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Dael Orlandersmith

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BIO

Dael Orlandersmith previously collaborated with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater on Horsedreams in 2011 after it was developed at New Dramatists and workshopped at New York Stage and Film Company in 2008. Monster premiered at New York Theatre Workshop in November 1996. The Gimmick, commissioned by McCarter Theatre, premiered in their Second Stage OnStage series in 1998 and went on to great acclaim at Long Wharf Theatre and New York Theatre Workshop; Orlandersmith won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for The Gimmick in 1999. Yellowman was commissioned by and premiered at McCarter Theatre in a co-production with The Wilma Theater and Long Wharf Theatre. Orlandersmith was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Play and Outstanding Actress in a Play for Yellowman in 2002. The Blue Album, in collaboration with David Cale, premiered at Long Wharf Theatre in 2007. Stoop Stories was first performed in 2008 at The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival and Apollo Theater’s Salon Series; Washington, DC’s Studio Theatre produced its world premiere in 2009. Bones was commissioned by the Mark Taper Forum where it premiered in 2010. Black N’ Blue Boys/Broken Men was developed as a co-commission between the Goodman and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where it was staged in May 2012. Orlandersmith wrote and performed a solo memoir play called Forever, at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles in 2014, at the Long Wharf and New York Theatre Workshop in 2015, and at Portland Center Stage in 2016.Forever at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in July 2017. In Fall of 2016, Orlandersmith wrote and performed Until the Floodwhich was commissioned by St Louis Rep. In 2018, it will be produced at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in New York, Milwaukee Rep, Goodman Theater, and ACT Seattle. Orlandersmith has toured extensively with the Nuyorican Poets Café (Real Live Poetry) throughout the United States, Europe and Australia. YELLOWMAN and a collection of her earlier works have been published by Vintage Books and Dramatists Play Service. Orlandersmith attended Sundance Institute Theatre Lab for four summers and is the recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts Grant, The Helen Merrill Award for Emerging Playwrights, a Guggenheim and the 2005 PEN/Laura Pels Foundation Award for a playwright in mid-career. She is the recipient of a Lucille Lortel Foundation Playwrights Fellowship and an Obie Award for Beauty’s Daughter. Orlandersmith is currently working on two commissions .



Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Premiere, 2024
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
2002
Alma


[Off-Broadway]
1999
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
1996


[Off-Broadway]
1995


Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play

Dael OrlandersmithUntil the Flood

- 2015 - Best Solo Performance

Dael OrlandersmithForever


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Dael Orlandersmith, Yellowman

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2003 - John Gassner Playwriting Award

Dael Orlandersmith, Yellowman

The Pulitzer Prize - 2002 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Dael Orlandersmith., Yellowman

The Pulitzer Prize - 2002 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Dael Orlandersmith, Yellowman

News


United Solo Concludes Fall 2025 Season With Closing Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2025

United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, ended its nineteenth season with its annual Closing Gala at Theatre Row in Manhattan. This fall’s edition featured artists from around the world working across classical texts, contemporary narratives, performance art, and pieces exploring both intimate personal stories and global political themes.
Bess Wohl, Jen Silverman and More Named as Finalists for The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 24, 2025

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has revealed this year's finalists for the prestigious international playwriting award- the largest and oldest award recognising women+ writers for plays of outstanding quality written for the English-speaking theatre. 
Executive Artistic Director Courtney Sale to Depart The Merrimack Repertory Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 12, 2025

Board of Trustees announced today that Courtney Sale, Nancy L. Donahue Executive Artistic Director, will step down from her role in January 2026. Courtney accomplished significant projects in her nearly six years with the company.
GIRL, INTERRUPTED to Have World Premiere at The Public Theater in May 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 5, 2025

The world premiere production of Girl, Interrupted has been added to The Public’s 2025-2026 season. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok brings Girl, Interrupted to the stage for its world premiere.
Celia Keenan-Bolger, Edie Falco and More to Take Part in SPIRITUS Reading Series
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 22, 2025

Spiritus, a reading series, will be presented at the DR2 Theatre. Each reading of Spiritus will feature a different celebrated actor taking on the role of Virgil. Learn more here!
The Goodman Adds COVENANT to 25/26 Season; BLOOD MEMORY Rescheduled
by Michael Major - Aug 25, 2025

in the line-up for The Goodman’s 100th anniversary season. Blood Memory by Goodman Affiliated Writer Dael Orlandersmith, previously announced for a May 2026 debut, is rescheduled.
Tickets Now On Sale For United Solo's Fall 2025 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 24, 2025

