William Inge, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, was born and raised in Independence. Each year Independence Community College hosts a three-day festival to honor him as well as other nationally known playwrights. Past honorees include Arthur Miller and Neil Simon.
Inge�s works include the plays “Picnic” and “Bus Stop”, and the Academy Award winning movie, “Splendor in the Grass”. The William Inge Collection, at the college, is the most extensive exhibit of his works in existence.
