Peter Weiss (1916–82) was a German playwright, novelist, filmmaker, and painter. His works include the play Marat/Sade and The New Trial and the novels The Shadow of the Body of the Coachman and The Conversation of the Three Walkers. Jon Swan is the author of two collections of poems and a collection of one-act plays. Carl Weber is Professor Emeritus of Directing and Dramaturgy at Stanford University.