Elliott Hayes was born on June 22, 1956 in Stratford, Ontario. Hayes was a playwright from a heavily theatre influenced family with his grandfather and father both being actors. His family played a large role in preserving the old city hall in Stratford as well as the gallery in the city. Hayes worked for many years in Hollywood before returning to Stratford in 1981 where he was the Stratford Festival's literary manager, assistant director, and lyricist. In his short career, Hayes created several short stories, poems, and plays such as "Homeward Bound". He died February 22, 1994.