News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Lynn Nottage Headshot

Lynn Nottage

Get Lynn Nottage Email Alerts

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

BIO

Lynn Nottage is a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and a screenwriter. Her plays have been produced widely in the United States and throughout the world.



Plays include Sweat (Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Obie Award, Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Evening Standard Award; Tony, Drama Desk award nominations); Ruined (Pulitzer Prize for Drama, New York Drama Critics Circle, DD, Outer Critics Circle, Lortel, Obie, and Audelco awards for Best Play); Floyd’s (Guthrie); Mlima’s Tale (The Public); By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Lilly Award, DD nom); Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine (Obie Award; DD, Lortel award noms); Crumbs from the Table of Joy; Las Meninas; Mud, River, Stone; Por’knockers; and POOF!; as well as the book for the musical adaption of The Secret Life of Bees (Atlantic).

TV: She’s Gotta Have It (writer/producer). PEN/Laura Pels Master Dramatist Award, Doris Duke Artist Award, American Academy of Arts and Letters Award, MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship, a Guggenheim Grant, Lucille Lortel Fellowship, Visiting Research Fellowship at Princeton. Associate professor at Columbia. Member of the Dramatists Guild.

Photos

Productions

 
[West End, 2024]
Writer
 
[Broadway, 2023] Cancelled
Book Writer
 
[Broadway, 2021] [Replacement]
Writer[Replacement]

Writing

Playwright
Lyricist
Playwright
Playwright
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Book of a Musical

Lynn Nottage, MJ the Musical

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Lynn Nottage, The Secret Life of Bees


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Lynn Nottage, The Secret Life of Bees

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Play

Lynn Nottage, Sweat


winner
Obie Awards - 2017 - Playwrighting

Lynn Nottage, Sweat


winner
The Lortels - 2017 - Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee

Lynn Nottage, Lynn Nottage


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2017 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Lynn Nottage, Sweat

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Play

Lynn Nottage, Sweat

Evening Standard Awards - 2014 - Best Play

Lynn NottageIntimate Apparel

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Play

Lynn Nottage, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Play

Lynn Nottage, Ruined


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Best Play

Lynn Nottage, Ruined


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Best Play

Lynn Nottage , Ruined


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2009 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Lynn Nottage, Ruined


winner
Obie Awards - 2005 - Playwriting

Lynn Nottage, Fabulation


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Best Play

Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel

Videos

News


Review: MJ THE MUSICAL at Providence Performing Arts Center

Providence Performing Arts Center brings The King of Pop back to life with its dazzling, colorful, energetic production of ‘MJ The Musical,’ a portrait of the legendary entertainer, Michael Jackson, featuring a sampling of his greatest hits, unforgettable dance moves, a glimpse at his troubled personal life, and his rise from child prodigy to superstardom.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS Licensing Available to High Schools Through Broadway Licensing

Water for Elephants is now available for licensing exclusively to high schools. This exciting opportunity allows high schools to stage the show beginning in early fall 2025, alongside the launch of the musical’s First National Tour.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD & More Set for Broadway in Atlanta 2025/2026 Season

The Atlanta premiere of the six-time Tony Award winning HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD will anchor the 2025/2026 Broadway in Atlanta season at the Fox Theatre. See the full lineup and learn more.
Review: CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY Comes To Moving Life At Lyric Stage Boston

What did our critic think of CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY at Lyric Stage Boston?
The Museum of Broadway to Present Exhibit Showcasing Black Storytellers of Broadway

The Museum of Broadway will present a new special exhibit to celebrate and showcase the work of Black storytellers of Broadway, past and present: Crafting Excellence: Black Storytellers of Broadway. Learn more.
WICKED, KIMBERLY AKIMBO And More Announced for 2025-26 Broadway In Birmingham Season

The American Theatre Guild has announced the 25–26 Season for the BJCC Concert Hall. The 25–26 BROADWAY IN BIRMINGHAM Series will include WICKED, CLUE, KIMBERLY AKIMBO, MJ, & JULIET and MRS. DOUBTFIRE.
John Douglas Thompson To Be Honored At Red Bull Theater Benefit

