James Ijames

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James Ijames 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.


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Playwright Aleshea Harris Wins the 2023 Kesselring Prize for Playwriting

Explore the latest news from the National Arts Club regarding the Kesselring Prize. Stay updated on the details of the award and its significance in the world of Broadway.

Reneé Rapp, FELLOW TRAVELERS & More Win GLAAD Media Awards

Reneé Rapp, Fellow Travelers, and more received GLAAD Media Awards at last night's Los Angeles ceremony. Nominees included The Color Purple, Rustin, Billy Porter, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and more. Check out the winners from the Los Angeles ceremony now!

Cast and Creative Team Set For FAT HAM at Seattle Rep

Seattle Rep has announced the cast and creative team for their upcoming production of Fat Ham, a reimagining of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet set at a Southern Black family cookout.

FAT HAM to Make Atlanta Debut at the Alliance Theatre

The Alliance Theatre will present the Atlanta debut of FAT HAM. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Island City Stage, Gablestage And Brévo Theatre Receive $250,000 Warten Foundation Grant To Produce FAT HAM

Island City Stage, GableStage, and Brévo Theatre have been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Warten Foundation to produce the Pulitzer Prize-winning play FAT HAM in South Florida, marking a significant investment in local theater.

Review: FAT HAM Serves Cookout Chaos Realness at City Theatre

James Ijames's Pulitzer-winning comedy Fat Ham is less an adaptation or reimagining of Hamlet, and more a play ABOUT Hamlet, a response to Hamlet. The characters are all too aware of how their stories and behaviors are mirroring characters from Shakespeare's tragedy: they quote it, riff on it, confirm or refute its influence on them.

EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE & More Lead Atlanta's Spring 2024 Top Theatre Shows

Atlanta is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for Spring 2024 include Everybody's Talking About Jamie and more!

People's Light Hosts Acclaimed Theatre Artists At Malvern Campus For Second New Works Residency Program, The Kiln

Malvern-based theatre company People's Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355) announces the second year of its New Works Lab, The Kiln, an annual program where theatre artists are invited to gather, develop, and showcase works-in-progress.

Manhattan Theatre Club Announces Lineup For 2024 Ted Snowdon Reading Series

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the lineup for the 2024 Ted Snowdon Reading Series.

City Theatre To Present Pulitzer Prize-Winning FAT HAM By James Ijames

City Theatre has announced the fourth show of its 2023/2024 season, Fat Ham by James Ijames, a co-production with TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, AR.

Applications Now Open for Philadelphia Theatre Company's 2024 Terrance McNally Award

Applications are open through February 12 for Philadelphia Theatre Company’s 2024 Terrence McNally Award. Find out how to apply!

Photos: First Look At The PlayMakers Repertory Company Production Of FAT HAM

When Fat Ham opens at PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill this week, it will be the first time an audience sees the Pulitzer Prize-winning show on a North Carolina Stage. See photos!

SPAMALOT, SWEPT AWAY And More Nominated for 2024 Helen Hayes Awards

Tonight, at a celebration honoring outstanding theatre on stages across the Washington area, theatre artists, administrators, patrons, and special guests gathered at the ATLAS Performing Arts Center for Theatre Washington's announcement of nominees for the 40th Helen Hayes Awards.

FAT HAM, Billy Porter & More Receive GLAAD Award Nominations

GLAAD, the world's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, has announced the nominees for the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, including five Broadway shows, Billy Porter, Reneé Rapp, The Color Purple, High School Musical the Musical the Series, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, and more.

World Premiere of DIRTY WHITE TESLAS MAKE ME SAD to be Presented by The Magic Theatre and Campo Santo

The Magic Theatre and Campo Santo will present the world premiere of 'Dirty White Teslas Make Me Sad' by Ashley Smiley.

Cast Set For the West Coast Premiere of FAT HAM, Opening at Geffen Playhouse in March

Geffen Playhouse has announced the full cast for its West Coast premiere of the Broadway production of five-time Tony Award nominee and 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner Fat Ham. Find out who is starring in the show and how to get tickets here!

PlayMakers Repertory Company Announces Full Casting For FAT HAM

Juicy gets a visit from his father's ghost seeking revenge for his death by his brother – now married to his mother. Sound familiar?

Interview: Theatre Life with Gaelyn D. Smith

Today’s subject Gaelyn D. Smith is currently living her theatre life onstage at Studio Theatre in the show that just seems to keep going and going Fat Ham playing the role of Opal. The show is now running through January 14th in Studio’s Mead Theatre. For those of you thinking, “I’ll wait because the show will extend its run again”, please be advised January 14th is the definite final performance.

Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Laura Linney, and More Star in New Audio Plays From Audible

Audible has released a new slate of five Audible Theater titles, which star Broadway talent including Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Laura Linney, and more. Learn more about the full slate here!

CENTER OF THE YOUNIVERSE & More Set for Audible Theater December Audio Slate

Audible Theater has revealed its December audio slate, featuring five new originals.

James Ijames FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

James Ijames has won 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 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play from The Barrymore Awards for Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches.

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