Bruce Norris
Bruce Norris is the author of CLYBOURNE PARK, which won the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards (London) for Best Play, 2010, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 2011. Other plays include The Infidel (2000), Purple Heart (2002), We All Went Down to Amsterdam (2003), The Pain and the Itch (2004), The Unmentionables (2006) and A Parallelogram (2010) all of which had their premieres at Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago.
Birth Place: Texas, USA
Latest News on Bruce Norris:
- Review: CLYBOURNE PARK at DreamWrightsOct 17, 2026
- DOWNSTATE On Broadway Reschedules First Preview Due to IllnessOct 16, 2026
- DOWNSTATE Delays Broadway Previews Start by Two DaysOct 12, 2026
BIO
Bruce Norris is the author of CLYBOURNE PARK, which won the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards (London) for Best Play, 2010, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, 2011. Other plays include The Infidel (2000), Purple Heart (2002), We All Went Down to Amsterdam (2003), The Pain and the Itch (2004), The Unmentionables (2006) and A Parallelogram (2010) all of which had their premieres at Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago. His newest play, Domesticated, will be produced by Lincoln Center Theatre in 2013. His work has been seen at Playwrights Horizons (New York), Woolly Mammoth Theatre (Washington D.C.) n (Chicago), Philadelphia Theatre Company, and Staatstheater Mainz (Germany), among others. He is also the 2009 recipient of the Steinberg Playwright Award.
Photos
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
Writer
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Bruce Norris
Connection
Movies
[ 1983 ] Student
[ 1998 ] Ernie
[ 1998 ] William Cheeseman
[ 1999 ] Stanley Cunningham
[ 2001 ] Rembrandt van Rijn
[ 2004 ] Mr. Barnes
[ 2005 ] Doctor Dave
[ 2010 ] Brian Callender
[ 2015 ] Dr. Howerton
TV Shows
Richard Kramer, Victor Burke
Awards and Nominations
winner
Bruce Norris, Downstate
Bruce Norris, Downstate
Bruce Norris, Domesticated
Bruce Norris, Domesticated
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Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park
Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park
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Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park
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Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park
Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park
Bruce Norris, The Pain and the Itch
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Bruce Norris, Wenceslas Square
Videos
Broadway Rewind: Pulitzer Prize-Winning CLYBOURNE PARK Opens on Broadway in 2012
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-06-20 16:01:00
News
by Sandra Harberger - Oct 17, 2026
The talented cast of Clybourne Park tackles a variety of sensitive themes such as race, racism, grief, gender roles, community, communication, mental health, disability, wealth, “otherness,” and war. It’s a heavy but well acted show that balances drama and humor.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 16, 2026
The Broadway production of DOWNSTATE by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Bruce Norris postponed its initial preview performance due to company illness.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 12, 2026
Downstate is headed to Broadway a bit later than originally planned, having delayed the start of its previews by two days. Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 7, 2026
DreamWrights Center for Community Arts will present Bruce Norris's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, directed by Sharee McFadden. The play examines housing, gentrification, and race through two scenes set fifty years apart in the same Chicago home.
by - Oct 1, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 1, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 30, 2026
K. Todd Freeman is back in familiar territory—but he isn't quite stepping into the same play he left behind. The Tony-nominated actor is currently in rehearsals for the Broadway premiere of Bruce Norris' Downstate, returning to a role that he previously played Off-Broadway. This time around, Freeman is one of just two actors, alongside Francis Guinan, returning to the production, meaning that much of the rehearsal process has been about rediscovering the play with an entirely new group of collaborators.
by Jennifer Broski - Sep 22, 2026
Coming up next at the Booth Theatre is Bruce Norris' Downstate, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello, Downstate will begin previews Saturday, October 17, at the Booth Theatre for a limited 12-week engagement. Check out photos of the new marquee here!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 8, 2026
Bess Wohl's play SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS will open at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, starring Martin Freeman, Greta Lee, Sarah Paulson, Isaac Powell, Julia Roberts, and Paul Rudd.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 8, 2026
It's official! Downstate will make its Broadway premiere this fall, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. Learn more about the show here!
by - Aug 27, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 27, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Rialto Chatter - Aug 26, 2026
Casting is coming into focus for Broadway's Downstate. According to the Chicago Tribune, Francis Guinan and K. Todd Freeman will star in the upcoming production of Bruce Norris' play, which will play a limited engagement at the Booth Theatre this fall.
by Rialto Chatter - Aug 17, 2026
Another play has been added to the 2026/27 Broadway season! The marquee at the Booth Theatre is now lit for Bruce Norris' Downstate. The play, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon, premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 2018 before making its New York City premiere at Playwrights Horizons in 2022.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 21, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will welcome veteran Production Stage Manager Laura D. Glenn into the company’s ensemble. Glenn, whose journey with Steppenwolf began as a summer intern in 1988, has worked on more than 100 Steppenwolf productions.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 3, 2026
The 24 Hour Plays revealed the full company for its Nationals intensive in New York and Los Angeles, featuring emerging actors, directors, playwrights, and more culminating in Off-Broadway productions at Classic Stage.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 23, 2026
The 24 Hour Plays Nationals, an annual professional development initiative for early-career theater artists, will return this summer for a 15th year, with cohorts in both New York and Los Angeles.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2026
Harbinger Theatre has announced its 2026 season, featuring four Capital Region premieres by underrepresented playwrights. The fifth season includes productions in Schenectady, Troy, Albany, and Averill Park.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 21, 2025
American Conservatory Theater announced that Tony Award–winning Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon will depart the Bay Area’s premier nonprofit theater organization at the close of the 2025/26 season.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 1, 2025
Many Steppenwolf productions have made the jump to Broadway, with three shows transferring in 2025 alone. Learn more about Purpose, Bug, The Minutes, and more!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2025
A winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award will soon take center stage at the Farmington Players Barn in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Learn more about the show here!
by Stephi Wild - Aug 14, 2025
The Sociedad de Compañerismo de Compositores has announced their new International Composers Series with an inaugural concert featuring the world première of Ross Avant´s Cello Suite No. 2 - Veniant Tenebrae.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Bruce Norris has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.
Bruce Norris has not appeared in the West End.
Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Downstate, Outstanding Play (The Lortels) for Downstate, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Domesticated, Outstanding Play (The Lortels) for Domesticated, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Clybourne Park , Best New Play (Olivier Awards) for Clybourne Park, Master Card Best New Play (Olivier Awards) for Clybourne Park, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Clybourne Park, John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Clybourne Park, John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Pain and the Itch and Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Wenceslas Square.
Bruce Norris has won numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. He received the Best Play award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Downstate. He won the Tony Award for Best Play for Clybourne Park. Norris also received the MasterCard Best New Play award from the Olivier Awards for Clybourne Park. Additionally, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Clybourne Park. He was also honored with the Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production award from the Helen Hayes Awards for Wenceslas Square.
Bruce Norris has written 6 shows including The Pain and the Itch (Playwright), Clybourne Park (Playwright), Domesticated (Playwright), A Parallelogram (Playwright), The Tiger Who Came To Tea (Playwright), Downstate (Writer).
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