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Liesl Tommy

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BIO

Liesl Tommy is an award-winning stage director returning to the Huntington having previously directed Top Girls (2018), A Raisin in the Sun (2013), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2012), and Ruined (2011). Her credits include productions of Danai Gurira’s Eclipsed (Broadway and The Public Theater) starring Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o (Tony Award nomination for Best Director), Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s Appropriate (Signature Theatre), Tracey Scott Wilson’s The Good Negro, UNIVERSES’ Party People, and A. Zell Williams’s Urban Retreat (The Public Theater), Les Misérables (Dallas Theater Center), Hamlet (California Shakespeare Theater), The Piano Lesson (Yale Repertory Theatre), and John Kander/Greg Pierce’s musical Kid Victory. Ms. Tommy is the recipient of an Obie Award, Lucille Lortel Award, Pioneer of the Arts Award, Lillian Hellman Award, Lee Reynolds Award, Alan Schneider Award, NEA/TCG Directors Grant, New York Theatre Workshop Casting/Directing Fellowship, and the inaugural Susan Stroman Award from the Vineyard Theatre. Ms. Tommy facilitated the inaugural Sundance East Africa Theatre Director’s Lab and is a member of the board of the Sundance Institute. Ms. Tommy serves as a program associate at Sundance Institute Theatre Program.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Washington, DC (Regional)]
Shakespeare Theatre Company Production, 2018
Vagonava


Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
 
[Williamstown, MA (Regional), 2017]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2009]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director

Awards and Nominations


winner
The Lortels - 2016 - Outstanding Director

Liesl Tommy, Eclipsed

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Direction of a Play

Liesl Tommy, Eclipsed


winner
Obie Awards - 2014 - Direction

Liesl Tommy, Appropriate

Videos

News


National Theatre Welcomes New Artistic Associates Miranda Cromwell, Dr Sophie Duncan, Clint Dyer, and Lynn Nottage
by Stephi Wild - Apr 24, 2025

The National Theatre has announced that Director and Choreographer Miranda Cromwell; author, academic, and dramaturg Dr Sophie Duncan; and Pulitzer-winning playwright Lynn Nottage have been appointed as Artistic Associates.
Ben Jackson Walker Returns to & JULIET For UK Tour
by Emmy Rice - Apr 19, 2025

It was announced today that a new Romeo will be joining the & Juliet UK touring Company! Ben Jackson Walker, who played the original Romeo on Broadway, will be joining the cast.
La Mama Umbria Will Host 26th Year Of International Symposium For Directors
by Stephi Wild - Mar 31, 2025

This Summer, as La MaMa Umbria celebrates the 26th year of its flagship program, directors and playwrights will have an opportunity to learn from some of the most renowned theatre-makers in the world.
Meet the Talented Cast of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB as It Lights Up Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Feb 21, 2025

Discover the vibrant cast of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB as they bring Cuba's golden age to Broadway. Performances start tonight at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Learn more!
The 24 Hour Plays Nationals Open 2025 Applications and Reveal LA Expansion
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2025

The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals return this summer for their 14th year. An annual professional development initiative for early-career theater artists, the 2025 program will take place this July.
Vineyard Theatre Reveals Winners of the Emerging Artists Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 20, 2024

Vineyard Theatre has revealed the recipients of the 2024-2025 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award and Colman Domingo Award. Learn more about the award and the recipients!
PASSING STRANGE Revival to Complete A.R.T. 2024/25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 1, 2024

A.R.T. will produce Passing Strange to conclude its 2024/25 Season. Tony Award-nominated director Liesl Tommy will direct the A.R.T. production. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: & JULIET's Philippe Arroyo & Ben Jackson Walker Show Off Their Broadway Crib
by Joey Mervis - Sep 20, 2024

In this video, watch as Ben Jackson Walker and Philippe Arroyo welcome us to their Broadway crib with a champagne toast and an inside look at their lucky Nicholas Cage pillow, bedazzled guitar, character bobbleheads, and of course, cherished gifts from fans.
Shaina Taub Will Host Broadway for Harris Community Launch
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 26, 2024

