Lauren Yee

Lauren Yee is a San Francisco-born playwright known for her unique style and fresh perspective on contemporary issues. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in theater studies and went on to receive her MFA in playwriting from UC San Diego.

Yee’s plays have been produced across the country, including in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including the Steinberg Award, the Horton Foote Prize, and the Kesselring Prize.
One of Yee’s most notable plays is “Cambodian Rock Band,” which premiered at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2018 before moving to New York City’s Signature Theatre. The play follows a young Cambodian-American woman as she uncovers her family’s dark history during the Khmer Rouge regime, all while exploring the vibrant music scene of 1970s Cambodia. The play features live performances of classic Cambodian rock songs and has been praised for its powerful storytelling and unique blend of drama and music.
Yee’s other notable plays include “The Great Leap,” which premiered at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in 2018 before moving to New York City’s Atlantic Theater Company. The play follows a Chinese-American basketball player as he travels to China to play in a tournament, all while confronting his complicated family history and the political tensions between the two countries. The play has been praised for its humor, heart, and nuanced exploration of identity and culture.
Yee has also written for television, including for the HBO series “Insecure” and the upcoming Apple TV+ series “Pachinko,” based on the bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee. She has also written for film, including the upcoming Netflix movie “The Tiger’s Apprentice,” based on the book series by Laurence Yep.
In addition to her writing, Yee is also an accomplished performer. She has appeared in productions of her own plays, including “The Great Leap” and “King of the Yees,” as well as in other productions in San Francisco and New York City.