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BIO

KARA YOUNG recently starred on Broadway as ‘Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins’ in Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, for which she won a 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play. She had made history prior to her win, as her third consecutive Tony nomination makes her the first Black performer to be nominated three years in a row. Additionally, her performance in Purlie Victorious has earned her an Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award and Drama League nomination. Young was most recently seen starring in MCC Theater’s Table 17. In 2022, she made her Broadway debut in Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s, for which she earned a Theatre World Award and her first Tony nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play. In 2023, she was Tony nominated for her work in Cost of Living and won an Obie Award for her performance in the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s production of Twelfth Night. Kara can next be seen starring in the feature film Is God Is. She can also be seen in Boots Riley’s I’m a Virgo for Prime Video, which earned her an Indie Spirit Nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance. She appeared in HBO Max’s “The Staircase” as well as Netflix’s “The Punisher” and starred in the winning Sundance Short, Hair Wolf. Kara also starred in MCC Theater’s All The Natalie Portmans, for which she received a Lucille Lortel Award Nomination. Her other stage credits include Halfway Bitches Go Straight To Heaven, New Englanders, Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll’d and Pretty Hunger.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

The Whoopi Monologues
[Off-Broadway]
2026
Ensemble
Gruesome Playground Injuries
[Off-Broadway]
2025
Kayleen
Purpose Purpose
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2025
Performer
Table 17 Table 17
[Off-Broadway]
MCC Theatre Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2024
Jada
Purlie Victorious Purlie Victorious
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2023
Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins
Cost of Living Cost of Living
[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Original Broadway Production, 2022
Jess
Clyde's Clyde's
[Broadway]
2021
Performer
All the Natalie Portmans All the Natalie Portmans
[Off-Broadway]
MCC Theater's Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2020
Cast
Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
[Off-Broadway]
Atlantic Theatre's Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
The New Englanders The New Englanders
[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
Performer
The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll'd
[Off-Broadway]
World Premier Production, 2018
Karma

Movies

Lunatics Lovers & Actors
[ 2009 ] Leticia
Saving Julian
[ 2012 ] Kara
Cybornetics
[ 2012 ] Lisa
Cybornetics: Urban Cyborg
[ 2013 ] Lisa
Fishbowl
[ 2015 ] Audition Monitor
Bruce!!!!
[ 2017 ] DJ Love Jones
Meat Puppet: The Filmed Experience
[ 2017 ] Harley Patrón
King of Knives
[ 2020 ] Darla
Materna
[ 2020 ] Kara
Chemical Hearts
[ 2020 ] LolaLaHaynes
Blow Up My Life
[ 2022 ] Charlie August
Master
[ 2022 ] Scha
We Strangers
[ 2024 ] Mari Winters
The Hand That Feeds
[ 2025 ] Fatima
Is God Is
[ 2026 ]

TV Shows

Great Performances
Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Kara Young, Purpose

Drama League Awards - 2025 - DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE

Kara Young, Purpose

Drama League Awards - 2025 - DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE

Kara Young, Table 17

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play

Kara Young, Purpose


winner
Tony Awards - 2025 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Purpose

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious

Drama League Awards - 2024 - Distinguished Performance

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious


winner
Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Purlie Victorious

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Kara Young, Cost of Living

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

Kara YoungTwelfth Night

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Cost of Living


winner
Obie Awards - 2022 - Performance Award

Kara YoungTwelfth Night


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2022 - Theatre World Awards

Kara Young, Clyde's

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Kara Young, Clyde's

Videos

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News


Full Cast Announced for TWELVE HOURS WITH TRACY LETTS for Marathon Reading Event Photo
Full Cast Announced for TWELVE HOURS WITH TRACY LETTS for Marathon Reading Event
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 19, 2026

James Caan, Michael Rispoli, Raul Segarra, and Sarah Shapiro will star in the daylong theater reading festival TWELVE HOURS WITH TRACY LETTS, showcasing continuous performances.
Chalse Okeke, Sheldon J. Nicholas, Bryce Foley, & Celestine Rae Set For Benefit Readi Photo
Chalse Okeke, Sheldon J. Nicholas, Bryce Foley, & Celestine Rae Set For Benefit Reading Of IS GOD IS
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 10, 2026

Terry Knickerbocker Studio will present a one-day-only reading of IS GOD IS by Aleshea Harris on Sunday February 22nd at 3pm at The Landing In Industry City, benefiting the Equity in Acting Excellence Project.
Chalse Okeke, Sheldon J. Nicholas, Bryce Foley, & Celestine Rae Set for Benefit Readi Photo
Chalse Okeke, Sheldon J. Nicholas, Bryce Foley, & Celestine Rae Set for Benefit Reading of IS GOD IS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 10, 2026

Terry Knickerbocker Studio has will present a one-day-only reading of IS GOD IS by Aleshea Harris at The Landing In Industry City, benefiting the Equity in Acting Excellence Project.
Beanie Feldstein, John Gallagher Jr. and More Join TWELVE HOURS WITH TRACY LETTS Photo
Beanie Feldstein, John Gallagher Jr. and More Join TWELVE HOURS WITH TRACY LETTS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 10, 2026

Twelve Hours with Tracy Letts, a marathon theater reading festival celebrating the works of Pulitzer Prize winner Letts, has revealed more participating stars, including Beanie Feldstein, John Gallagher Jr. and more.
Museum of Broadway to Feature Costume Exhibit for Black History Month Photo
Museum of Broadway to Feature Costume Exhibit for Black History Month
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2026

The Museum of Broadway has announced a redesign of its permanent costume exhibit will exclusively feature costumes worn by iconic Black performers in celebration of Black History Month.
Brandon Uranowitz to Receive 2026 Jewish Queer Icon Award Photo
Brandon Uranowitz to Receive 2026 Jewish Queer Icon Award
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 22, 2026

