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Lileana Blain-Cruz Headshot

Lileana Blain-Cruz

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BIO

LCT: Pipeline; the LCT3 productions of Marys Seacole (Obie Award), War (also Yale Rep); also Resident Director. Recent projects include Dreaming Zenzile (St. Louis Rep, McCarter, upcoming at NYTW/National Black Theatre); …(Iphigenia) (MASS MoCA, Arts Emerson, Kennedy Center); Hansel and Gretel (film for Houston Grand Opera); Anatomy of a Suicide (Atlantic); Fefu and Her Friends (TFANA); Girls (Yale Rep); Faust (Opera Omaha); The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World (Obie Award), Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine (Signature); Thunderbodies, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. (Soho Rep); The House That Will Not Stand, Red Speedo (NYTW); Henry IV, Part One, Much Ado About Nothing (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); The Bluest Eye (The Guthrie); Salome (JACK); and Hollow Roots (the Under the Radar Festival at The Public Theater). 2021 Doris Duke Artist, 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist, 2018 United States Artists Fellow. Upcoming: The Listeners (Opera Norway).

Photos

Productions

The Blood QuiltThe Blood Quilt
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Director
FlexFlex
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Director
White Girl in DangerWhite Girl in Danger
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Director
The Skin of Our TeethThe Skin of Our Teeth
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
Anatomy of a SuicideAnatomy of a Suicide
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
Fefu and Her FriendsFefu and Her Friends
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
Marys SeacoleMarys Seacole
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
Fabulation, or The Re-Education of UndineFabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
The House That Will Not StandThe House That Will Not Stand
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
ActuallyActually
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
ActuallyActually
 
[Williamstown, MA (Regional), 2017]
Director
PipelinePipeline
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
WARWAR
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Director
Joe Turner's Come and GoneJoe Turner's Come and Gone
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Assistant Director
Home
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Assistant Director
Assistant Director

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Lileana Blain-Cruz, Dreaming Zenzile

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Lileana Blain-Cruz, White Girl in Danger


winner
Drama League Awards - 2022 - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Skin Of Our Teeth

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Direction of a Play

Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Skin of Our Teeth


winner
Obie Awards - 2019 - Special Citations

Lileana Blain Cruz, Marys Seacole

The Lortels - 2018 - Outstanding Director

Lileana Blain-Cruz, Pipeline


winner
Obie Awards - 2017 - Directing

Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World

Videos

More Videos

News


Review: PURPLE RAIN at State Theatre Minneapolis Photo
Review: PURPLE RAIN at State Theatre Minneapolis
by Jared Fessler - Nov 6, 2025

When the lights went down inside the State Theatre and the opening chords of “Let’s Go Crazy” rang out, it was clear that Purple Rain had come home. The new stage musical, based on Prince’s 1984 film, is making its world premiere in Minneapolis before heading to Broadway—and it feels like the city has wrapped its arms around it.
Review Roundup: PURPLE RAIN Musical World Premiere in Minneapolis Photo
Review Roundup: PURPLE RAIN Musical World Premiere in Minneapolis
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025

Performances are now underway for the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN. The Broadway-aimed production is playing at Hennepin Arts’ historic State Theatre in Minneapolis. Read the reviews for Purple Rain here!
Photos: Kris Kollins and Rachel Webb in PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Photo
Photos: Kris Kollins and Rachel Webb in PURPLE RAIN World Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 5, 2025

You can now get a first look at photos of the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN. The cast features Kris Kollins, who is making his professional stage debut in the lead role of The Kid.
PURPLE RAIN Adds Extra Week of Pre-Broadway Performances in Minneapolis Photo
PURPLE RAIN Adds Extra Week of Pre-Broadway Performances in Minneapolis
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2025

Due to audience demand, producer Orin Wolf and Hennepin Arts are pleased to announce that the stage adaptation of the iconic film PURPLE RAIN will rock the historic State Theatre for one additional week.
Video: PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Releases 'I Would Die 4 U' Photo
Video: PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Releases 'I Would Die 4 U'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 19, 2025

The world premiere musical adaptation, PURPLE RAIN, will play at Hennepin Arts’ historic State Theatre in Minneapolis. Get a first look at the video for 'I Would Die 4 U'. Watch here!
PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Unveils Complete Cast Photo
PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Unveils Complete Cast
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 21, 2025

The complete cast has been revealed for the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets here!
Kris Kollins and Rachel Webb to Star in PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Photo
Kris Kollins and Rachel Webb to Star in PURPLE RAIN World Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 12, 2025

The cast members who will lead the pre-Broadway world premiere stage adaptation of PURPLE RAIN have been revealed. See who is starring and learn more about the world premiere production.
The Assembly Announces Fifth Cohort Of The Deceleration Lab Photo
The Assembly Announces Fifth Cohort Of The Deceleration Lab
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 9, 2025

