James Ijames Will Join Tenured Faculty at Columbia University School of the Arts

The Oscar Hammerstein II Center for Theatre Studies at Columbia University School of the Arts has announced the appointment of celebrated playwright James Ijames to the Theatre faculty as Associate Professor of Theatre with tenure. 

Ijames is a Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright, director and educator.  

“After an extended national search, our faculty-led search committee was delighted to invite James Ijames to join the Theatre faculty of the School of the Arts," said Professor of Professional Practice and Dramaturgy Concentration Head Christian Parker. "James impressed everyone with his candor, warmth, commitment to teaching, and his insight into fostering innovation in this most collaborative of art forms. James’ already stunning and ascendant career as a playwright speaks for itself, and will no doubt be a huge source of inspiration for our students."

 His plays have been produced by Flashpoint Theater Company, Orbiter 3, Theatre Horizon, Wilma Theatre, Theatre Exile, Azuka Theatre (Philadelphia, PA), The National Black Theatre, JACK, The Public Theater (NYC), Hudson Valley Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Definition Theatre, Timeline Theater (Chicago IL) and Shotgun Players (Berkeley, CA). His works have received development with PlayPenn New Play Conference, The Lark, Playwright's Horizon, Clubbed Thumb, Villanova Theater, Wilma Theater, Azuka Theatre and Victory Garden.

James is the recipient of the 2011 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Artist, and two Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play for The Brothers Size with Simpatico Theatre Company and Gem of the Ocean with Arden Theatre. Additionally, he is a 2015 Pew Fellow for Playwriting, the 2015 winner of the Terrance McNally New Play Award for WHITE, the 2015 Kesselring Honorable Mention Prize winner for The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington, a recipient of the 2017 Whiting Award, a 2019 Kesselring Prize for Kill Move Paradise, and 2020 and 2022 Steinberg Prizes. He is a 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Drama recipient and a 2023 Tony nominee for Best Play for Fat Ham.

Mr. Ijames was a founding member of Orbiter 3, Philadelphia’s first playwright producing collective. He received a BA in Drama from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and an MFA in Acting from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. 

“Y’all I am thrilled to join this faculty," Professor Ijames shared. "Columbia is filled with artists and scholars I admire and respect. I arrive here at a potent moment of change, a real inflection point. This, historically, fuels the artist to respond. I’m trying to do a little of that. I love plays and playwrights and talking about plays and just expanding what a play can be. Columbia feels like a good place for that. Come see us.”

"The School of the Arts is overjoyed that James will be joining our faculty," added Sarah Cole, Dean of the School of the Arts and Parr Professor of English and Comparative Literature. "Not only is he a brilliant playwright and great creative force in our culture, but he is also a gifted educator and mentor to his students."

"James Ijames is a singular artist, teacher and thinker,” exclaimed Professor Lynn Nottage. “He will infuse the halls of Dodge with dynamic energy, innovation and a sense of community that have all become hallmarks of his practice as both a writer and director. We are excited to have his leadership and wisdom in our playwriting concentration."