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Adam Rapp

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BIO

Adam Rapp is an award-winning playwright and director. He is the author of numerous plays, which include Nocturne (American Repertory Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, The Almeida, London, The Traverse, Edinburgh), Faster (Rattlestick), Animals & Plants (A.R.T.), Finer Noble Gases(26th Humana Festival, Rattlestick, Edinburgh Fringe, The Bush, London), Stone Cold Dead Serious(A.R.T., Edge Theatre), Blackbird (The Bush, London; Edge Theatre), Gompers (Pittsburgh City Theatre, The Arcola, London), Essential Self-Defense (Playwrights Horizons/Edge Theatre), American Sligo(Rattlestick), Bingo with the Indians (The Flea), Kindness (Playwrights Horizons), The Metal Children (The Vineyard), The Hallway Trilogy (Rattlestick), The Edge of Our Bodies (36thHumana Festival), Dreams of Flying Dreams of Falling (The Atlantic), Wolf in the River (The Flea), The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois(The Atlantic), and Red Light Winter (Steppenwolf, Scott Rudin Productions at Barrow Street Theatre), for which he won Chicago's Jeff Award for Best New Work, an OBIE, and was named a finalist for the 2006 Pulitzer Prize.



In addition to helming his own work, he directed the world premiere of Karen O's psycho opera, Stop the Virgens, for The Creators Project at St. Ann's Warehouse, which was then selected for The Vivid Live Festival, where it sold out the Sydney Opera House for six performances. He also directed Sam Shepard's True West at Actors Theatre of Louisville, which went on to be named one of the 2012 Best Moments in Culture by Louisville's N.P.R. affiliate, WFPL. His production of Finer Noble Gases garnered a Fringe First Award at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he received The List's Best Newcomer Prize.

His playwriting honors include Boston's Elliot Norton Award, The Helen Merrill Prize, The 2006 Princess Grace Statue, a Lucille Lortel Playwright's Fellowship, The Benjamin H. Danks Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation Award.

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Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Author
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2012]
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[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Composer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director

Writing

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Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Book of a Musical

Adam Rapp, The Outsiders

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Play

Adam Rapp, The Sound Inside

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Music for a Play

Adam Rapp, Essential Self-Defense


winner
Obie Awards - 2007 - Voice Judges

Adam Rapp


winner
Obie Awards - 2006 - Special Citations

Adam Rapp, Red Light Winter

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2006 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

Adam Rapp, Red Light Winter

The Pulitzer Prize - 2006 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Adam Rapp., Red Light Winter

The Pulitzer Prize - 2006 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Adam Rapp, Red Light Winter

Videos

News


IAMA Theatre Company’s 7TH ANNUAL NEW WORKS FESTIVAL to Feature 8 New Plays

IAMA Theatre Company will host its 7th Annual New Works Festival this December, featuring eight new plays presented as staged readings. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Mandy Greenfield Launches Production Company Red Yes Studio

Theatrical producer Mandy Greenfield has launched her own independent production company, Red Yes Studio. The company aims to commission, develop, and produce bold new work for the stage and screen.
The Off Central Players Will Perform THE SOUND INSIDE

The Off Central Players fourth season will continue by featuring artistic associate Roxanne Fay in Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Rapp’s The Sound Inside. 
Chicago Premiere Of THE BERLIN DIARIES Begins At Open Space Arts This December

The Chicago premiere of THE BERLIN DIARIES has been announced at Open Space Arts.
Video: Watch the 'Hoods Turned Heroes' Music Video From THE OUTSIDERS

The Outsiders has dropped a new music video for 'Hoods Turned Heroes.' The new video features footage of Daryl Tofa, Jason Schmidt, and the cast of the Tony-winning musical recording the track in the studio, along with footage from the Broadway production.
THE OUTSIDERS to Partner With No Book Bans In Recognition of Banned Books Week

The Outsiders is partnering with the coalition No Book Bans in recognition of Banned Books Week, September 22-28, to shine a light on the Books Save Lives Act. See how to get involved with upcoming events at The Outsiders.
Photos: CABARET Stars Eddie Redmayne & Gayle Rankin Honored with Sardi's Portraits

Cabaret stars Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin were placed on the Sardi’s Walls of Broadway fame with portraits at an unveiling by Max Klimavicius, owner of Sardi’s. Check out photos from the event below!
THE OUTSIDERS on Broadway to Perform Thursday Matinees

The Outsiders on Broadway will be adding Thursday matinees to their performance schedule! Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
UTA Names Patrick Herold And Rachel Viola Co-Heads Of Theatre

