Kara Young
Black Joy Takes Center Stage at the Inaugural Black Broadway Nominee Soirée (Jun 8, 2026)
Photos: 2026 Tony Awards- Stars Walk the Red Carpet (Jun 7, 2026)
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE Recoups (Jun 4, 2026)
BIO
Broadway: Purpose (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Drama League Nomination, Outer Critics Circle nomination), Purlie Victorious (Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award and Drama League nomination), Cost Of Living (Tony Nomination), Clyde’s (Theatre World Award, Tony and Drama Desk nominations). Off-Broadway: Gruesome Playground Injuries, Table 17 (Lucille Lortell Award), Twelfth Night (Obie Award), All The Natalie Portmans (Lucille Lortel nomination), Halfway Bitches Go Straight To Heaven. Additional credits: The New Englanders, The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll’d, Syncing Ink, and Pretty Hunger. On screen, Kara starred in Boots Riley’s series for Prime Video, “I’m A Virgo” (Breakthrough Performance Film Independent Spirit nomination). Upcoming, she co-leads Aleshea Harris’ feature film Is God Is and can be seen in Boots Riley’s feature film I Love Boosters.
Photos
STAGE CREDITS
Movies
[ 2009 ] Leticia
[ 2012 ] Kara
[ 2012 ] Lisa
[ 2013 ] Lisa
[ 2015 ] Audition Monitor
[ 2017 ] DJ Love Jones
[ 2017 ] Harley Patrón
[ 2020 ] Darla
[ 2020 ] Kara
[ 2020 ] LolaLaHaynes
[ 2022 ] Charlie August
[ 2022 ] Scha
[ 2024 ] Mari Winters
[ 2025 ] Fatima
[ 2026 ]
TV Shows
Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins
Awards and Nominations
Kara Young, Gruesome Playground Injuries
Kara Young, Gruesome Playground Injuries
winner
Kara Young, Purpose
Kara Young, Table 17
Kara Young, Purpose
Kara Young, Purpose
winner
Kara Young, Purpose
Kara Young, Purlie Victorious
Kara Young, Purlie Victorious
winner
Kara Young, Purlie Victorious
winner
Kara Young, Purlie Victorious
Kara Young, Cost of Living
Kara YoungTwelfth Night
Kara Young, Cost of Living
winner
Kara YoungTwelfth Night
winner
Kara Young, Clyde's
Kara Young, Clyde's
Videos
Video: Kara Young and Mallori Johnson Bonded While Playing Twins in IS GOD IS
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-05-15 14:06:22
Video: For Aleshea Harris, Directing IS GOD IS Was 'a Baptism by Fire'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-05-15 12:10:39
Video/Photos: IS GOD IS Featurette Offers New Look at Aleshea Harris Film
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-24 10:50:56
Video: Kara Young Stars in First Trailer for IS GOD IS Film Adaptation
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-20 10:28:09
Video: Nicholas Braun & Kara Young Talk Starring in GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES on TODAY
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-06 16:45:36
Video: Broadway Stars on What Pride Means to Them – Bernadette Peters, André De Shields & More
by Michael Major - 2025-06-10 16:28:02
Video: Kara Young Celebrates Tony Win for Best Featured Actress in a Play
by Joey Mervis - 2025-06-08 22:27:37
Video: Kara Young Recalls Falling in Love with Performing During a Mime Class
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-03 15:59:50
Video: PURPOSE Cast Talks 'Genius' Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins & More on TAMRON HALL
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-18 11:35:37
Video: Phylicia Rashad Talks Directing Broadway's PURPOSE, Praises Collaborators
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-12 17:11:36
Video: Kara Young Responds to Tony Win for Best Featured Actress in a Play
by Joey Mervis - 2024-06-17 08:37:44
Video: Leslie Odom, Jr. on His Tony Nomination- 'This One's Personal'
by Joey Mervis - 2024-05-13 16:34:37
Video: Broadway's Best Unite with Shubert Foundation to Support Theatre in Our Schools
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-04-08 15:21:13
Video: Watch an All New Montage of PURLIE VICTORIOUS on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2023-12-28 14:04:02
News
by Cynthia L. Dorsey - Jun 8, 2026
It’s Tony Award season and all the pre- and post-show gatherings are happening in real time, celebrating an amazing Broadway season. Among the who's who events of the season was the Black Broadway Nominee Soirée, held on Friday, June 5, hosted by three-time Tony Award-winning producer Lamar Richardson and his wife, Zaire Julion-Richardson.
