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Kara Young BIO

Kara Young made her Broadway debut in Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s for which she received a Tony and a Drama Desk Nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play. This year, Young received her second Tony and Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play in the Pulitzer Prize winner, Cost of Living. Her other accolades include: an Obie Award, an Audelco Award and a Drama Desk nomination for her portrayal of Viola in Classical Theatre of Harlem’s, Twelfth Night; the inaugural Florence Mills Rising Star Award from Black Women on Broadway and a Theatre World Award. Her other stage credits include All The Natalie Portmans, Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven, The New Englanders, The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll’d, Syncing Ink, and Pretty Hunger. She will next appear as a series regular in the highly anticipated Amazon series, “I’m a Virgo,” created by Boots Riley. Previous TV credits include: HBO Max’s “The Staircase;” Amazon’s feature “Chemical Hearts;” HBO’s “Random Acts of Flyness;” and Netflix’s “The Punisher.”

Kara Young Photos

Kara Young STAGE CREDITS

Purlie Victorious Purlie Victorious
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2023
Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins
Cost of Living Cost of Living
[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Original Broadway Production, 2022
Jess
Clyde's Clyde's
[Broadway]
2021
Performer
All the Natalie Portmans All the Natalie Portmans
[Off-Broadway]
MCC Theater's Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2020
Cast
Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
[Off-Broadway]
Atlantic Theatre's Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
Cast
The New Englanders The New Englanders
[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
Performer
The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll'd
[Off-Broadway]
World Premier Production, 2018
Karma

Kara Young Movies

Lunatics Lovers & Actors
[ 2009 ] Leticia
Saving Julian
[ 2012 ] Kara
Cybornetics
[ 2012 ] Lisa
Cybornetics: Urban Cyborg
[ 2013 ] Lisa
Fishbowl
[ 2015 ] Audition Monitor
Bruce!!!!
[ 2017 ] DJ Love Jones
Meat Puppet: The Filmed Experience
[ 2017 ] Harley Patrón
King of Knives
[ 2020 ] Darla
Materna
[ 2020 ] Kara
Chemical Hearts
[ 2020 ] LolaLaHaynes
Blow Up My Life
[ 2022 ] Charlie August
Master
[ 2022 ] Scha

Kara Young Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious

Drama League Awards - 2024 - Distinguished Performance

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Kara Young, Cost of Living

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

Kara YoungTwelfth Night

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Cost of Living


winner
Obie Awards - 2022 - Performance Award

Kara YoungTwelfth Night


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2022 - Theatre World Awards

Kara Young, Clyde's

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Clyde's

Kara Young Videos

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Kara Young News


Photos: Inside The Black Women on Broadway Awards Photo
Photos: Inside The Black Women on Broadway Awards

The Black Women on Broadway Awards returned for their third annual in-person event at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers on June 10.
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet at the Drama Desk Awards Photo
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet at the Drama Desk Awards

Winners for the 2024 Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced last night at NYU Skirball Center. Tony Award Winners Sutton Foster and Aaron Tveit hosted the ceremony. Check out photos from the red carpet here!
Photos: Backstage with the Drama Desk Awards Winners Photo
Photos: Backstage with the Drama Desk Awards Winners

Check out photos from backstage with the winners of the 2024 Drama Desk Awards!
2024 Drama Desk Awards Winners- The Full List Photo
2024 Drama Desk Awards Winners- The Full List

The best of Broadway and off-Broadway came together for the 68th Annual Drama Desk Awards, which were held at The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
Video: Kara Young Is Coming for Her Tony Award Photo
Video: Kara Young Is Coming for Her Tony Award

Did you know that with her Tony nomination for Purlie Victorious, Kara Young has become the fourth actress to be nominated for Tony Awards in three consecutive years and the first African American actress to be nominated three times in a row in any category? In this video, watch as she chats more about the incredible impact of this play, why being a part of it meant so much to her, and so much more!
ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG And OH, MARY! Take Top Honors At LGBTQ Critics' Dori Photo
ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG And OH, MARY! Take Top Honors At LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Theater Awards

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics honored ILLINOISE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, and OH, MARY! at the Dorian Theater Awards, celebrating the best of Broadway and Off-Broadway for 2023-24.
Exclusive: Hasna Muhammad on Shadowing the Call at PURLIE VICTORIOUS Photo
Exclusive: Hasna Muhammad on Shadowing the Call at PURLIE VICTORIOUS