JQY (Jewish Queer Youth) will honor Tony Award-winning actor Brandon Uranowitz with the Jewish Queer Icon Award this March and Tony Award-winning producer Riva Marker with the JQY Trailblazer Award.
Mary Schmidt Campbell Joins The Board Of Directors Of The Classical Theatre Of Harlem Photo
Mary Schmidt Campbell Joins The Board Of Directors Of The Classical Theatre Of Harlem
by Stephi Wild - Jan 21, 2026

Mary Schmidt Campbell joins the board of The Classical Theatre of Harlem, enhancing its leadership with her extensive academic and arts expertise. Learn more here!
The Best Theater of 2025: Shows that Ruled the Year Photo
The Best Theater of 2025: Shows that Ruled the Year
by Sidney Paterra - Jan 1, 2026

As 2025 comes to a close, New York City's top theatre critics have been taking stock of this theatre season- deciding on their personal choices for their favorite productions of the year. The season has been full of so many stellar plays, musicals, revivals and new works, both on Broadway and off.
Photos: SUCCESSION Stars Brian Cox and Nicholas Braun Reunite at GRUESOME PLAYGROUND Photo
Photos: SUCCESSION Stars Brian Cox and Nicholas Braun Reunite at GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES
by Bruce Glikas - Dec 29, 2025

Brian Cox and Nicholas Braun, who starred as Logan Roy and Cousin Greg on HBO's Succession, reunited at Gruesome Playground Off-Broadway, where Braun starred in the production. 
Meet the Cast of ALL OUT: COMEDY ABOUT AMBITION, Now in Previews on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of ALL OUT: COMEDY ABOUT AMBITION, Now in Previews on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Dec 12, 2025

The world premiere of All Out: Comedy About Ambition by Simon Rich, with direction by Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers, begins performances on December 12 at the Nederlander Theatre. Meet the cast of All Out here!
The Classical Theatre Of Harlem Adds Performance HARLEM HOLIDAYS With Renée Elise Go Photo
The Classical Theatre Of Harlem Adds Performance HARLEM HOLIDAYS With Renée Elise Goldsberry
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 10, 2025

In response to high demand and a rapid sell-out of the originally scheduled performance, The Classical Theatre of Harlem has added a second show of Harlem Holidays Featuring Renée Elise Goldsberry.
Kristin Chenoweth, Jonathan Groff and More to Join RED BUCKET FOLLIES Photo
Kristin Chenoweth, Jonathan Groff and More to Join RED BUCKET FOLLIES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 5, 2025

Red Bucket Follies will transform six weeks of fundraising into two afternoons of one-of-a-kind songs, skits and dances created by Broadway’s best. Kristin Chenoweth, Jonathan Groff and more are set to join.
Photos: Colt Coeur Celebrates Opening Night of THE SURGEON AND HER DAUGHTERS Photo
Photos: Colt Coeur Celebrates Opening Night of THE SURGEON AND HER DAUGHTERS
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025

On Saturday, November 29 Colt Coeur kicked off their 15th anniversary season with the World Premiere of The Surgeon and Her Daughters by Chris Gabo. See photos of the opening night celebration!
Spotlight: #SAYHERNAME at El Museo del Barrio Photo
Spotlight: #SAYHERNAME at El Museo del Barrio
by BWW Special Offer - Dec 2, 2025

#SayHerName: The Lives That Should Have Been
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld December 1, 2025- Broadway At the 2025 Thanksgiving Day Pa Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld December 1, 2025- Broadway At the 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade and More
by - Dec 1, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is December 1, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend. 
Photos: Leslie Odom Jr., Helen J. Shen, & More Attend Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Photo
Photos: Leslie Odom Jr., Helen J. Shen, & More Attend Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 28, 2025

On Thursday, November 27, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ushered in the holiday season with its 99th march. During the parade, several Broadway stars attended as VIP guests, including Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Chastain, Helen J. Shen, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kara Young, Ana Gasteyer, and more. Check out photos here.
Photos: GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES Celebrates Opening Night Off-Broadway Photo
Photos: GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES Celebrates Opening Night Off-Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 25, 2025

Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries is back on the New York stage, and recently celebrated its gala opening for its off-Broadway run. Check out photos from the opening night here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 25, 2025- First Look At CHICAGO's Newest Stars an Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 25, 2025- First Look At CHICAGO's Newest Stars and More
by - Nov 25, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 25, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Review Roundup: GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES Opens Off-Broadway Photo
Review Roundup: GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES Opens Off-Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Nov 24, 2025

Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries is back on the New York stage in a new production starring three-time Emmy Award nominee Nicholas Braun and two-time Tony Award winner Kara Young. Read the reviews here!
Video: Kara Young Picks the Shows That Shaped Her Photo
Video: Kara Young Picks the Shows That Shaped Her
by Joey Mervis - Nov 22, 2025

In this video, watch as two-time Tony Award winner Kara Young walks us through the aisles of the Drama Book Shop to tell us all about the plays that made her the artist she is today. Can you guess which classics she most adores?
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Kara Young been in?

Kara Young has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Kara Young been in?

Kara Young has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Kara Young been nominated for?

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Purpose, DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE (Drama League Awards) for Purpose, DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE (Drama League Awards) for Table 17, 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.

What awards has Kara Young won?

Kara Young has won several prestigious awards throughout her career. She received the Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for Purpose. Additionally, she won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for Purpose. For her role in Purlie Victorious, she was honored with the Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards and also earned the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards. Kara Young received a Performance Award from the Obie Awards for Twelfth Night and was recognized with the Theatre World Award for Clyde's.

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