Maria Striar (producing artistic director, founder) helped found Clubbed Thumb in 1996, and has been on its staff since. Up until 2004 she directed and performed in many of the company’s shows. She still performs upon occasion with other downtown companies. Maria conceived and edited 2007’s Funny, Strange, Provocative: Seven Plays from Clubbed Thumb. She received her B.A. from Brown University and her M.F.A. from the University of California, San Diego.