Bess Wohl Headshot

Bess Wohl

Get Bess Wohl Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Bess Wohl BIO

Bess Wohl’s plays include SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS (featured in top ten lists in The New York Times, The Guardian, New York Post, and others, currently on a national tour), AMERICAN HERO, BARCELONA (multiple Ovation Award nominations), TOUCHED, IN, CATS TALK BACK and PRETTY FILTHY, in collaboration with Michael Friedman and The Civilians (Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Musical). Her newest play, CONTINUITY, was recently developed at Chicago’s Goodman Theater as part of the New Stages festival.

She also writes for film and television and her film, IRREPLACEABLE YOU, premiered on Netflix in February of 2018, starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Christopher Walken, Kate McKinnon and Steve Coogan. She won an Athena Award for her original screenplay, VIRGINIA and her screenplay, IN, was included on Hollywood’s Black List of best scripts. She has developed original television projects for HBO, ABC, USA, FOX and others.

Her plays have been produced or developed at theaters in New York and around the country, including Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club, Ars Nova, The Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Geffen Playhouse, Goodman Theater, People’s Light and Theatre Company, The Contemporary American Theater Festival, Vineyard Arts Project, The Pioneer Theatre, The Pittsburgh Public Theater, The Northlight Theater, TheaterWorks New Works Fesitval, Ojai Playwright's Conference, the Cape Cod Theatre Project, PlayPenn and the New York International Fringe Festival (Award for Best Overall Production).

In 2015, Bess won the Sam Norkin special Drama Desk Award for “establishing herself as an important voice in New York theater.” Other awards include the John Gassner Outer Critics Circle Award. She currently holds new play commissions from Lincoln Center, Manhattan Theater Club, Second Stage, The Williamstown Theatre Festival and Hartford Stage. She is a MacDowell fellow, an associate artist with the New York based investigative theater troupe, The Civilians, and an alumna of Ars Nova’s Play Group.

In her previous life as an actress, Bess appeared onstage in New York and regionally, and in numerous films and TV shows where she has given birth, solved crimes, committed crimes, been wrongly accused, and come back from the dead.

She is a graduate of Harvard and the Yale School of Drama.

Bess Wohl Photos

Bess Wohl STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Alegra

Bess Wohl Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Playwright

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright

Bess Wohl Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Play

Bess Wohl, Grand Horizons


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - John Gassner Award

Bess Wohl, Small Mouth Sounds


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award

Bess WohlAmerican Hero, Pretty Filthy, Small Mouth Sounds

Bess Wohl Videos

Bess Wohl News


Honest Pint Theatre Co. to Present Regional Premiere of Bess Wohl's GRAND HORIZONS


Honest Pint Theatre Company will present the regional premiere of GRAND HORIZONS, a play by Bess Wohl, directed by Susannah Hough, from May 17 - June 1, 2024. Learn more about the production here!

Review: GRAND HORIZONS by Bess Wohl at HOWICK LITTLE THEATRE


What did our critic think of GRAND HORIZONS at HOWICK LITTLE THEATRE? 50 years – it’s a milestone in any marriage! Thousands of meals eaten together, years of dealing with everything marriage, cohabitation and parenthood can throw at you … Superbly directed with expertise by Penel Keegan with her eye for precision in detail, timing and well-crafted staging, Excellent from the entire cast with all the characters  played with physical and psychological truth, motivational credibility, well-shaped dialogue, and vivid facial expression.

Bennett Leak Will Be Second Stage Theater's Interim Artistic Director


Second Stage Theater has announced that Bennett Leak, Second Stage Theater's Director of Artistic Production, has been named Interim Artistic Director for the 2024-25 Season.

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM US Premiere Extends At Connelly Theater Upstairs


THE ANIMAL KINGDOM, a quietly galvanizing play produced and directed by Jack Serio, extends its run at Connelly Theater Upstairs. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Roundabout Now Accepting Applications for Directing Fellowship & Directors Group


Roundabout Theatre Company is now accepting applications for two of the institution’s signature Artists-in-Residence programs. Learn details and see how to apply!

Second Stage to Present the World Premiere of Alexis Scheer's BREAKING THE STORY


Second Stage Theater will present the world premiere production of a new play by Alexis Scheer, BREAKING THE STORY.

Roundabout Theatre Company Reveals 2024 Underground Reading Series


Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed the 2024 Roundabout Underground Reading Series, a five-night event that includes nightly readings of new works written by emerging artists, with post-show receptions.

