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Bruce Norris

Birth Place: Texas, USA

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BIO

Bruce Norris is the author of CLYBOURNE PARK, which won the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards (London) for Best Play, 2010, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 2011. Other plays include The Infidel (2000), Purple Heart (2002), We All Went Down to Amsterdam (2003), The Pain and the Itch (2004), The Unmentionables (2006) and A Parallelogram (2010) all of which had their premieres at Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago. His newest play, Domesticated, will be produced by Lincoln Center Theatre in 2013. His work has been seen at Playwrights Horizons (New York), Woolly Mammoth Theatre (Washington D.C.) n (Chicago), Philadelphia Theatre Company, and Staatstheater Mainz (Germany), among others. He is also the 2009 recipient of the Steinberg Playwright Award.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Chaucer in Rome
[Off-Broadway]
2001
Pete
Wrong Mountain
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Adam
La Terrasse
[Off-Broadway]
1999
Maurice
Marco Polo Sings a Solo
[Off-Broadway]
1998
Stony McBride
Plunge
[Off-Broadway]
1997
Matty Bonham
An American Daughter
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Morrow McCarthy
Sin
[Off-Broadway]
1995
Michael
The Arabian Nights
[Off-Broadway]
1994
Madman/Abu al-Hasan/Sage
Life During Wartime
[Off-Broadway]
1991
Tommy
What the Butler Saw
[Off-Broadway]
1989
Nicolas Beckett
The Debutante Ball
[Off-Broadway]
1988
Brighton Parker
Wenceslas Square
[Off-Broadway]
1988
Dooley
A Midsummer Night's Dream
[Off-Broadway]
1987
Demetrius
Biloxi Blues
[Broadway]
1985
Eugene Morris Jerome [Replacement]
Eugene Morris Jerome (Standby) [Replacement]

Productions

Clybourne Park Clybourne Park
 
[West End, 2022]
Writter
The Low RoadThe Low Road
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Playwright

Writing

Downstate
Playwright
Clybourne Park
Playwright
Domesticated
Playwright
A Parallelogram
Playwright

Movies

Class
[ 1983 ] Student
Reach the Rock
[ 1998 ] Ernie
A Civil Action
[ 1998 ] William Cheeseman
The Sixth Sense
[ 1999 ] Stanley Cunningham
State of the Artist
[ 2001 ] Rembrandt van Rijn
Imaginary Heroes
[ 2004 ] Mr. Barnes
Homecoming
[ 2005 ] Doctor Dave
All Good Things
[ 2010 ] Brian Callender
The Sea of Trees
[ 2015 ] Dr. Howerton

TV Shows

Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Richard Kramer, Victor Burke

Awards and Nominations


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Best Play

Bruce Norris, Downstate

The Lortels - 2023 - Outstanding Play

Bruce Norris, Downstate

Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Play

Bruce Norris, Domesticated

The Lortels - 2014 - Outstanding Play

Bruce Norris, Domesticated


winner
Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Play

Bruce Norris , Clybourne Park

Olivier Awards - 2011 - Best New Play

Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park


winner
Olivier Awards - 2011 - Master Card Best New Play

Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2011 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2007 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

Bruce Norris, The Pain and the Itch


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production

Bruce NorrisWenceslas Square

Videos

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News


Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Iconic Plays That Shaped American Theater Photo
Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Iconic Plays That Shaped American Theater
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 30, 2025

The Pulitzer Prize for Drama is one of the most prestigious honors in American theater, celebrating outstanding works that have made a significant impact on the stage. Here's a closer look at what the Pulitzer Prize for Drama is, how it works, and why it matters.
Scott Rudin is Planning to Return to Broadway Following Bad Behavior; New Plays Plann Photo
Scott Rudin is Planning to Return to Broadway Following Bad Behavior; New Plays Planned with Lane, Metcalf, Mantello & More
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2025

In 2021, amidst ongoing controversy and accusations of mistreatment, producer Scott Rudin stepped away from the theatre world. Now he is planning to make a return this year.
Full Cast Set For Imelda Staunton-Led MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION Photo
Full Cast Set For Imelda Staunton-Led MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2025

Full principal casting has been announced for the upcoming major revival of George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession, directed by Dominic Cooke.
How Glenn Davis Shepherded PURPOSE on Its Path to Broadway Photo
How Glenn Davis Shepherded PURPOSE on Its Path to Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 16, 2025

Glenn Davis had a huge part to play in the Purpose's journey, not only as a cast member in Chicago and now on Broadway, but as Steppenwolf's co-Artistic Director and the person behind pushing along its development in recent years.
Meet the Cast of GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, Now in Previews on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, Now in Previews on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2025

Good Night, and Good Luck is now in previews on Broadway,  The new play by George Clooney and Grant Heslov and directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer, stars Clooney in his Broadway debut. Meet the cast here!
Playwrights Horizons Announces Noah Silva As New General Manager Photo
Playwrights Horizons Announces Noah Silva As New General Manager
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 22, 2025

Playwrights Horizons has announced Noah Silva as the organization's new General Manager, with Carol Fishman departing the role after 17 impactful years.
Curious Theatre Company Will Present Regional Premiere of DOWNSTATE Photo
Curious Theatre Company Will Present Regional Premiere of DOWNSTATE
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 16, 2025

Curious Theatre Company will soon present the regional premiere of Downstate, a thought-provoking and timely new play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Bruce Norris (Clybourne Park).
Booking Open For Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter in MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION Photo
Booking Open For Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter in MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2025

General booking is now open for the upcoming revival of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession starring Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter, directed by Dominic Cooke.
CLYBOURNE PARK Begins Performances In February At Arvada Center Photo
CLYBOURNE PARK Begins Performances In February At Arvada Center
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 23, 2025

The Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities explores how the identity of a community changes over time with the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning satire Clybourne Park by playwright Bruce Norris. Directed by Kenny Moten, Clybourne Park opens February 14 in the Black Box Theatre.
Review: DOWNSTATE at Studio Theatre Photo
Review: DOWNSTATE at Studio Theatre
by Roger Catlin - Jan 16, 2025

Even after serving jail time, they get something of a life sentence with ankle bracelets monitoring every move, large swaths of the city cut off from them because of proximity to elementary schools, forced to live with no WiFi among people they probably wouldn’t have chosen and forever carry the scorn of passerby.
Playwrights Horizons Renames Mainstage 'The Judith O. Rubin Theater' After Longtime B Photo
Playwrights Horizons Renames Mainstage 'The Judith O. Rubin Theater' After Longtime Board Chair
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 29, 2024

Playwrights Horizons  has renamed its Mainstage Theater the Judith O. Rubin Theater,.
Meet the Cast of ROMEO + JULIET, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of ROMEO + JULIET, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2024

Sam Gold’s production of ROMEO + JULIET, starring Emmy Award winner Kit Connor and Golden Globe Award winner Rachel Zegler, begins previews tonight at the Circle in the Square Theatre. The production officially opens Thursday, October 24, 2024. Meet the cast of ROMEO + JULIET here!
Arvada Center 24/25 Season Tickets Now On Sale Photo
Arvada Center 24/25 Season Tickets Now On Sale
by Blair Ingenthron - Jun 30, 2024

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities 2024-2025 Theatre Season single tickets go on sale July 1.
Video: Sarah Paulson Accepts Tony Award For APPROPRIATE Photo
Video: Sarah Paulson Accepts Tony Award For APPROPRIATE
by Stephi Wild - Jun 17, 2024

Sarah Paulson won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for APPROPRIATE. Watch he acceptance speech in the video here.
APPROPRIATE's Sarah Paulson Wins 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress i Photo
APPROPRIATE's Sarah Paulson Wins 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
by - Jun 17, 2024

Sarah Paulson has won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for APPROPRIATE.
THE SCENARIOS World Premiere & More Set for Studio Theatre's 2024-2025 Season Photo
THE SCENARIOS World Premiere & More Set for Studio Theatre's 2024-2025 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 1, 2024

Discover the exciting lineup of extraordinary plays announced for STUDIO THEATRE's 2024-2025 season. Stay tuned for a theatrical experience like no other.
Industry Pro Newsletter: New Study Looks to the Preparedness of Arts Orgs to Face Fut Photo
Industry Pro Newsletter: New Study Looks to the Preparedness of Arts Orgs to Face Future Challenges
by Alex Freeman - Apr 8, 2024

In a sign of an industry on the rebound, Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles is getting ready to announce a return of programming at the Mark Taper Forum, where production was paused last year while the organization went through a budget crunch. Additionally, following the casting of a Black actress in the role of Juliet, an upcoming West End production of Romeo and Juliet from the Jamie Lloyd Company started dealing with racist backlash online - we’ll show you how the company responded.
Who Decides the New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards Photo
Who Decides the New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards?
by Cara Joy David - Apr 8, 2024

Two groups of critics (or, more precisely, one group of critics and one group of mostly critics) give theater awards each season. In this continuing series on theater’s awards, I look at the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards. 
CASEMENT to Play Theatre Rhinoceros This Week Photo
CASEMENT to Play Theatre Rhinoceros This Week
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 7, 2024

Join Theatre Rhinoceros and The Essential Services Project for the world premiere of CASEMENT, a live, in-person performance conceived and performed by John Fisher. This one-time event is free and open to all.
TRW Plays Acquires GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR and DOWNSTATE Photo
TRW Plays Acquires GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR and DOWNSTATE
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2024

TRW Plays, a division of Theatrical Rights Worldwide, has acquired the global licensing rights for two new plays by Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR by Doug Wright and DOWNSTATE by Bruce Norris. Learn more about both plays here!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Bruce Norris been in?

Bruce Norris has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Bruce Norris been in?

Bruce Norris has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Bruce Norris been nominated for?

Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Downstate, Outstanding Play (The Lortels) for Downstate, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Domesticated, Outstanding Play (The Lortels) for Domesticated, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Clybourne Park , Best New Play (Olivier Awards) for Clybourne Park, Master Card Best New Play (Olivier Awards) for Clybourne Park, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Clybourne Park, John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Clybourne Park, John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Pain and the Itch and Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Wenceslas Square.

What awards has Bruce Norris won?

Bruce Norris has won several prestigious awards, including: Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Downstate; Best Play at the Tony Awards for Clybourne Park; the MasterCard Best New Play at the Olivier Awards for Clybourne Park; the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Clybourne Park; and Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for Wenceslas Square.

How many shows has Bruce Norris written?

Bruce Norris has written 5 shows including The Pain and the Itch (Playwright), Clybourne Park (Playwright), Domesticated (Playwright), A Parallelogram (Playwright), The Tiger Who Came To Tea (Playwright).

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