Ayad Akhtar
Josh Radnor and Noah Galvin Will Make London Stage Debuts in HIT MACHINE (Apr 22, 2026)
Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Iconic Plays That Shaped American Theater (Apr 3, 2026)
Milwaukee Rep Sets Box Office Record in New Studio Theater with MCNEAL by Ayad Akhtar (Mar 17, 2026)
BIO
LCT: Junk, Disgraced (Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Tony nomination; Broadway and LCT3), The Who & The What (LCT3). Other plays include The Invisible Hand (Obie Award; Oliver, Evening Standard noms.). As a novelist, he is the author of American Dervish (Little, Brown & Co.), published in over 20 lan- guages. Recipient of an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and fellowships from MacDowell, Djerassi, the Sundance Institute, Ucross and Yaddo, where he serves as a Board Director. Board Trustee at PEN/America and New York Theatre Workshop.
Photos
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Productions
Writing
Awards and Nominations
Ayad Akhtar, Junk
winner
Ayad Akhtar, The Invisible Hand
winner
Ayad Akhtar, The Invisible Hand
Ayad Akhtar, Disgraced
winner
Ayad Akhtar, Disgraced
Ayad Akhtar, Disgraced
winner
Ayad Akhtar, Disgraced
Videos
Video: Robert Downey Jr. & Company Celebrate Opening Night of MCNEAL
by Joey Mervis - 2024-10-02 12:14:56
Backstage with Richard Ridge: Cash In with JUNK Leading Man-
Steven Pasquale!
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - 2017-11-06 15:22:19
TV: Go Inside JUNK's Priceless Opening Night on Broadway!
by TV - Opening Night Special - 2017-11-03 16:06:15
TV: See Steven Pasquale and More in Highlights from Ayad Akhtar's JUNK on Broadway
by BroadwayWorld TV - 2017-11-01 12:41:40
STAGE TUBE: Playwright Ayad Akhtar Talks DISGRACED at McCarter Theatre Center
by Stage Tube - 2016-10-12 13:54:00
STAGE TUBE: Playwright Paula Vogel Gives Writing Advice for DGF's Traveling Masters Program
by Stage Tube - 2016-07-21 16:30:50
News
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2026
Josh Radnor and Noah Galvin will make their London stage debuts in the world premiere of HIT MACHINE, a darkly comic sibling drama with original music by Ben Harper, at Soho Theatre.
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 3, 2026
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.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2026
Milwaukee Repertory Theater has revealed that McNeal, the Midwest premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar’s newest play, has officially become the best‑selling production in the history of the newly named Herro‑Franke Studio Theater.
by Sofia Ascorbe - Mar 16, 2026
In McNeal, Jacob McNeal (Peter Bradbury) is a successful and arrogant novelist who flies too close to the sun of Artificial Intelligence when he experiences the very human struggles of his mental and physical health, his addictions, and his relationships.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2026
Lincoln Center Theater will honor Academy Award winner Robert Downey Jr. and Emmy Award-winning Producer Susan Downey at their annual spring Gala on Monday, May 18 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 5, 2026
Milwaukee Repertory Theater has revealed a major new commission: Evicted, a stage adaptation by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Ayad Akhtar and Maya Moverman.
by Joshua Wright - Feb 26, 2026
Watch the first look video of MCNEAL at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, directed by Mark Clements and running February 10 through March 22, 2026.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 24, 2026
Robert Downey Jr. will be the godparent for the Disney Adventure, the newest and largest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Disney shared the news ahead of the vessel’s maiden voyage next month out of its home port in Singapore.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2026
Catherine Tate will play Mary Todd Lincoln in the Tony Award-winning smash hit comedy OH, MARY! at Trafalgar Theatre from 27 April until 18 July 2026. Learn more here!
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 12, 2026
Milwaukee Rep has released first-look photos of the newly opened Herro-Franke Studio Theater and its inaugural production, MCNEAL by Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 22, 2026
Milwaukee Repertory Theater will introduce a series of new commissions and premieres as part of its expanded John D. Lewis New Play Development Program, supported by a significant $1 million donation.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2026
Milwaukee Repertory Theater has completed the Associated Bank Theater Center Phase II construction with the grand opening of the reimagined Herro-Franke Studio Theater, featuring Ayad Akhtar's McNeal.
by BWW Awards - Dec 29, 2025
This is the last chance to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Germany Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 22, 2025
We're in the final weeks to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Germany Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 15, 2025
The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Germany Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 8, 2025
The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Germany Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by BWW Awards - Dec 1, 2025
The first standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Germany Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 20, 2025
Lincoln Center Theater has revealed the programming for The Reading Series at LCT3. In this intimate new series, six of our most celebrated playwrights join forces with exciting voices new to LCT to share the stage and the spotlight.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 24, 2025
La Jolla Playhouse has revealed the dates and projects for its 2025 DNA New Work Series, running in the Playhouse’s Rao and Padma Makineni Play Development Center. Learn more!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 19, 2025
San Jose Stage Company will launch its 43rd Season with the West Coast Premiere of MCNEAL, Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar’s new drama exploring artificial intelligence, artistic integrity, and the razor-thin line between genius and fraud.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ayad Akhtar has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.
Ayad Akhtar has not appeared in the West End
Best Play (Tony Awards) for Junk, Playwriting (Obie Awards) for The Invisible Hand, John Gassner Playwrighting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Invisible Hand, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Disgraced, Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Disgraced, John Gassner Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Disgraced and The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Disgraced.
Ayad Akhtar has received several awards for his work, including the following: - Playwriting (Obie Awards) for The Invisible Hand - John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Invisible Hand - Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Disgraced - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Disgraced.
Ayad Akhtar has written 2 shows including Disgraced (Playwright), Junk (Playwright).
Videos