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Jay O. Sanders

Birth Place: Austin, TX, USA

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Jay O. Sanders BIO

Currently in: Primary Trust. Past Roundabout as Doolittle in Pygmalion. He was most recently seen as Falstaff in TFANA’s open workshop of Henry IV parts 1&2, Nick Laine in Conor McPherson’s Girl From The North Country, and David Michaels in Richard Nelson’s What Happened?: The Michaels Abroad, which completed The Rhinebeck Panorama; a cycle of 12 new plays which began at the Public Theater in 2010, on which he collaborated with his wife, Maryann Plunkett. Sanders notably played the title roles in Uncle Vanya for Hunter Theater Project and Cyrano de Bergerac at the Guthrie Theater, as well as appearing in numerous television projects (True Detective, Sneaky Pete, The Sinner, Law & Order, Manhunt), films; (The Day After Tomorrow, JFK, Kiss the Girls, Edge of Darkness, Tumbleweeds, and most recently Alejandro Iñárritu’s BARDO and Jesse Eisenberg’s When You Finish Saving The World), and has narrated a long list of documentaries, mostly for PBS. As a writer, his play, Unexplored Interior, delving into the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda, was the inaugural production of Washington D.C.’s Mosaic Theater.

Jay O. Sanders Photos

Jay O. Sanders STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2023
Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2023
Clay

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Nick Laine

[New York]
Public Theater Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
David Michael

[Off-Broadway]
Public World Premiere Production, 2016
George Gabriel

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Original Off-Broadway Production, 2016
George Gabriel

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park, 2014
Kent

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2012
Richard Apple

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2011
Titus Andronicus

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare In The Park Revival, 2009
Sir Toby Belch

[Off-Broadway]
2008
Ghost of Hamlet's Father/ Player King/ Gravedigger

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2007
Alfred Doolittle

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Bottom

[Off-Broadway]
2006
George W. Bush

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Phillip

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Sergeant John Falstaff

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2004
Falstaff

[Off-Broadway]
2002
Performer [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1993
Dunois

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Bobby Jr.

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Phillip

[Off-Broadway]
1986
MacDuff

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Seargant Wolff

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1983
Lt. Stephen Maryk

[Off-Broadway]
1982
Milo McGee McGarr [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 1981
Performer

Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Orsino

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Performer

[Broadway]
1979
Doug

[Off-Broadway]
1978
Bradley

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Barnardine

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Westmoreland

Exeter (Understudy)

Jay O. Sanders Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director

Jay O. Sanders Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play

Jay O. Sanders, Primary Trust


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Jay O. SandersUncle Vanya


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Ensemble Performance

Jay O. SandersSweet and Sad


winner
Obie Awards - 2012 - Performance

Jay O. SandersSweet and Sad

The Lortels - 2012 - Outstanding Lead Actor

Jay O. Sanders, Titus Andronicus

Jay O. Sanders Videos

Jay O. Sanders News


DEAD OUTLAW, STEREOPHONIC & More Lead in Nominations for 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards


Read the full list of 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations! Leading the nominations are Stereophonic and Dead Outlaw.

Photos: On the Red Carpet For Opening Night of PATRIOTS On Broadway


Michael Stuhlbarg is back on Broadway in Patriots, the timely new play by Peter Morgan, and directed by two-time Olivier Award winner Rupert Goold. See photos from the red carpet at Broadway turns out to celebrate opening night of this new political drama.

Interview: Lowell Native Maryann Plunkett Brings Real-Life Experience to THE NOTEBOOK: THE MUSICAL


Tony Award winner Maryann Plunkett has played a wide range of roles in her Broadway career. The Lowell native’s latest, an elderly woman dealing with dementia, in “The Notebook: The Musical,” may be her most personal, however, as she recalls her own mother’s struggle with debilitating memory loss to bring her current character to life.

Photos: THE NOTEBOOK's Dorian Harewood Receives Portrait at Sardi's


Dorian Harewood, “Older Noah” in the new Broadway musical The Notebook, based on the bestselling novel that inspired the iconic film, received a Sardi’s portrait on Friday, March 22nd. Check out photos from the event here!

Photos: MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION Opens as Part of Gingold Theatrical Group's PROJECT SHAW


Directed by Lily Kanter Riopelle, Mrs. Warren’s Profession was presented at Symphony Space’s Leonard NimoyThalia Theatre (2537 Broadway at 95th Street) on Monday March 18, 2024, at 7PM. Check out photos here!

Photos: Inside THE NOTEBOOK Opening Night Party


The Notebook officially opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre last week. Following the show's opening, the cast celebrated the big night at an after party at Tavern on the Green. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration, and you can check out photos here!

Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of THE NOTEBOOK


The Notebook officially opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre last week. Opening night was held on March 14th, and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos of the VIPs arriving at the big night here!

MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION to be Presented as Part of Gingold Theatrical Group's PROJECT SHAW


Mrs. Warren’s Profession by George Bernard Shaw will kick-off Gingold Theatrical Group's 19th season of Project Shaw.

Video: PURLIE VICTORIOUS Takes its Final Bows on Broadway


This weekend, Purlie Victorious took its final bow at the Music Box Theatre following 23 previews and 151 regular performances. The final show took place on February 4. Check out a video of the final curtain call here!

2 Broadway Shows Close Today


Purlie Victorious takes its final bow at the Music Box Theatre following 23 previews and 151 regular performances; and Harmony will conclude its run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre following 28 previews and 96 regular performances.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adrienne Warren, and Melba Moore Join Talkback Series at PURLIE VICTORIOUS


A slew of stars are joining the lineup for 'Victorious Talkbacks' the series of post-show events following performances of the Broadway revival of the American comedy Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by Ossie Davis starring Leslie Odom, Jr.

Video: Watch an All New Montage of PURLIE VICTORIOUS on Broadway


Watch a montage of Purlie Victorious on Broadway, starring Leslie Odom Jr. & more!

PURLIE VICTORIOUS Profiled on 'THEATER: All The Moving Parts', on CUNY TV


Host Patrick Pacheco is first joined by cast members Kara Young, Jay O. Sanders, and Heather Alicia Simms, who talk about their provocative roles in this sly and subversive comedy in which white supremacy meets its worst nightmare. Then critic Brittani Samuel and CUNY Professor Hillary Miller place Davis's groundbreaking drama.

Exclusive Photos: Go Inside Red Bull Theater's THE COUNTRY WIFE Gala Celebration


Red Bull Theater and Art Lab Productions presented the first major New York presentation of Maltby & Shire’s new musical, The Country Wife. See photos!

Exclusive Photos: Inside Red Bull Theater's Presentation of Maltby and Shire's THE COUNTRY WIFE


Red Bull Theater and Art Lab Productions presented the first major New York presentation of Maltby & Shire’s new musical, The Country Wife on Monday December 11th at the Peter Norton Symphony Space. This concert event was a celebratory fundraiser for Red Bull Theater. Proceeds help to make all of its programs possible. Check out photos from the event here!

Red Bull Theater 20th Anniversary To Feature Audra McDonald, Patrick Page, Santino Fontana, Reeve Carney, and More


RED BULL THEATER has announced details of its plans for 2024, celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Highlights include the rolling world premiere of Medea: Re-Versed opening Off-Broadway; a new season of OBIE Award-winning Revelation Readings with an all-star line-up (offered both in-person and online); and an all-new season of the popular Red Bull Theater Podcasts (formerly known as RemarkaBULL Podversations), intimate behind the scenes conversations with great artists.

Photos: Hillary Clinton Visits PURLIE VICTORIOUS on Broadway


At the Wednesday evening performance of PURLIE VICTORIOUS: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch, the cast, led by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young, was treated to a special visit from former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton backstage at the Music Box Theatre. See photos here!

Words From The Wings: Noah Robbins of PURLIE VICTORIOUS Shares Favorite Backstage Moments and More!


BroadwayWorld is bringing you Words From the Wings, a new series of interviews that take fans behind the scenes of some of their favorite Broadway stars' backstage routines! We're chatting with Noah Robbins of Purlie Victorious. Noah told us all about his favorite backstage moments, routines and more!

Photos: PURLIE VICTORIOUS Welcomes Angela Bassett, Alicia Keys, Mariska Hargitay & Hilary Swank


See photos from a special Saturday Night on Broadway! The Music Box Theatre was graced by multiple celebrities on Saturday Night for the performance of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch. 

Anthony Rapp's WITHOUT YOU is Coming to Boston for Limited Two-Week Engagement


Actor Anthony Rapp is bringing his critically-acclaimed solo musical, WITHOUT YOU to Boston for two-week limited engagement, presented by ATG Colonial.

Jay O. Sanders FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Jay O. Sanders next theatre project?

Jay O. Sanders's next show will be Purlie Victorious which opens on 9/27/2023 on Broadway.

How many Broadway shows has Jay O. Sanders been in?

Jay O. Sanders has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Jay O. Sanders been in?

Jay O. Sanders has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Jay O. Sanders been nominated for?

Jay O. Sanders has been nominated for several awards including Outstanding Actor in a Play for Uncle Vanya at the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Sweet and Sad at the Drama Desk Awards, Performance at the Obie Awards for Sweet and Sad, and Outstanding Lead Actor for Titus Andronicus at The Lortels.

What awards has Jay O. Sanders won?

Jay O. Sanders has won the following awards: Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Ensemble Performance at the Drama Desk Awards for Sweet and Sad, and Performance at the Obie Awards for Sweet and Sad.

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