Photos: Stars Turn Out For Opening Night of PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC


The Manhattan Theatre Club production of Prayer for the French Republic has officially opened on Broadway! The play opened last night, January 9, at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. BroadwayWorld is taking you on the red carpet at the production's opening with Donna Murphy, Tyne Daly, LaChanze and more. Check out photos below!

Roundabout's 2024-2025 Season Will Include New Orleans-Style PIRATES OF PENZANCE with Ramin Karimloo and David Hyde Pierce, YELLOW FACE Starring Daniel Dae Kim, and More


Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced the 2024-2025 season on Broadway and Off-Broadway, including initial casting. Check out all of the details here!

Alex Timbers to be Honored at Ars Nova's Nova Ball


Ars Nova will honor Tony & Golden Globe winner Alex Timbers at Nova Ball, Ars Nova’s annual benefit-turned-party of the season.

A Guide to the Broadway Actors in MAESTRO; Who Michael Urie, Jordan Dobson & More Play in Bradley Cooper's Leonard Bernstein Film


Bradley Cooper's Maestro is now streaming on Netflix, following the life of composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. The film delves into the life of the composer, who wrote Broadway classics like West Side Story, On the Town, and Candide. Check out a guide to Broadway stars in Maestro, including Michael Urie, Matt Bomer, Jordan Dobson, and more!

Nimene Wureh Joins the Cast of Second Stage's Production of THE APIARY


Nimene Wureh will join the cast of Kate Douglas’ THE APIARY, directed by Kate Whoriskey at Second Stage Theater.

Cast & Creative Team Announced For World Premiere Of Dave Malloy's THREE HOUSES


Signature Theatre announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere production of Dave Malloy's Three Houses, directed and choreographed by Annie Tippe. The musical will feature J.D. Mollison, Mia Pak, Margo Seibert, Henry Stram, Scott Stangland, and Ching Valdes-Aran. Performances begin on April 30, 2024.

Second Stage Theater to Present Reading of New Musical EIGHTY-SIXED


Second Stage Theater will present a one-night-only reading of the new musical EIGHTY-SIXED, which will kick off the NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL on January 16, 2024 at Second Stage’s Tony Kiser Theater.

Laura Benanti, Charlie Day, Kathryn Hahn & More to Join 2024 Williamstown Theatre Festival Gala


Get all the details on the star-studded 2024 WTF Gala, featuring Laura Benanti, Charlie Day, Kathryn Hahn, and more. Mark your calendars for this unforgettable event showcasing an incredible lineup of talent.

Sara Bareilles, Grace McLean, John Behlmann & More to Join ISAAC OLIVER'S LONELY CHRISTMAS at Ars Nova


Ars Nova has revealed an all-star lineup of special guest artists for Isaac Oliver’s Lonely Christmas, a benefit to support Ars Nova. Learn how to purchase tickets!

APPROPRIATE Starring Sarah Paulson & More Extends on Broadway Through Early March


Second Stage Theater’s production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ APPROPRIATE, directed by Lila Neugebauer, has extended three weeks. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Taylor Schilling, Gabby Beans & More to Star in THE APIARY at Second Stage Theater


Second Stage Theater has unveiled the complete cast for its upcoming world premiere production of Kate Douglas’ THE APIARY, directed by Kate Whoriskey.

The Tank to Present Luis Roberto Herrera's AS I EAT THE WORLD This Month


The Tank will present As I Eat the World, written and performed by Luis Roberto Herrera and directed by Scout Davis. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Ars Nova Unveils November & December Events Including Isaac Oliver's LONELY CHRISTMAS, SHOWGASM & More


Check out the exciting lineup of November and December events announced by Ars Nova, including benefit performances of Isaac Oliver's Lonely Christmas on December 11 and 12. Get your tickets now!

Bess Wohl FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Bess Wohl written?

Bess Wohl has written 4 shows including Small Mouth Sounds (Playwright), Continuity (Playwright), Make Believe (Playwright), Grand Horizons (Playwright).

What awards has Bess Wohl been nominated for?

Bess Wohl has been nominated for several awards, including Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Grand Horizons," the John Gassner Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Small Mouth Sounds," and the Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award at the Drama Desk Awards for "American Hero," "Pretty Filthy," and "Small Mouth Sounds."

What awards has Bess Wohl won?

Bess Wohl has won the John Gassner Award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Small Mouth Sounds" and the Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award from the Drama Desk Awards for "American Hero," "Pretty Filthy," and "Small Mouth Sounds."

Get Bess Wohl Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos