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James Ijames

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BIO

JAMES IJAMES is a Pulitzer Prize winning and Tony Award nominated playwright, a director and educator.



James’ plays have been produced by Flashpoint Theater Company, Orbiter 3, Theatre Horizon, Wilma Theatre, Theatre Exile, Azuka Theatre (Philadelphia, PA), The National Black Theatre, JACK, The Public Theater (NYC), Hudson Valley Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Definition Theatre, Timeline Theater (Chicago IL) Shotgun Players (Berkeley, CA) and have received development with PlayPenn New Play Conference, The Lark, Playwright's Horizon, Clubbed Thumb, Villanova Theater, Wilma Theater, Azuka Theatre and Victory Garden.

James is the 2011 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Artist recipient, and two Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play for The Brothers Size with Simpatico Theatre Company and Gem of the Ocean with Arden Theatre. James is a 2015 Pew Fellow for Playwriting, the 2015 winner of the Terrance McNally New Play Award for WHITE, the 2015 Kesselring Honorable Mention Prize winner for ....Miz Martha, a 2017 recipient of the Whiting Award, a 2019 Kesselring Prize for Kill Move Paradise, a 2020 and 2022 Steinberg Prize, the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Drama recipient and a 2023 Tony nominee for Best Play for Fat Ham

James was a founding member of Orbiter 3, Philadelphia’s first playwright producing collective.

He received a B.A. in Drama from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and a M.F.A. in Acting from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. James an Associate Professor of Theatre at Villanova University. He resides in South Philadelphia.


Photos

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Book

Writing

Playwright

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Play

James Ijames, Fat Ham


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - John Gassner Award for New American Play

James Ijames, Fat Ham


winner
Obie Awards - 2022 - Special Citation

James Ijames, Fat Ham


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2022 - Pulitzer Prize for Drama

James Ijames, Fat Ham


winner
The Barrymore Awards - 2012 - Outstanding supporting actor in a play

James IjamesAngels in America part one: Millennium Approaches

Videos

News


SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OF THE MIDDLE CLASSES and CREDITORS Set Audible Release Dates
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 18, 2025

Audible Theater and TOGETHER concluded their collaboration at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City. Learn more about their upcoming audible releases!
THE SNOW QUEEN and More Set for The Wilma Theater 2025-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2025

Philadelphia-based theater company The Wilma Theater has revealed four productions for its 2025-26 season. See the full lineup here and learn how to purchase tickets.
PRIMARY TRUST, CAESAR And More Set for Philadelphia Theatre Company 2025/26 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 17, 2025

Philadelphia Theatre Company has announced its 2025/26 season, featuring three dynamic mainstage productions and a robust lineup of special programming.
BWW Q&A: Jonathan Norton on Crafting the 2025/2026 Season at Dallas Theater Center
by Joshua Wright - Jun 10, 2025

Interim Artistic Director Jonathan Norton discusses Dallas Theater Center’s 2025–26 season, including his world premiere play Malcolm X & Redd Foxx Washing Dishes, and how the lineup reflects the city’s diversity and artistic future.
Review: JAMES IJAMES FAT HAM at American Stage
by Drew Eberhard - Jun 9, 2025

Fat Ham is a dramatic play, and a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. James IJames play received the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was nominated for 5 Tony Awards, including Best Play.
REVIEW: FAT HAM at the Austin Playhouse
by Lynn Beaver - Jun 7, 2025

A bold, hilarious, and deeply moving reimagining of Hamlet. Austin Playhouse’s Fat Ham is a theatrical triumph—perfectly cast, brilliantly directed, and bursting with heart, humor, and power. Don’t miss this unforgettable ride.
Kristolyn Lloyd, Jackson Kanawha Perry and More Take Part in SATURDAY CHURCH Reading
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 3, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop just presented a reading of SATURDAY CHURCH, which will be included in its upcoming season. In addition to previously announced Bryson Battle, J. Harrison Ghee, Joaquina Kalukango and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, the reading featured Kristolyn Lloyd, B Noel Thomas, Caleb Russell Quezon, Jackson Kanawha Perry, J Cameron Barnett, Jimin Moon, Primo Segar, Damani Van Rensalier, Venus Deleon, and Michael George.
Video: GODDESS Stars Amber Iman and Austin Scott Perform, 'Near You'; Final Extension Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 3, 2025

The Public Theater has announced a final extension for Goddess, the acclaimed new musical currently playing downtown. Originally slated to close earlier this month, the production will now run through Sunday, June 15. Watch the video.
Video: Amber Iman Sings 'Learn to Love' from GODDESS at the Public Theater
by Nicole Rosky - May 30, 2025

The Public Theater is now presenting GODDESS, making its New York debut after a successful world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Watch in this video as Amber Iman performs 'Learn to Love':
No Guarantees Productions Takes Over Astor Place Theater, Former Home of BLUE MAN GROUP
by Stephi Wild - May 27, 2025

Following the closing of Blue Man Group after 34 years, Astor Place Theater is being taken over by No Guarantees Productions. Learn more about what this means for the future of the theater!
Video: Watch Highlights from GODDESS at the Public Theater
by Nicole Rosky - May 23, 2025

The Public Theater is now presenting GODDESS, making its New York debut after a successful world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The production will run through Sunday, June 8 in the Newman Theater. Watch highlights in this video!
Photos: GODDESS Opens at the Public Theater
by Jennifer Broski - May 21, 2025

The Public Theater is now presenting GODDESS, making its New York debut after a world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The production officially opened last night, May 20. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos here!
Review Roundup: Amber Iman Stars In GODDESS At the Public Theater
by A.A. Cristi - May 21, 2025

Tony-nominee Amber Iman stars in the new musical GODDESS at The Public Theater, making its New York debut after a successful world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Read reviews for the production's NYC premiere!
Photos: First Look at GODDESS at the Public Theater
by Nicole Rosky - May 20, 2025

The Public Theater is now presenting GODDESS, making its New York debut after a successful world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The production will run through Sunday, June 8 in the Newman Theater. Check out photos of the cast in action here!
What is the History of New Musicals at the Public Theater?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 20, 2025

The new musical Goddess can currently be seen in its New York premiere production at the Public Theater on Lafayette Street. Directed by the Public’s associate artistic director and resident director Saheem Ali, who is currently Tony Award-nominated for directing Buena Vista Social Club, Goddess is playing at the Public’s largest space by capacity, the Newman Theatre.
Previews: FAT HAM at American Stage
by Deborah Bostock-Kelley - May 12, 2025

James Ijames’ 'Fat Ham' has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and it's easy to see why. The play’s innovative approach breathes new life into Shakespeare’s tale, intertwining themes of identity, queerness, and familial pressure with a unique blend of comedy and drama. With such a balance of humor and pathos, audiences can expect to be both entertained and deeply moved.
Dallas Theater Center Announces 2025-26 Season
by Team BWW - May 9, 2025

Dallas Theater Center has announced its 2025–26 season, featuring a mix of beloved classics, regional and world premieres that reflect the company’s commitment to powerful storytelling and community dialogue
New Musical From Rachel Chavkin & The Bengsons, and More Joins New York Theatre Workshop 2025/26 Season
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop has announced its 2025/26 Season featuring three world premiere productions and a fourth offering for Spring 2026 that has yet to be announced.
DEAR EVAN HANSEN and More Set for Arden Theatre Company 2025-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2025

Philadelphia-based Arden Theatre Company has unveiled its 2025-26 season, featuring a dynamic lineup of performances including Dear Evan Hansen and more!
How are Tony Nominees Decided?
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 25, 2025

For Broadway fans, the highlight of every spring is the announcement of the Tony Award nominations—the most prestigious recognition in American theatre. But how are Tony nominees chosen, and who gets to decide? In this guide, we break down the Tony Awards nomination process and reveal how Broadway’s biggest honors are determined.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has James Ijames been nominated for?

Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Fat Ham, John Gassner Award for New American Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Fat Ham, Special Citation (Obie Awards) for Fat Ham, Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Fat Ham and Outstanding supporting actor in a play (The Barrymore Awards) for Angels in America part one: Millennium Approaches.

What awards has James Ijames won?

James Ijames has received several prestigious awards, including the John Gassner Award for New American Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Fat Ham, a Special Citation from the Obie Awards for Fat Ham, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Fat Ham, and the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play award from the Barrymore Awards for Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches.

How many shows has James Ijames written?

James Ijames has written 1 shows including Good Bones (Playwright).

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