Shaina Taub, creator and star of Broadway’s Tony-winning Suffs, will host the Broadway for Harris Community Launch Call tonight, Monday, August 26 from 6:00-7:00pm ET. The call will take place over Zoom and is open to the public.
70+ Broadway Stars Unite in Support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 20, 2024

New York’s theater community is organizing to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 presidential election. Broadway for Harris is a volunteer coalition of industry professionals and theater enthusiasts united to elect Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and down ballot Democratic candidates this November.
THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: NATIONALS 2024 Cohort Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2024

THE 24 HOUR PLAYS has announced this year's cohort for The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals, which will return this summer for their 13th year. A weeklong professional development initiative for early-career theater artists, The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals 2024 will take place July 15-22, 2024 at the Pace University Lower Manhattan campus. 
Interview: 'The Play Really Explores the Idea of Identity': Actor Giles Terera on Energy, Bravery and Music in PASSING STRANGE
by Kat Mokrynski - May 22, 2024

Passing Strange, the Tony Award-winning rock musical by Stew, is making its European premiere at the Young Vic. The show tells the story of a young man in the 1980s who travels the world to find himself, going from his home of Los Angeles in the United States to the punk rock realms of Amsterdam and Berlin.
Photos: Inside Rehearsal For PASSING STRANGE at the Young Vic Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 19, 2024

The Young Vic Theatre has released all new rehearsal photos from the European premiere of the Broadway hit musical Passing Strange. Check out the photos here!
Video: & JULIET'S 'Romeo' Ben Walker Sings 'We Can't Be Friends'
by Lauren Hilton - Apr 11, 2024

Ben Walker, who currently stars as 'Romeo' in @AndJulietBway posted a stripped-down version of Ariana Grande's latest hit 'We Can't Be Friends' to his Instagram page. Watch in this video!
Photos: Go Inside NYTW's 2024 Gala Honoring Liesl Tommy
by Jennifer Broski - Mar 19, 2024

New York Theatre Workshop hosted its 2024 Gala, honoring theater and film visionary Liesl Tommy. The evening’s program was hosted by Nicole Ari Parker, directed by Kevin Cahoon, and feature musical direction by Rick Hip-Flores.
Cast Set For the European Premiere of PASSING STRANGE at the Young Vic
by Stephi Wild - Mar 14, 2024

The Young Vic Theatre has announced casting for the European premiere of the electrifying Tony, Drama Desk and Critics Circle Award-winning rock musical Passing Strange.
Tickets Exclusively On Sale For Young Vic Theatre's New Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2024

Tickets are exclusively on sale for the Young Vic Theatre's new season! Learn more about the season lineup and find out how to get tickets here!
Liesl Tommy to be Honored at NYTW 2024 Gala; Shoshanna Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon & More to Appear
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 20, 2024

New York Theatre Workshop's 2024 Gala will honor theater and film visionary Liesl Tommy. Learn more about the gala and about Tommy!
Applications Now Open for the 13th Annual 24 HOUR PLAYS: NATIONALS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 14, 2024

The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals, will return this summer for their 13th year. Learn how to apply!
Kwame Kwei-Armah Will Step Down From the Young Vic; Final Season Lineup Revealed!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 8, 2024

Kwame Kwei-Armah has announced his final season at the Young Vic Theatre. His final production as Young Vic Artistic Director will be the world premiere of A Face in the Crowd, a new production based on the classic ‘50s Hollywood film, with music and lyrics by Elvis Costello and book by Sarah Ruhl. Learn more here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Liesl Tommy been nominated for?

Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Eclipsed, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Eclipsed and Direction (Obie Awards) for Appropriate.

What awards has Liesl Tommy won?

Liesl Tommy has won the Outstanding Director award at The Lortel Awards for Eclipsed and received the Direction award at the Obie Awards for Appropriate.

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Videos