Skip to main content
Shop Merch Add a Show Listing
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Brandon J. Dirden Headshot

Brandon J. Dirden

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.

MS·A My Shows
Track Your Shows, Get Recommendations, and More!
Add Brandon J. Dirden's shows to your list.

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 Revival Production, 2025
Pozzo
[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

Additional Credits

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.”


Six Degrees of Broadway Beta

See how many degrees separate Brandon J. Dirden from another Broadway star or creative.

Brandon J. Dirden

Brandon J. Dirden


TV Shows

The Americans
Dennis Aderholt
The Get Down
Leon
The Justice
[ 2024 ] President

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2026 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Brandon J. Dirden, Waiting for Godot

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

Exclusive: Ava Lalezarzadeh Finds Her Funny and Her Voice in THE IMAGINARY INVALID
by Nicole Wilson - Nov 2, 2026

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning English, which earned five Tony Award nominations, to Roundabout Theatre Company’s The Imaginary Invalid, Ava Lalezarzadeh opens up about embracing comedy, working alongside Bill Irwin, and the deeply personal stories shaping her artistic journey.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 28, 2026- THE IMAGINARY INVALID Opens On Broadway and More
by - Oct 28, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is  October 28, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours
Photos: On the Opening Night Red Carpet for THE IMAGINARY INVALID
by Bruce Glikas - Oct 27, 2026

The Imaginary Invalid, by Molière, translated by Doug Skinner, and adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, opened at the Todd Haimes Theatre. Check out photos from the star-studded red carpet, which included special guests Jesse Eisenberg, Bryan Cranston, Danny Burstein, Jessica Hecht, Douglas Hodge, Miriam Shor, and many more!
Photos: THE IMAGINARY INVALID Company Celebrates Opening Night
by Bruce Glikas - Oct 27, 2026

The Imaginary Invalid, by Molière, translated by Doug Skinner, and adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, opened at the Todd Haimes Theatre. The play features direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden making his Broadway directorial debut. Below, check out photos of the cast as they walk the red carpet on the big night!
What's Old Is New Again on Broadway This Season
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 1, 2026

The majority of this season’s Broadway shows are inspired by recent events, adapted from 20th or 21st century source material, or reflections of the current world we live in. But a handful of new Broadway productions of the 2026-2027 season actually reach farther back in history in order to reflect on today.  
Video: Watch Bill Irwin & More in Highlights from THE IMAGINARY INVALID on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 22, 2026

It's opening night for The Imaginary Invalid! The play, by Molière translated by Doug Skinner, is adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden making his Broadway directorial debut. Watch highlights of the cast in action here!
Review Roundup: THE IMAGINARY INVALID Opens on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2026

The Imaginary Invalid by Molière, translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden, is officially open on Broadway. Read the reviews!
Debut of the Month: Rachel Bloom in THE IMAGINARY INVALID - 'Let Us Make You Laugh'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 26, 2026

Rachel Bloom is currently making her Broadway debut as Toinette in The Imaginary Invalid. Read BroadwayWorld's Debut of the Month feature with Rachel Bloom where she discusses fulfilling her lifelong Broadway dream.
André De Shields, Brandon J. Dirden, Jasmine Cephas Jones Honored at AAFCA Luncheon
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 13, 2026

The African American Film Critics Association honored Broadway and theater leaders at its 5th annual luncheon, recognizing actors and a broadcast veteran for their contributions to the arts.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 12, 2026- THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Turns 40 and More
by - Oct 12, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 12, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
Photos: Bill Irwin, Rachel Bloom and More in THE IMAGINARY INVALID on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 9, 2026

You can now get a first look at the Broadway production of The Imaginary Invalid by Molière translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin with direction by Brandon J. Dirden making his Broadway directorial debut.
André De Shields, Jasmine Cephas Jones and More to be Honored by AAFCA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 6, 2026

The African American Film Critics Association will present its fifth annual AAFCA Goes to Broadway Luncheon, recognizing Broadway artists and cultural leaders including André De Shields, Jasmine Cephas Jones and more.
Character Breakdown: The Cast of THE IMAGINARY INVALID Unpacks Their Roles
by Sam Anctil - Oct 11, 2026

Performances are officially underway at the Todd Haimes Theatre for Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid. Watch in this video as the cast unpacks their roles.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 26, 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 26, 2026

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 24, 2026- First Look at Alaska Thunderf*ck in the OH, MARY! on Tour and More
by - Sep 24, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 24, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Bill Irwin & Brandon J. Dirden Are Finding the Heart, Hilarity, and 'Radical Joy' of THE IMAGINARY INVALID
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 4, 2026

Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid may be more than 350 years old, but for director Brandon J. Dirden and adapter and star Bill Irwin, there is nothing dusty about it. This season, the pair are bringing the classic comedy to Broadway in a new adaptation by Irwin, with Dirden at the helm. And while the play arrives with centuries of history behind it, their approach to the material is decidedly alive: a company of expert comic actors in a room together, testing jokes, pushing physical comedy to its limits and searching beneath the farce for something recognizably human.
Video: Clowning Around In Rehearsals with the Company of THE IMAGINARY INVALID
by Sam Anctil - Sep 23, 2026

There’s plenty of funny business brewing at the Todd Haimes Theatre, where Tony Award winner Bill Irwin and an all-star company are getting ready to bring Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid back to Broadway. Roundabout Theatre Company’s new production features a fresh adaptation written by Irwin, who also stars as Argan, with Brandon J. Dirden at the helm. Watch in this video as the cast discusses what audiences can expect.
Meet the Cast of THE IMAGINARY INVALID, Now Playing on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Sep 25, 2026

Roundabout Theatre Company's production of The Imaginary Invalid by Molière, translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden is now on Broadway! Meet the cast here.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 10, 2026- HEATHERS Welcomes New Stars and More
by - Sep 10, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 10, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos: THE IMAGINARY INVALID Cast Is Getting Ready for Broadway
by Jennifer Broski - Sep 9, 2026

Next up at Roundabout Theatre Company is The Imaginary Invalid by Molière translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden making his Broadway directorial debut. Check out photos of the cast as they take a break from rehearsals!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

Brandon J. Dirden has appeared on Broadway in 5 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?

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Waiting for Godot, 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 won an Obie Award for Performance for The Piano Lesson. He also received a Theatre World Award from the Theatre World Awards for The Piano Lesson.

News Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BroadwayWorld TV


Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $60
Hot Show
Tickets From $71