United Solo Theatre Festival has officially opened ticket sales for its Fall 2025 season at its home base, Theatre Row, in New York City. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
OnWord Theatre Extends Inaugural Season With BEAUTY'S DAUGHTER West Coast Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 17, 2025

OnWord Theatre has extended its premiere season with the West Coast premiere of Beauty’s Daughter by Pulitzer Prize finalist Dael Orlandersmith. Learn more!
Red Bull Theater Unveils Selections for Short New Play Festival 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2025

Red Bull Theater has revealed the winning selections for Red Bull’s SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL 2025. Learn more about the festival and see how to attend upcoming performances.
5 Reasons to See THE BLACK WOLFE TONE at Irish Repertory Theatre
by Team BWW - May 19, 2025

The Black Wolfe Tone is a semi-autobiographical journey into the mental health journey of a mixed-race Irish man, written and developed over two years by Kwaku Fortune in collaboration with Ireland’s own Fishamble: The New Play Company and Irish Rep.
Cast Set For 4-Star Solo Show Festival in Provincetown
by Stephi Wild - May 16, 2025

As part of the 62nd season, the Provincetown Theater will produce the 5th annual 4-Star Solo Show Festival throughout the month of June at their playhouse at 238 Bradford Street in Provincetown, MA.
Ancram Center For The Arts Reveals 2025 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2025

Ancram Center for the Arts has announced its 2025 season which includes, in addition to its renown storytelling programs, a regional premiere, three site-specific original performances, and two staged readings.
Rattlestick Theater Begins $4.5 Million Renovation of West Village Home
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2025

Renovations have begun at Rattlestick Theater's home in the heart of the West Village. First built in 1854 and occupied by Rattlestick since 1999, Rattlestick’s two-floor building at 224 Waverly Place will undergo an overhaul. Learn more!
a.k. payne Wins The 2025 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize For FURLOUGH'S PARADISE
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 11, 2025

The 2025 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been given to U.S. playwright a.k. payne for their play Furlough's Paradise. Awarded annually since 1978, the prestigious international Prize is the largest and oldest award recognizing women+ who have written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre. 
New Musical ICEBOY!, THEATER OF THE MIND World Premieres and More Set for Goodman Theatre Centennial Season
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 25, 2025

Celebrate a century of innovation at Goodman Theatre with six world premieres, including two musicals, a major cultural attraction, and beloved annual productions. Join us for a year-long citywide event and a festival of new plays from September 2025 to August 2026.
Finalists Revealed For The 2025 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
by Stephi Wild - Feb 4, 2025

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced this year's finalists for the prestigious international playwriting award. Learn more about the finalists and the award here!
Judges and Date Set For The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
by Stephi Wild - Jan 27, 2025

The organizers of The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize have announced that the playwriting award will be presented at an invitation-only event on Monday, March 10 at Playwrights Horizons in New York City. Learn more here!
RED BULL THEATER's SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL 2025 Submissions Now Open
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 7, 2025

Red Bull Theater has announced that submissions are now open for Red Bull's ANNUAL SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL. Featuring six brand new 10-minute plays of heightened language and classic themes inspired by this year's theme, “Defiance,”
Professor Christian Parker Expands Definition of Dramaturgy at Columbia University School of the Arts
by Team BWW - Nov 26, 2024

In classes led by Professor of Professional Practice in Theatre Christian Parker ’98, students soon learn their first surprising lesson: as dramaturgs, they are expected to get creatively involved.
United Solo Announces Fall 2024 Special Award Nominees
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 15, 2024

United Solo has announced the nominees for their annual United Solo Special Award.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Dael Orlandersmith written?

Dael Orlandersmith has written 4 shows including Beauty's Daughter (Playwright), Monster (Playwright), The Gimmick (Playwright), Yellowman (Playwright).

What awards has Dael Orlandersmith been nominated for?

Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play (Drama League Awards) for Until the Flood, Best Solo Performance () for Forever, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Yellowman, John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Yellowman, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Yellowman and The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Yellowman.

What awards has Dael Orlandersmith won?

Dael Orlandersmith won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play for her performance in Yellowman.

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Videos