News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Adam Rapp Headshot

Adam Rapp

read more news

Get Adam Rapp Email Alerts

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

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.

Photos

Productions

NocturneNocturne
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Author
The Purple Lights of Joppa IllinoisThe Purple Lights of Joppa Illinois
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Director
Through The Yellow HourThrough The Yellow Hour
 
[Off-Broadway, 2012]
Director
Kindness
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Director
Essential Self-Defense
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Composer
Red Light Winter
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director

Writing

Nocturne
Playwright
Kindness
Playwright
Faster
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright

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

More Videos

News


Ensemble Theatre Presents THE SOUND INSIDE Beginning In April Photo
Ensemble Theatre Presents THE SOUND INSIDE Beginning In April
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 20, 2025

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati will present the haunting psychological thriller The Sound Inside that will leave you wondering who you can trust. This drama by Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Rapp (Red Light Winter) is playing April 5–27, 2025.
THE OUTSIDERS to be Presented in BroadwaySF's 2026/27 Season Photo
THE OUTSIDERS to be Presented in BroadwaySF's 2026/27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 19, 2025

THE OUTSIDERS, winner of four 2024 Tony Awards—including Best Musical—will anchor BroadwaySF’s 2026/27 season. Learn more about the production here!
HELL'S KITCHEN, THE OUTSIDERS, and More Set For Denver Center's 2025/26 Broadway Seas Photo
HELL'S KITCHEN, THE OUTSIDERS, and More Set For Denver Center's 2025/26 Broadway Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 19, 2025

Denver Center for the Performing Arts Broadway and Cabaret have announced the 2025/26 subscription season and added attractions. The subscription season kicks off with Shucked. Learn more here!
THE OUTSIDERS, MAMMA MIA! And More Set for 2025/2026 Broadway Season Photo
THE OUTSIDERS, MAMMA MIA! And More Set for 2025/2026 Broadway Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 13, 2025

Get full details for the upcomiing Tulsa Broadway season. THE OUTSIDERS launches its First National Tour this October. The seminal novel by Tulsa native S.E. Hinton comes home to the city that inspired it after winning four 2024 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
THE OUTSIDERS Tour is Coming to Chicago in February Photo
THE OUTSIDERS Tour is Coming to Chicago in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 13, 2025

Broadway In Chicago will present 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. Learn how to purchase tickets.
THE NOTEBOOK, HADESTOWN & More Come To The Fabulous Fox for the 2025-26 Season Photo
THE NOTEBOOK, HADESTOWN & More Come To The Fabulous Fox for the 2025-26 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 13, 2025

The Fabulous Fox has unveiled its 2025-2026 Broadway season, featuring the Tony Award winning production of LIFE OF PI, a love story for the ages in THE NOTEBOOK, and more.
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!
WICKED and More Set for Des Moines Performing Arts 25-26 Season Photo
WICKED and More Set for Des Moines Performing Arts 25-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 4, 2025

Des Moines Performing Arts has revealed new engagements headed to the Des Moines Civic Center as part of the 2025 - 26 Willis Broadway Series. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
THE OUTSIDERS, THE GREAT GATSBY, and More Set For Texas Performing Arts' 25-26 Broadw Photo
THE OUTSIDERS, THE GREAT GATSBY, and More Set For Texas Performing Arts' 25-26 Broadway in Austin Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2025

Texas Performing Arts’ 2025-2026 Broadway in Austin Season will include Tony Award–winning Best Musicals, five Austin premieres and the return of fan favorites. Learn more about the full season here!
THE OUTSIDERS, & JULIET and More Set for Broadway In Richmond New Season Photo
THE OUTSIDERS, & JULIET and More Set for Broadway In Richmond New Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2025

Presenter Nederlander National Markets has revealed the line-up for the 2025 - 2026 Broadway In Richmond six-show subscription series, including The Outsiders and more. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
THE GREAT GATSBY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and More Set for 25/26 Broadway In Boston Season Photo
THE GREAT GATSBY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and More Set for 25/26 Broadway In Boston Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 26, 2025

