detroit and currently coordinates race relations dialogues with the National Conference of Community and Justice in Detroit.

Ms. Parrish's plays have been staged by community and student theater groups. Elevator is her first produced screenplay. Gail's efforts have been supported by her husband Maurice, the executive vice-president of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and her children Theo, a music producer; Andrew, a film student; Brandon, a business student and Cara, a student and actress.