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 7, 2026
The stars are aligning at Rockefeller Center! That's where the best of Broadway comes together today to walk the red carpet ahead of the 79th Annual Tony Awards- the biggest celebration in the American theatre. BroadwayWorld of course will be on hand at Radio City Music Hall all night to keep you up to speed on what's going on onstage, backstage, and behind the scenes!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 4, 2026
Purpose has officially recouped its $5.25 million capitalization. Recoupment was achieved with the aid of the New York State Tax Credit as well as the operating profits from Purpose's Broadway run.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 4, 2026
The Tony Awards has revealed the line-up of stage and screen stars slated to appear during the 79th Annual Tony Awards, including Rachel Zegler, Darren Criss, Cole Escola and many more.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
Something's coming! The best of Broadway will take the stage Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by P!nk. Need a refresher on how to watch and when? We've got you covered!
by Team BWW - Jun 2, 2026
This is the final chance to vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 1, 2026
Black Women on Broadway (BWOB) recently held its fifth annual awards celebration, honoring Debra Martin Chase, Whitney White, Alana Raquel Bowers, and Destiny Lilly for their contributions to the theater industry. The event was hosted by BWOB co-founders Danielle Brooks, Amber Iman, and Jocelyn Bioh.
by Team BWW - May 29, 2026
There's just four days left to vote for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
by Josh Sharpe - May 22, 2026
During a recent episode of Michelle Obama's podcast, IMO, she welcomed Proof stars Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri to discuss the production and her own involvement as a producer. Check it out now.
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - May 18, 2026
The best of the New York City theatre community gathered at Town Hall for the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards. Stars in attendance included John Lithgow, Norbert Leo Butz, Alex Brightman, Beth Leavel, Donna McKechnie, and more. Check out photos here!
by Nicole Rosky - May 17, 2026
The best of the New York City theatre community was at Town Hall for the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards, the theater award honoring excellence across all of New York City’s theatrical landscape. Check out a full list of winners here.
by Josh Sharpe - May 15, 2026
Alongside Mallori Johnson, two-time Tony winner Kara Young is starring in Is God Is, the film adaptation of Alesha Harris’s award-winning play. Learn how the pair connected while playing twin sisters in this exclusive interview.
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026
The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.
by Josh Sharpe - May 15, 2026
Aleshea Harris is making her feature directorial debut with Is God Is, her new film adaptation of her award-winning play. BroadwayWorld caught up with the writer, who spoke about her experience directing for the first time and how she brought the world of the play to the big screen.
by Josh Sharpe - May 14, 2026
Reviews are in for Is God Is, Aleshea Harris's new film adaptation of her play starring two-time Tony-winner Kara Young and Mallori Johnson. Find out what critics think of the film in our review roundup.
by Stephi Wild - May 13, 2026
On Monday May 11, WP Theater celebrated their annual gala honoring extraordinary achievement by women+ artists and industry leaders. Check out photos here!
by Alan Portner - May 11, 2026
It is not often that Kansas City audiences get the chance to see the “World Premiere” engagement of a new comedy from an award-winning Broadway performer and playwright. This month Unicorn Theatre presents “Don’t Touch My Hair,” by Douglas Lyons.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 7, 2026
Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren will join the cast of the first ever Broadway revival of David Auburn’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof in June.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
The 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards is set to be the largest gathering in the organization's seven-decade history — with the most Drama Desk winners and nominees, past and present, ever assembled for the ceremony.
by Jennifer Broski - May 4, 2026
The 41st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards – the only New York theatre award to exclusively honor Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway – were presented at the annual ceremony at NYU Skirball. See photos from the red carpet here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Kara Young has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.
Kara Young has not appeared in the West End.
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Gruesome Playground Injuries, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play (The Lortels) for Gruesome Playground Injuries, Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Purpose, DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE (Drama League Awards) for Table 17, DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE (Drama League Awards) for Purpose, Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Purpose, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Purpose, Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Distinguished Performance (Drama League Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Cost of Living, Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Cost of Living, Performance Award (Obie Awards) for Twelfth Night, Theatre World Awards (Theatre World Awards) for Clyde's and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Clyde's.
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Purpose, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Purpose, Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Performance Award (Obie Awards) for Twelfth Night, and Theatre World Awards (Theatre World Awards) for Clyde's.
Videos
