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Brandon J. Dirden

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BIO

Brandon starred on Broadway as Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Tony Award-winning production of All the Way, with Bryan Cranston, and as Booster in the Tony Award-winning revival of August Wilson's Jitney. Additional Broadway credits include Clybourne Park, Enron, and Prelude to a Kiss. Off-Broadway, he has appeared in The Piano Lesson, for which he won Obie, Theatre World, and AUDELCO awards; The First Breeze of Summer and Day of Absence at Signature Theatre; Detroit ’67 at the Public Theater and Classical Theatre of Harlem; Peter and the Starcatcher at New York Theatre Workshop and as ‘Brutus’ in TFANA’s production of Juilius Caesar. On screen, he has appeared in “The Good Wife,” “For Life,” “The Big C,” “Public Morals,” “Manifest,” “The Get Down,” “The Accidental Wolf,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Quad,” and four seasons of FX’s “The Americans” as Agent Dennis Aderholt. He is currently shooting the upcoming ABC series “For Life” and recently completed work on the FX miniseries, “Mrs. America.” He has directed numerous plays by Dominique Morriseau and August Wilson. Brandon is a frequent volunteer at the 52nd Street Project and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and Fair Wage On Stage.


Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Return Engagement, 2022
Davey Battle

[Broadway]
Second Stage Broadway Revival Production, 2022
Davey Battle

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Company, 2012
Boy Willie

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2010
Security Guard

Broadway: Skeleton Crew (Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Antonyo nominations), Jitney, All the Way, Clybourne Park, Enron, Prelude to a Kiss.



Off-Broadway: The Piano Lesson (Obie, Theatre World, AUDELCO awards), The First Breeze of Summer, Day of Absence, Detroit ’67, Peter and the Starcatcher, TFANA’s Julius Caesar.



TV: “For Life,” “Evil,” “Public Morals,” “Manifest,” “The Get Down,” “The Accidental Wolf,” “The Quad,” “Mrs. America,” “The Americans.”




TV Shows

The Americans
Dennis Aderholt
The Get Down
Leon

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Brandon J. Dirden, Skeleton Crew

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Brandon J. Dirden, Skeleton Crew

Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award

Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson


winner
Obie Awards - 2013 - Performance

Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson

The Lortels - 2013 - Outstanding Lead Actor

Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2013 - Theatre World Award

Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson

Videos

News


Review: GEM OF THE OCEAN at TRT-Powerful and Presented to Perfection

Two River Theater (TRT) is now presenting an extraordinary and compelling production of August Wilson's 'Gem of the Ocean,' expertly directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg and featuring a stellar cast.
Performances Of August Wilson's GEM OF THE OCEAN to Begin This Weekend at Two River Theater

Two River Theater's production of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, begins performances this weekend. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
FALCON GIRLS World Premiere & More Set for Yale Repertory Theatre 2024-25 Season

Yale Repertory Theatre has revealed its 2024–25 season of five productions. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets.
¡VOS! World Premiere & More Set for Two River Theater 2024/2025 Season

Discover the lineup for the 2024/2025 season at TWO RIVER THEATER. Learn about the programming and see how to purchase tickets.
Crystal A. Dickinson, Brandon J. Dirden & More to Star in GEM OF THE OCEAN at Two River Theater

Two River Theater has revealed the cast and creative team for August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of MARY JANE

Mary Jane, led by Rachel McAdams, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog, officially opened on Broadway last night, April 23. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the opening night red carpet here!
Tickets to go on Sale Next Week for GEM OF THE OCEAN at Two River Theater

The American Century Cycle continues in Red Bank with August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean. Learn more about August Wilson's play and learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of John Patrick Shanley's BROOKLYN LAUNDRY

The stars came out to celebrate last night at New York City Center, where Manhattan Theatre Club celebrated opening night of Brooklyn Laundry. Check out photos from inside opening night.
Photos: Vineyard Theatre's Annual Gala Honors Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Vineyard's Annual Gala, honoring Tony Award-winning actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, was held Monday, February 26, 2024 at the Edison Ballroom. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the big night here!
Patti LuPone Will Perform at Vineyard Theatre's Annual Gala

Patti LuPone will perform at the Vineyard's Annual Gala honoring Tony Award-winning actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Learn more about the gala and find out how to attend here!
Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of THE WHITE CHIP Off-Broadway

Check out photos from opening night of The White Chip Off-Broaday!
Sara Bareilles, Chelsea Clinton & More to Join Vineyard Theatre 2024 Gala Honoring Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Vineyard Theatre has revealed the artists that will participate in the Vineyard's 2024 Gala honoring Tony Award-winning actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets!
Photos: Inside the 2023 Manhattan Theatre Club Fall Benefit With Christine Baranski, Nathan Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker, and More!

Manhattan Theatre Club hosted its 2023 Fall Benefit on Monday, November 13. The evening began at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) with an advance screening of the new film ALL ARTS Docs: Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists ahead of its November 21 premiere on ALL ARTS.
ALL ARTS DOCS: MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB, A HOME FOR ARTISTS Lifts The Curtain On History And Influence Of Iconic Theater

Celeb Studded ‘ALL ARTS Docs: Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists’ explores the history and influence of the iconic theater. Featuring interviews with Sarah Jessica Parker, Christine Baranski, and more. Premieres on November 21 at 9pm ET on ALL ARTS.
Video: Go Behind the Scenes at Manhattan Theatre Club in New ALL ARTS Film This Month

Debuting on ALL ARTS on Tuesday, November 21 at 9 p.m., the hour-long “ALL ARTS Docs: Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists” traces the nonprofit Manhattan Theatre Club‘s storied 50-year history under the leadership of its artistic director Lynne Meadow and executive producer Barry Grove, Check out a sneak peek in this video!
Photos: Roundabout Underground Celebrates Opening Night of COVENANT

Roundabout Underground is presenting the world premiere of Covenant by York Walker, directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene.  Check out photos from inside opening night!
Christine Baranski, Nathan Lane & Sarah Jessica Parker to Appear at Manhattan Theatre Club 2023 Fall Benefit

Manhattan Theatre Club will present its 2023 Fall Benefit on Monday, November 13. See who is attending and learn how to purchase tickets!
Photos: Taraji P. Henson, Noah Centineo & More Arrive on the Red Carpet for JAJA's AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING

Check out photos from the opening night red carpet of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh.
Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of THE REFUGE PLAYS

Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the world-premiere production of The Refuge Plays, by Nathan Alan Davis, directed by Patricia McGregor, in association with New York Theatre Workshop. Check out photos of the stars arriving on the opening night red carpet here!
New Documentary Will Tell the History of Manhattan Theatre Club

​​​​​​​ALL ARTS, the streaming platform and channel dedicated to the arts, will debut the new film ALL ARTS Docs: Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists on Tuesday, November 21 at 9 p.m. ET. Learn more about the documentary and find out where you can watch it here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Brandon J. Dirden been in?

Brandon J. Dirden has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Brandon J. Dirden been in?

Brandon J. Dirden has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Brandon J. Dirden been nominated for?

Brandon J. Dirden has been nominated for the following awards: Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Skeleton Crew; Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Skeleton Crew; Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Piano Lesson; Performance (Obie Awards) for The Piano Lesson; Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for The Piano Lesson; and Theatre World Award (Theatre World Awards) for The Piano Lesson.

What awards has Brandon J. Dirden won?

Brandon J. Dirden has won an Obie Award for Performance for The Piano Lesson and a Theatre World Award from the Theatre World Awards for The Piano Lesson.

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Videos