The 2025/2026 Broadway In Boston Season at the Citizens Opera House and the Emerson Colonial Theatre has been revealed, including The Great Gatsby and more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
THE OUTSIDERS, KIMBERLY AKIMBO, And More Announced for Broadway In Louisville 2025-20 Photo
THE OUTSIDERS, KIMBERLY AKIMBO, And More Announced for Broadway In Louisville 2025-2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 26, 2025

PNC Broadway in Louisville has announced its 2025-2026 Season which boasts five Louisville premieres including the 2024 Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE OUTSIDERS.
THE OUTSIDERS Releases New Block of Tickets Photo
THE OUTSIDERS Releases New Block of Tickets
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 24, 2025

Broadway's The Outsiders has released of a new block of single tickets for performances through January 4, 2026 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
THE OUTSIDERS Joins Playhouse Square 25-26 Broadway Season Photo
THE OUTSIDERS Joins Playhouse Square 25-26 Broadway Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 19, 2025

Playhouse Square has revealed that The Outsiders, winner of the 2024 Tony Award for Best Musical, is the final title on their seven show Broadway Series 2025-2026 lineup. See the full lineup and learn more.
Mary-Louise Parker and David Alan Grier Join ELSBETH Season 2 as Guest Stars Photo
Mary-Louise Parker and David Alan Grier Join ELSBETH Season 2 as Guest Stars
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 18, 2025

Tony winners Mary-Louise Parker and David Alan Grier are the latest performers to guest star in the CBS crime series, joining an ever-growing list of Broadway alums.
Manhattan Theatre Club Reveals 2025 Ted Snowdon Reading Series Lineup Photo
Manhattan Theatre Club Reveals 2025 Ted Snowdon Reading Series Lineup
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2025

Manhattan Theatre Club has revealed the lineup for the 2025 Ted Snowdon Reading Series. Performances include How to Draw a Triangle By Jake Brasch, directed by Colm Summers and more. Learn more about the lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
THE GREAT GATSBY and More Set for Broadway at the Hobby Center 2025-2026 Season Photo
THE GREAT GATSBY and More Set for Broadway at the Hobby Center 2025-2026 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 11, 2025

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts has revealed the 2025-2026 Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center Season featuring six Houston premieres and the return of audience favorites. Learn more!
ONE JEWISH BOY West Coast Premiere To Open Echo Theater Company's 2025 Season Photo
ONE JEWISH BOY West Coast Premiere To Open Echo Theater Company's 2025 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 11, 2025

Navigating any relationship is difficult enough. What happens when you factor in politics and rising prejudice? Echo Theater Company will present the West Coast premiere of One Jewish Boy by British playwright Stephen Laughton, a biting, bittersweet story of two young people in love confronted with the world's unpredictable cruelty.
Alex Joseph Grayson Will Take Over as 'Dallas' in THE OUTSIDERS Photo
Alex Joseph Grayson Will Take Over as 'Dallas' in THE OUTSIDERS
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 10, 2025

Alex Joseph Grayson (Parade, Into the Woods) will begin performances as “Dallas Winston” on Friday, February 28th at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Joshua Boone played his final performance in the role on Sunday, January 26th.
THE OUTSIDERS to Hold Open Casting Call For Ponyboy Curtis & Johnny Cade Photo
THE OUTSIDERS to Hold Open Casting Call For Ponyboy Curtis & Johnny Cade
by Michael Major - Feb 7, 2025

The Outsiders will hold an open casting call for the roles of Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade this month. The call is for the national tour, as well as future Broadway replacements. Looking to join the Broadway or touring productions? Find out how to audition!
More News

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?

Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Outsiders, Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Sound Inside, Outstanding Music for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Essential Self-Defense, Voice Judges (Obie Awards), Special Citations (Obie Awards) for Red Light Winter, John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Red Light Winter , The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Red Light Winter and The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Red Light Winter.

What awards has Adam Rapp won?

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

Get Adam Rapp Email Alerts

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

Videos