The Assembly has announced the fifth cohort of its Deceleration Lab, supporting two new collaborative theatre projects: Black Reconstruction in America by Alle Mims and Dezi Tibbs, and 心esthesia by Tianding He, Xuanqi Liu, and Menghang Wu. Public showings to be announced.
New York Theatre Workshop Reveals 2025/26 2050 Fellows Photo
New York Theatre Workshop Reveals 2025/26 2050 Fellows
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 20, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop has revealed the individuals selected for the 2025/26 Season 2050 Administrative and Artistic Fellowships. Learn more about the artists here!
Photos: LIGHTS OUT: NAT "KING" COLE Opens At New York Theatre Workshop Photo
Photos: LIGHTS OUT: NAT "KING" COLE Opens At New York Theatre Workshop
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2025

New York Theatre Workshop is now presenting Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole, written by Tony and Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo and NYTW Artistic Director and Usual Suspect Patricia McGregor, and directed by McGregor. Check out photos from opening night.
Review: BUST at Goodman Theatre Photo
Review: BUST at Goodman Theatre
by Rachel Weinberg - Apr 29, 2025

Zora Howard’s BUST: AN AFROCURRENTIST PLAY opens with a mystery. In Huntsville, Alabama, Retta (Caroline Stefanie Clay) and Reggie (Ray Anthony Thomas) witness an all too familiar interaction between their friend Randy (Keith Randolph Smith) and two police officers — Tomlin (Mark Bedard) and Ramirez (Jorge Luna). But in the wake of Randy’s rage at the officers, something mysterious and surprising happens...keeping him safe from harm. It’s tough to write about the specifics of BUST because to reveal some of the play's secrets is to ruin the mystery for audiences. But Howard’s set-up essentially asks the question: What happens when Black rage is repackaged into a magical force and potentially one to keep the person experiencing it safe? 
Photos: BUST At Goodman Theatre Photo
Photos: BUST At Goodman Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2025

Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Zora Howard’s groundbreaking, laugh-out-loud new drama, BUST, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, opens tonight. Check out photos from the production. Check out photos and video from the production.
PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Tickets On Sale At Hennepin Arts In May Photo
PURPLE RAIN World Premiere Tickets On Sale At Hennepin Arts In May
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2025

Tickets for the pre-Broadway world premiere stage adaptation of Prince's legendary film and album, PURPLE RAIN, will go on sale on Friday, May 9 at 10 a.m..
New Opera THE LISTENERS to Come to Lyric Opera of Chicago Photo
New Opera THE LISTENERS to Come to Lyric Opera of Chicago
by Emmy Rice - Mar 29, 2025

Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s The Listeners will the Lyric Opera of Chicago stage beginning Sunday, March 30 for a limited run of five performances. 
Cast Set For BUST at the Goodman Theatre Photo
Cast Set For BUST at the Goodman Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Mar 19, 2025

The cast has been set for Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Zora Howard's new drama, BUST, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz. Learn more about the upcoming show here!
James Bundy to Step Down From Positions at David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repe Photo
James Bundy to Step Down From Positions at David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2025

James Bundy, who has served Yale since 2002 as the fifth Elizabeth Parker Ware Dean of David Geffen School of Drama and fourth Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre, will step down from these positions on June 30, 2026.
Review: World-Premiere: BUST, Makes Meaning Out of Madness at Alliance Theatre Photo
Review: World-Premiere: BUST, Makes Meaning Out of Madness at Alliance Theatre
by Jennifer Skura Boutell - Feb 26, 2025

BUST, the Alliance Theatre and Goodman Theatre world-premiere co-production written by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Zora Howard is 'a revelatory and genre-defying exploration of community, conflict, and the far-reaching impacts of historical racism.' Directed by Tony Award nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz, BUST premieres on The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre, February 13 – March 16, 2025, and in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre, April 19 – May 18, 2025.
KING JAMES Vermont Premiere to Open at Northern Stage Photo
KING JAMES Vermont Premiere to Open at Northern Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 16, 2024

​​​​​​​Northern Stage will kick off the new year with the Vermont premiere of King James by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Rajiv Joseph. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Mark Bedard, Cecil Blutcher & More to Star in BUST World Premiere Photo
Mark Bedard, Cecil Blutcher & More to Star in BUST World Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 12, 2024

Alliance Theatre and Goodman Theatre revealed the cast and creative team of their upcoming world-premiere co-production, BUST. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
Photos: Kelli O’Hara, Paulo Szot & More at SOUTH PACIFIC LCT Reunion Photo
Photos: Kelli O’Hara, Paulo Szot & More at SOUTH PACIFIC LCT Reunion
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 10, 2024

On Monday, December 9, almost the entire original company of Lincoln Center Theater’s 2008 Tony Award-winning production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC reunited on the Beaumont stage for the first time 16 years later. See photos
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Lileana Blain-Cruz been nominated for?

Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for Dreaming Zenzile, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for White Girl in Danger, Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards) for The Skin Of Our Teeth, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Skin of Our Teeth, Special Citations (Obie Awards) for Marys Seacole, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Pipeline and Directing (Obie Awards) for The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World.

What awards has Lileana Blain-Cruz won?

Lileana Blain-Cruz has received the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League Awards for The Skin Of Our Teeth. She has also earned Special Citations from the Obie Awards for Marys Seacole and won the Obie Award for Directing for The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World.

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