UTA has named Patrick Herold and Rachel Viola co-heads of the agency’s theatre practice. Read more.
Catharsis Theatre Collective to Launch Inaugural Season With RED LIGHT WINTER

Catharsis Theatre Collective will launch its inaugural season in Hollywood with Adam Rapp's 'Red Light Winter'. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: Brody Grant & Emma Pittman Sing 'I Could Talk to You All Night' from THE OUTSIDERS

Greasers and socs are still at it at the Bernard B Jacobs Theatre, where Tony winning musical The Outsiders is running. Haven't made it to Broadway yet to see the new musical? Get a taste of the show's score with this music video for 'I Could Talk to You All Night' performed by Emma Pittman and Brody Grant.
West Coast Premiere Of CLARKSTON By Samuel D. Hunter to be Presented At The Echo Theater Company

The Echo Theater Company will present the West Coast premiere of CLARKSTON by Samuel D. Hunter. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: The Cast of THE OUTSIDERS Perform Medley on GOOD MORNING AMERICA

The cast of the Tony Award-winning musical The Outsiders appeared on Good Morning America on Tuesday, their first television appearance since winning the coveted Best Musical award in June. On the show, Brody Grant, Sky Lakota-Lynch, and more performed a medley consisting of the first two songs in the show, 'Tulsa '67' and 'Grease Got a Hold.' Watch the performance now!
THE OUTSIDERS Releases New Block of Tickets Through July 6, 2025

A new block of tickets has been released today for the Tony Award-winning Best Musical The Outsiders, based on the seminal novel by S.E. Hinton and Francis Ford Coppola's landmark motion picture, for performances through July 6, 2025. Find out how to get tickets here!
Review: THE SOUND INSIDE, Traverse Theatre

An Ivy League creative writing professor is captivated by a brilliant, rebellious freshman student. Delicate, provocative, bursting with wit - so begins the story of two outsiders on the threshold of breaking an indelible taboo.
Photos: THE OUTSIDERS Cast Signs Original Broadway Cast Recording at Barnes & Noble

The Outsiders released their original cast recording on streaming on May 22nd, and physical CD on June 28th. The cast appeared at Barnes & Noble to sign albums yesterday, July 25th to celebrate the release. Check out photos here!
Video: THE OUTSIDERS Star Ralph Macchio Talks 'Wonderful' Broadway Musical

Ralph Macchio, star of the 1983 film adaptation of The Outsiders, visited Live With Kelly and Mark on Tuesday. On the talk show, he shared his thoughts about the Broadway musical, which is currently playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Watch the interview!
Video: Joshua Boone Records 'Little Brother' from THE OUTSIDERS

Watch Joshua Boone record 'Little Brother' from The Outsiders in the video here!
Ancram Center For The Arts to Present Cabaret Star Rizo This Month

Cabaret superstar Rizo will perform at Ancramdale's Circa 1799 Barn, featuring a mix of comedy, burlesque, rock ‘n’ roll, and glamour. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
BroadwayCon 2024 FIRST LOOK AND SHOWCASE To Include THE NOTEBOOK, A WONDERFUL WORLD, and More

BroadwayCon has revealed the lineup for its First Look and Showcase, treating attendees to performances from some of the newest and most talked-about shows on stage this year. BroadwayCon 2024 First Look and Showcase will take place Friday, July 21, 2023.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Adam Rapp written?

Adam Rapp has written 12 shows including Nocturne (Playwright), Faster (Playwright), Red Light Winter (Playwright), The 24 Hour Plays 2006 (Playwright), Essential Self-Defense (Playwright), Kindness (Playwright), Dreams of Flying Dreams of Falling (Playwright), Through The Yellow Hour (Playwright), The Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois (Playwright), The Edge of Our Bodies (Playwright), The Sound Inside (Playwright), The Outsiders (Book).

What awards has Adam Rapp been nominated for?

Adam Rapp has received several nominations and awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for The Outsiders. He also received a nomination for Best Play at the Tony Awards for The Sound Inside. Additionally, he was nominated for Outstanding Music for a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Essential Self-Defense. Rapp earned Voice Judges recognition at the Obie Awards and received Special Citations at the Obie Awards for Red Light Winter. He was nominated for the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Red Light Winter as well. Furthermore, he was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Red Light Winter.

What awards has Adam Rapp won?

Adam Rapp has won the Voice Judges Award and Special Citations at the Obie Awards for his work on Red Light Winter.

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