Lauren Gunderson most produced living playwright in 2016 and 2017. Gunderson was awarded the Lanford Wilson award in 2016. Her play "I and You" was the winner of the 2014 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award, and a finalist for the 2014 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Forward Theater, located in Madison, Wisconsin, will stage "I and You" from November 2–19, 2017. Artists Repertory Theatre, located in Portland, Oregon, will stage "I and You" from May 20 to June 17, 2018. Gunderson's play "Exit, Pursued By A Bear" has been performed around the country, winning Best Comedy in Austin,
The Bear (play) about true love according to the different genders. Smirnov argues that women are incapable of loving "anybody except a lapdog", to which Popova argues that she wholeheartedly loved her husband although he cheated on her and disrespected her. The argument deteriorates into another shouting match about paying back the debt. During this argument Popova insults Smirnov by calling him a bear, amongst other names, saying, "You're a boor! A coarse bear! A Bourbon! A monster!" Smirnov, insulted, calls for a duel, not caring that Popova is a woman. Popova, in turn, enthusiastically agrees and goes off to get a pair