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Suzan-Lori Parks Headshot

Suzan-Lori Parks

Birth Place: Kentucky, USA

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Productions

The Gershwins' Porgy and BessThe Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Bookwriter
Golden Boy
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Adaptation

Writing

Fucking A
Composer
Lyricist
Fucking A
Playwright
Bookwriter
White Noise
Playwright
Bookwriter

Movies

Girl 6
[ 1996 ] writer
The Making of Plus One
[ 2010 ] Skye Brown - the director
The United States vs. Billie Holiday
[ 2021 ] writer

Awards and Nominations

The Lortels - 2024 - Outstanding Play

Suzan-Lori Parks, Plays For The Plague Year


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Music in a Play

Suzan-Lori Parks, Plays for the Plague Year

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Suzan-Lori Parks, The Harder They Come


winner
Obie Awards - 2019 - Playwriting Award

Suzan-Lori Parks, White Noise


winner
The Lortels - 2016 - Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee

Suzan-Lori Parks


winner
Obie Awards - 2015 - Playwriting

Suzan-Lori Parks, Father Comes Home From the Wars Parts I, II, & III


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Play

Suzan-Lori Parks, Topdog/Underdog


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

Suzan-Lori Parks , Topdog / Underdog


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2002 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Suzan-Lori Parks, Topdog/Underdog

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Play

Suzan-Lori Parks, Topdog/Underdog

The Pulitzer Prize - 2000 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Suzan-Lori ParksIn The Blood

The Pulitzer Prize - 2000 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Suzan-Lori ParksIn the Blood


winner
Obie Awards - 1998 - Guest Judges

Suzan-Lori Parks


winner
Obie Awards - 1996 - Playwriting

Suzan-Lori Parks, Venus


winner
Obie Awards - 1990 - Best New American Play

Suzan-Lori ParksImperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom

Videos

More Videos

News


Review: TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Actor's Express Photo
Review: TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Actor's Express
by Jennifer Skura Boutell - Apr 18, 2025

What did our critic think of TOPDOG UNDERDOG at Actor's Express?
Roger Q. Mason's CALIFORNIA STORY To Premiere With Outside In Theatre Photo
Roger Q. Mason's CALIFORNIA STORY To Premiere With Outside In Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 16, 2025

Roger Q. Mason will receive the World Premiere of their play California Story with Outside in Theatre at LACC's Caminito Theatre. Learn
Lisa Kron to Pen New Stage Adaptation of YENTL Photo
Lisa Kron to Pen New Stage Adaptation of YENTL
by Joshua Wright - Apr 15, 2025

A new musical adaptation of Yentl the Yeshiva Boy is in development, with a book and lyrics by Lisa Kron and music by Adam Benzwi. The production is part of the Civis Hope Commissions at the Fisher Center at Bard.
Spotlight: THE BOOK OF GRACE at Steppenwolf Photo
Spotlight: THE BOOK OF GRACE at Steppenwolf
by BWW Special Offer - Apr 15, 2025

The Book of Grace is Open at Steppenwolf!
CALIFORNIA STORY First Play In Roger Q. Mason's Califas Trilogy to Premiere At Camini Photo
CALIFORNIA STORY First Play In Roger Q. Mason's Califas Trilogy to Premiere At Caminito Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 14, 2025

California Story, the first play in Roger Q. Mason's Califas Trilogy, will premiere at Caminito Theater at Los Angeles City College on May 12, 2025. Directed by Michael Alvarez, the production features an outstanding cast, including Aphrodite Armstrong, Camila Arteche, Davi Santos, Gracie Cartier, Morgan Day, Sawyer Shine, and Peter Mendoza.
Photos: Steppenwolf Theatre Company Celebrates Opening Night of THE BOOK OF GRACE Photo
Photos: Steppenwolf Theatre Company Celebrates Opening Night of THE BOOK OF GRACE
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 10, 2025

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is continuing its 49th season with the Chicago premiere of The Book of Grace, an incendiary tug-of-war between family and freedom by Suzan-Lori Parks. Check out photos from inside opening night here.
Video: THE BOOK OF GRACE Opens at Steppenwolf Theatre Photo
Video: THE BOOK OF GRACE Opens at Steppenwolf Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Apr 9, 2025

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is continuing its 49th season with the Chicago premiere of The Book of Grace, an incendiary tug-of-war between family and freedom by Suzan-Lori Parks, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Topdog/Underdog. Check out video of the production!
Review: THE BOOK OF GRACE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company Photo
Review: THE BOOK OF GRACE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Rachel Weinberg - Apr 7, 2025

I usually appreciate when plays show and don’t tell, but THE BOOK OF GRACE really needs more exposition. Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III. Steppenwolf’s production is a new version of Parks’s 2010 play, expanded from its original 100-minute run-time to two and a half hours. Even with the extra run time, playwright Suzan-Lori Parks relies far too heavily on subtext that isn’t revealed to the audience.
Photos: THE BOOK OF GRACE Opens at Steppenwolf Theatre Photo
Photos: THE BOOK OF GRACE Opens at Steppenwolf Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 7, 2025