Red Bull Theater has announced that John Douglas Thompson will be presented with the Matador Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Classical Theater at the Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit.
MJ THE MUSICAL Comes To Wharton Center In February

MJ the Musical, chronicling the life and career of Michael Jackson, will make its East Lansing premiere at Wharton Center on Tuesday, February 11, through Sunday, February 16.
Lynn Nottage's CLYDE'S Arrives At The Rep Feb 5 - March 3

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis will present the St. Louis premiere of Clyde's, the Tony-nominated hit by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage, running February 5 – March 3, 2025, at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University.
BLUES IN THE NIGHT to Open at Arizona Theatre Company in January

Arizona Theatre Company will welcome in 2025 with the Tony Award- nominated musical Blues in the Night by Sheldon Epps. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK to be Presented at Kentwood Players

Kentwood Players will present By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage, at the Westchester Playhouse. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
MJ THE MUSICAL Comes To Jacksonville This April

Individual tickets for the smash-hit musical, MJ, are now on sale. MJ makes its Jacksonville premiere at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts April 22-27, 2025.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis To Present ATHENA by Gracie Gardner

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis will present Athena by Gracie Gardner as the second and final play in the 24/25 Steve Woolf Studio Series - Adventurous Theatre for Adventurous Theateregoers -  in the Emerson Studio of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University January 15 - February 9, 2025.
Cast & Creative Team Set for TWO TRAINS RUNNING at Hartford Stage

Hartford Stage has revealed the artistic team for its upcoming production of August Wilson's Two Trains Running directed by Gilbert McCauley. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: The Cast of MJ THE MUSICAL Performs 'ABC,' 'I Want You Back' & More in A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS

Last night during NBC's A Motown Christmas special, the cast of MJ the Musical took the stage to perform a medley of “ABC”, “The Love You Save” and “I Want You Back' from the Tony-award-winning musical. Watch the full performance here!
Tickets For MJ at Marcus Performing Arts Center to go on Sale This Week

Individual tickets for the musical MJ at Marcus Performing Arts Center will go on sale starting this week. He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson's unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Milwaukee in MJ. Learn more.
CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY Announced At Lyric Stage Boston

Lyric Stage Boston begins the new year with CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY, Lynn Nottage's touching portrait of a family longing to find the light and spark that has been dimmed in their everyday lives. 
Video: MJ Is Coming to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Nashville as MJ, the multi-Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Watch a video preview now!
Jamaal Fields-Green To Join MJ THE MUSICAL West End This January

Jamaal Fields-Green will take over the role of ‘MJ’ in the smash hit London production of MJ The Musical.
LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix, Kara Young & More Will Star in PURPOSE on Broadway

Complete casting has been announced for the highly-anticipated Broadway transfer of Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s production of Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ new play, PURPOSE. Check out who has joined the cast!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Lynn Nottage written?

Lynn Nottage has written 12 shows including MJ (Bookwriter), Crumbs from the Table of Joy (Playwright), Por'Knockers (Playwright), Mud, River, Stone (Playwright), Intimate Apparel (Playwright), Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine (Playwright), The Antigone Project (Playwright), Ruined (Lyricist), By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Playwright), In Your Arms (Story), Sweat (Playwright), Intimate Apparel (Libretto).

What awards has Lynn Nottage been nominated for?

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Intimate Apparel, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Intimate Apparel, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for MJ the Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweat, Playwrighting (Obie Awards) for Sweat, Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels) for Lynn Nottage, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Sweat, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Sweat, Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for Intimate Apparel, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for By the Way, Meet Vera Stark , Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Ruined, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ruined, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ruined, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Ruined, Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Fabulation, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Intimate Apparel and John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Intimate Apparel .

What awards has Lynn Nottage won?

Lynn Nottage has received several prestigious awards throughout her career. These include Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Sweat, and being a Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels). She won The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Sweat and also for Ruined. Additionally, she garnered Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Ruined and Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ruined. Other accolades include Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Fabulation, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Intimate Apparel, and the John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Intimate Apparel.

Get Lynn Nottage Email Alerts

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

Videos