Early 20th Century:
* George Bernard Shaw: A British playwright known for his witty dialogue and satirical social commentary. ("Pygmalion," "Man and Superman")
* Anton Chekhov: A Russian playwright known for his melancholic and realistic portrayals of human relationships. ("Uncle Vanya," "The Cherry Orchard")
* Henrik Ibsen: A Norwegian playwright considered the father of modern drama, known for his realistic and psychological portrayals of social issues. ("A Doll's House," "Ghosts")
* Luigi Pirandello: An Italian playwright known for his absurdist and experimental plays that explored the nature of reality and identity. ("Six Characters in Search of an Author," "Right You Are If You Think You Are")
* Eugene O'Neill: An American playwright known for his intense and psychological dramas that dealt with themes of family, addiction, and the American dream. ("Long Day's Journey Into Night," "The Iceman Cometh")
* Arthur Miller: An American playwright known for his plays that explored themes of justice, guilt, and the American dream. ("Death of a Salesman," "The Crucible")
Mid 20th Century:
* Tennessee Williams: An American playwright known for his lyrical and poetic dramas that explored themes of desire, sexuality, and the Southern Gothic. ("A Streetcar Named Desire," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof")
* Samuel Beckett: An Irish playwright known for his absurdist and existential plays that explored themes of alienation, isolation, and the meaninglessness of life. ("Waiting for Godot," "Endgame")
* Jean-Paul Sartre: A French philosopher and playwright known for his existentialist plays that explored themes of freedom, responsibility, and the human condition. ("No Exit," "The Flies")
* Bertolt Brecht: A German playwright known for his epic theatre, which aimed to challenge audiences' perceptions of reality and encourage political action. ("Mother Courage and Her Children," "The Threepenny Opera")
Late 20th Century:
* Edward Albee: An American playwright known for his absurdist and often dark comedies that explored themes of family, identity, and communication. ("Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," "The Zoo Story")
* David Mamet: An American playwright known for his gritty and realistic dialogue that explored themes of power, betrayal, and the American underclass. ("Glengarry Glen Ross," "American Buffalo")
* Neil Simon: An American playwright known for his witty and often sentimental comedies. ("The Odd Couple," "Barefoot in the Park")
* August Wilson: An American playwright known for his cycle of ten plays that chronicled the African American experience in the 20th century. ("Fences," "The Piano Lesson")
* Tony Kushner: An American playwright known for his epic and often politically charged plays, such as "Angels in America."
This is just a small selection of the many talented playwrights who emerged in the 20th century. Their work continues to be performed and studied today, offering insights into the human condition and the challenges of the modern world.