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is continuing its 49th season with the Chicago premiere of The Book of Grace, an incendiary tug-of-war between family and freedom by Suzan-Lori Parks. See photos here!
Pasadena Playhouse Marks 100th Anniversary with Major Building Announcement Photo
Pasadena Playhouse Marks 100th Anniversary with Major Building Announcement
by Emmy Rice - Apr 6, 2025

The building was lost to bankruptcy in 1970 and held in private ownership for more than five decades. Check here for more information.
THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES Returns To Arcola Theatre Photo
THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES Returns To Arcola Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 4, 2025

After its hit 2018 UK premiere, the adaptation of the bestselling novel by Lola Shoneyin, a tale of marital power dynamics and sexual politics, will return to Arcola Theatre
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 3, 2025 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 3, 2025
by - Apr 3, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 3, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Little Island Unveils 2025 Summer Season Featuring Suzan-Lori Parks, Rachel Chavkin a Photo
Little Island Unveils 2025 Summer Season Featuring Suzan-Lori Parks, Rachel Chavkin and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2025

LITTLE ISLAND has revealed programming details for its second annual summer season, including multiple world premieres and more. See the lineup and learn how to attend the summer season!
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.
THE BOOK OF GRACE & More Lead Chicago's April 2025 Top Theatre Shows Photo
THE BOOK OF GRACE & More Lead Chicago's April 2025 Top Theatre Shows
by Team BWW - Mar 27, 2025

Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for April 2025 include Steppenwolf's The Book of Grace and more!
LaChanze, Vanessa Williams and More to Join BTU's THE BUSINESS OF SHOW Series Photo
LaChanze, Vanessa Williams and More to Join BTU's THE BUSINESS OF SHOW Series
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025

Black Theatre United will present the next installment of The Business of Show Series: Producing 101. Learn more about the series and see how to tune in!
Steppenwolf Sets World Premiere and More for 50th Anniversary Season Photo
Steppenwolf Sets World Premiere and More for 50th Anniversary Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has revealed its its 50th Anniversary Season. Learn more about the 50th anniversary programming and see how to purchase tickets to upcoming productions!
Interview: Gregg T. Daniel of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Pasadena Playhouse Photo
Interview: Gregg T. Daniel of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Pasadena Playhouse
by Andrew Child - Mar 4, 2025

“There’s a great sense of theatricality, an element of surprise. (Parks) brings us in with humor and lightness and then pulls the veil back on us. The play exists in the world of three-card monte—- she cons us.”
Feature: Pulitzer Winner TOPDOG/UNDERDOG Centers Black Stories at Passage Theatre Photo
Feature: Pulitzer Winner TOPDOG/UNDERDOG Centers Black Stories at Passage Theatre
by Chloe Yang - Mar 4, 2025

In a historic Gothic church turned playhouse in Trenton’s Mill Hill neighborhood, two brothers take the stage in a story that plays for deadly stakes. Passage Theatre Company’s production of Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning TOPDOG/UNDERDOG marks both a departure and a homecoming for Trenton’s only professional theater company.
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents THE BOOK OF GRACE Chicago Premiere Photo
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents THE BOOK OF GRACE Chicago Premiere
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 4, 2025

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will continue its 49th season with the Chicago premiere of The Book of Grace, an incendiary family portrait by Suzan-Lori Parks, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Topdog/Underdog.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Suzan-Lori Parks written?

Suzan-Lori Parks has written 9 shows including Unchain My Heart (Bookwriter), The America Play (Playwright), Urban Zulu Mambo (Playwright), Topdog / Underdog (Playwright), F-ing A (Composer), The Book Of Grace (Playwright), The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World (Playwright), The Red Letter Plays: In the Blood (Author), White Noise (Playwright).

What awards has Suzan-Lori Parks been nominated for?

Outstanding Play (The Lortels) for Plays For The Plague Year, Outstanding Music in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Plays for the Plague Year, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Harder They Come, Playwriting Award (Obie Awards) for White Noise, Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels) for , Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Father Comes Home From the Wars Parts I, II, & III, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Topdog / Underdog , The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Topdog/Underdog, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for In The Blood, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for In the Blood , Guest Judges (Obie Awards), Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Venus and Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom.

What awards has Suzan-Lori Parks won?

Suzan-Lori Parks has received several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Music in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Plays for the Plague Year. She won the Playwriting Award (Obie Awards) for White Noise. Parks was also a Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels). Her Playwriting accolades from the Obie Awards include recognition for Father Comes Home From the Wars Parts I, II, & III and Venus. She received the Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, along with the John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for the same work. Additionally, she won The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Topdog/Underdog and received the Best New American Play (Obie Awards) for Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom.

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