Purlie Victorious may have played its final Broadway performance months ago, but the acclaimed production was not forgotten by Tony nominators. The revival earned six 2024 Tony nominations, including Best Revival of a Play. Enjoy 'Shadowing the Call' by Hasna Muhammad.
Photos: Inside the 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards Photo
Photos: Inside the 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards

Just yesterday, the Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, celebrated the winners of the 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards. View a full list of winners and check out photos from inside the special event here.
Sarah Paulson, HELL'S KITCHEN & More Win 2024 Drama League Awards - See the Full List Photo
Sarah Paulson, HELL'S KITCHEN & More Win 2024 Drama League Awards - See the Full List

The best of Broadway gathers to celebrate the 90th Annual Drama League Awards. BroadwayWorld we be bringing you live updates from inside the ceremony. Check back to find out who takes home the top prizes!
Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2024 Nominated Revivals Photo
Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2024 Nominated Revivals

The results of this season's Tony races are still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been through awards season before. How did they fare? The past may not always be the best indicator of the future, but accolades of years past provide interesting insight nonetheless. Check out a complete list of who was nominated, in what categories, and most importantly... if they won!
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG And STEREOPHONIC Lead LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Theater Award Nomin Photo
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG And STEREOPHONIC Lead LGBTQ Critics' Dorian Theater Award Nominations

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics' 39 theater wing members named their favorites in New York theater for the second annual Dorian Theater Awards, this time toasting the best in Broadway and Off-Broadway for the 2023-2024 season.
Two World Premiere Plays & More Set for MCC Theater 2024-2025 Season Photo
Two World Premiere Plays & More Set for MCC Theater 2024-2025 Season

MCC Theater has revealed the initial two productions of their 2024-2025 season, as well as the 25th anniversary of Miscast and their annual MCC Youth Company productions. Learn more!
Video: Leslie Odom, Jr. on His Tony Nomination- 'This One's Personal' Photo
Video: Leslie Odom, Jr. on His Tony Nomination- 'This One's Personal'

In this video, watch as Tony nominee leslie Odom, Jr. about his co-star Kara Young, why Purlie Victorious means so much to him, and so much more.
STEREOPHONIC, SUFFS & More Win Outer Critics Circle Awards Photo
STEREOPHONIC, SUFFS & More Win Outer Critics Circle Awards

The Outer Critics Circle, the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, announced the winners of the 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards. Check out the Full List of winners here!
Photos: Behind the Scenes with the 2024 Tony Nominees Photo
Photos: Behind the Scenes with the 2024 Tony Nominees

The nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York on Thursday to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out behind the scenes photos of the 2024 nominees below and check out even more of the acting nominees and creative nominees.
Photos: Meet the 2024 Tony Nominees for Acting Photo
Photos: Meet the 2024 Tony Nominees for Acting

The nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out photos of the 2024 acting nominees here!
Breaking Down the 2024 Tony Awards Nominations Photo
Breaking Down the 2024 Tony Awards Nominations

Still thinking about the Tony nominations? Us too! Check out some takeaways from yesterday's big announcement.
2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List! Photo
2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List!

Nominations for the 2024 Drama Desk Awards have just been. Check out the full list of nominees here for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway during the 2023-2024 season!
Photos: MOTHER PLAY Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway Photo
Photos: MOTHER PLAY Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway

Mother Play officially opened on Broadway on April 25 at the Hayes Theater. Check out photos of the cast and VIPs at the after party here!
2024 Tony Awards Nominations- Live Reactions Photo
2024 Tony Awards Nominations- Live Reactions

The nominations for the 77th Annual Tony Awards were announced this morning by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Renée Elise Goldsberry. Follow us throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions!
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Kara Young FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Kara Young been in?

Kara Young has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Kara Young been in?

Kara Young has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Kara Young been nominated for?

Kara Young has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout her career. These include Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Purlie Victorious," Distinguished Performance at the Drama League Awards for the same production, and Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Purlie Victorious." She was also nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Purlie Victorious" and "Cost of Living." Additionally, Young received nominations for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Twelfth Night" and a Performance Award at the Obie Awards for the same production. She also won the Theatre World Awards for her performance in "Clyde's" and was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for the same show.

What awards has Kara Young won?

Kara Young has won the Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Purlie Victorious," a Performance Award from the Obie Awards for "Twelfth Night," and a Theatre World Award from the Theatre World Awards for "Clyde's."

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