Keynote

Stephen is an author, director, and screenwriter. He is best known for his award-winning adaptation of his debut novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (GLAAD, Independent Spirit, People’s Choice, WGA nominee). The novel spent over two years on the New York Times Bestseller list and enjoyed the distinction of being Number 10 on the most banned books in America list for 2000 – 2009. He co-wrote the screenplay for Disney’s live action Beauty and the Beast as well as the film adaptation of RJ Palacio’s Wonder, starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, which he also directed. His first feature, The Four Corners of Nowhere, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of Rent and co-created the post-apocalyptic TV drama, Jericho. His second novel, Imaginary Friend, was published October 2019 and was an instant New York Times best-seller.

He is currently in post-production on the feature film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen.