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As actors, it’s easy to get caught up in auditions, roles, and the day-to-day work of performing, often without stepping back to consider the larger forces shaping the stories we’re asked to tell. Playwright Lynn Nottage operates on that larger scale.
Lynn Nottage
Lynn Nottage is a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and a screenwriter. Her plays have been produced widely in the United States and throughout the world.
Date of Birth: November 02, 1964 (61)
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BIO
Lynn Nottage is a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and a screenwriter. Her plays have been produced widely in the United States and throughout the world.
Plays include Sweat (Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Obie Award, Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, Evening Standard Award; Tony, Drama Desk award nominations); Ruined (Pulitzer Prize for Drama, New York Drama Critics Circle, DD, Outer Critics Circle, Lortel, Obie, and Audelco awards for Best Play); Floyd’s (Guthrie); Mlima’s Tale (The Public); By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Lilly Award, DD nom); Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine (Obie Award; DD, Lortel award noms); Crumbs from the Table of Joy; Las Meninas; Mud, River, Stone; Por’knockers; and POOF!; as well as the book for the musical adaption of The Secret Life of Bees (Atlantic).
TV: She’s Gotta Have It (writer/producer). PEN/Laura Pels Master Dramatist Award, Doris Duke Artist Award, American Academy of Arts and Letters Award, MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship, a Guggenheim Grant, Lucille Lortel Fellowship, Visiting Research Fellowship at Princeton. Associate professor at Columbia. Member of the Dramatists Guild.
Photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Lynn Nottage and Michael Douglas attend the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Hosts The 22nd Monte Cristo Award Honoring Lynn Nottage at Capitale on November 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Eugene O'Neill Theater)
Date:
11/07/2023
From: Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Honors Lynn Nottage at the 22nd Monte Cristo Awards
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Max Chambers, Bre Jackson and Ilario Grant attend the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Hosts The 22nd Monte Cristo Award Honoring Lynn Nottage at Capitale on November 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Eugene O'Neill Theater)
Date:
11/07/2023
From: Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Honors Lynn Nottage at the 22nd Monte Cristo Awards
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Guest, Stacey Sargent, Lynn Nottage, Tonya Pinkins and Lisa Arrindell attend the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Hosts The 22nd Monte Cristo Award Honoring Lynn Nottage at Capitale on November 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Eugene O'Neill Theater )
Date:
11/07/2023
From: Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Honors Lynn Nottage at the 22nd Monte Cristo Awards
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Lynn Nottage and Michael Douglas attend the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Hosts The 22nd Monte Cristo Award Honoring Lynn Nottage at Capitale on November 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Eugene O'Neill Theater)
Date:
11/07/2023
From: Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Honors Lynn Nottage at the 22nd Monte Cristo Awards
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: Nezzy De Jesus and Terence Archie attends the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Hosts The 22nd Monte Cristo Award Honoring Lynn Nottage at Capitale on November 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Eugene O'Neill Theater)
Date:
11/07/2023
From: Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Honors Lynn Nottage at the 22nd Monte Cristo Awards
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Lisa Arrindell, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Stacey Sargent, Tonya Pinkins and Kenita Miller attend the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Hosts The 22nd Monte Cristo Award Honoring Lynn Nottage at Capitale on November 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Eugene O'Neill Theater)
Date:
11/07/2023
From: Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center Honors Lynn Nottage at the 22nd Monte Cristo Awards
Productions
Writing
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Writer
Lyricist
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Story
Playwright
Bookwriter
Libretto
Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Book of a Musical
Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Book of a Musical
Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel
Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Book of a Musical
Lynn Nottage, MJ the Musical
Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Book of a Musical
Lynn Nottage, The Secret Life of Bees
winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Book of a Musical
Lynn Nottage, The Secret Life of Bees
Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Play
Lynn Nottage, Sweat
winner
Obie Awards - 2017 - Playwrighting
Lynn Nottage, Sweat
winner
The Lortels - 2017 - Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee
Lynn Nottage, Lynn Nottage
winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2017 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Lynn Nottage, Sweat
Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Play
Lynn Nottage, Sweat
Evening Standard Awards - 2014 - Best Play
Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel
Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Play
Lynn Nottage, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Play
Lynn Nottage, Ruined
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Best Play
Lynn Nottage, Ruined
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Best Play
Lynn Nottage, Ruined
winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2009 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Lynn Nottage, Ruined
winner
Obie Awards - 2005 - Playwriting
Lynn Nottage, Fabulation
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Best Play
Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel
winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - John Gassner Playwriting Award
Lynn Nottage, Intimate Apparel
Videos
Video: Kara Young Stars in First Trailer for IS GOD IS Film Adaptation
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-20 10:28:09
Video: Matte Martinez Steps Into MJ's Shoes; Watch 'Smooth Criminal'
by Joey Mervis - 2025-09-18 12:43:45
News
WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY to Open at Salt Lake Acting Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 23, 2026
Salt Lake Acting Company will present a free reading of seven plays from the WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY anthology, featuring works by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 23, 2026
Salt Lake Acting Company will present a free reading of seven plays from the WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY anthology, featuring works by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl.
WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY to be Presented at Shakespeare & Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2026
Shakespeare & Company will present nine 10-minute plays from the WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY anthology, featuring works by playwrights including Lynn Nottage, Sarah Ruhl, and others exploring American democracy.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2026
Shakespeare & Company will present nine 10-minute plays from the WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY anthology, featuring works by playwrights including Lynn Nottage, Sarah Ruhl, and others exploring American democracy.
From Theaters to Living Rooms: Women+ Playwrights Take on Democracy Ahead of Election Day
by Cara Joy David - Oct 22, 2026
Tomorrow, theaters, community groups, and other organizations across the country will begin presenting short plays about democracy by women+ playwrights.
by Cara Joy David - Oct 22, 2026
Tomorrow, theaters, community groups, and other organizations across the country will begin presenting short plays about democracy by women+ playwrights.
SWEAT to Open at Slippery Rock University During Homecoming
by Stephi Wild - Oct 22, 2026
Slippery Rock University will present Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning play SWEAT, directed by SRU alumnus Malic Maat. The production explores the lives of factory workers in Reading, Pennsylvania.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 22, 2026
Slippery Rock University will present Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning play SWEAT, directed by SRU alumnus Malic Maat. The production explores the lives of factory workers in Reading, Pennsylvania.
WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY Staged Reading to Launch in Southern California
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 20, 2026
BEGINS AND ENDS WITH A will present a one-night staged reading of plays from the WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY initiative, featuring works by 12 acclaimed women+ playwrights exploring American democracy.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 20, 2026
BEGINS AND ENDS WITH A will present a one-night staged reading of plays from the WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY initiative, featuring works by 12 acclaimed women+ playwrights exploring American democracy.
Arts at the Edge Launches With WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY
by Rachel Stone - Oct 19, 2026
Arts at the Edge will present select works from a collection of ten-minute plays by 36 women+ playwrights commissioned to explore the state of American democracy, with a free public reading at Manhattan University.
by Rachel Stone - Oct 19, 2026
Arts at the Edge will present select works from a collection of ten-minute plays by 36 women+ playwrights commissioned to explore the state of American democracy, with a free public reading at Manhattan University.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 16, 2026- MEMOIRS OF AMOROUS GENTLEMEN Opens Off-Broadway and More
by - Oct 16, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 16, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Oct 16, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 16, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY to Make Free Debut at Vivid Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2026
Vivid Stage will present ten commissioned short plays by acclaimed women+ playwrights responding to questions about democracy in America, featuring an 18-actor cast directed by Laura Ekstrand.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2026
Vivid Stage will present ten commissioned short plays by acclaimed women+ playwrights responding to questions about democracy in America, featuring an 18-actor cast directed by Laura Ekstrand.
Complete Cast Set for Adrienne Warren-Led IMITATION OF LIFE World Premiere Off-Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2026
The full cast has been revealed for Lynn Nottage and John Legend's new musical IMITATION OF LIFE, starring Adrienne Warren, Jessica Vosk, Michael Luwoye, and Charlie Thurston at The Griffin Theater at The Shed.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2026
The full cast has been revealed for Lynn Nottage and John Legend's new musical IMITATION OF LIFE, starring Adrienne Warren, Jessica Vosk, Michael Luwoye, and Charlie Thurston at The Griffin Theater at The Shed.
Lineup Set For WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY World Premiere at the Flynn
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2026
The Flynn Center will present an all-day world premiere of over 30 commissioned plays and monologues exploring democracy in America, featuring acclaimed actors and directors.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2026
The Flynn Center will present an all-day world premiere of over 30 commissioned plays and monologues exploring democracy in America, featuring acclaimed actors and directors.
Hermitage Artist Retreat to Present Fall Programs With Pulitzer Finalist Monahon, Composer Gordon
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2026
The Hermitage Artist Retreat has announced three fall programs featuring playwright Talene Monahon, folk musician Tommy Lubben, opera composer Ricky Ian Gordon, and multi-instrumentalist Jen Shyu at venues across Sarasota County.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2026
The Hermitage Artist Retreat has announced three fall programs featuring playwright Talene Monahon, folk musician Tommy Lubben, opera composer Ricky Ian Gordon, and multi-instrumentalist Jen Shyu at venues across Sarasota County.
People's Light to Welcome Three New Company Artists
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 12, 2026
People's Light has added three new members to its Company of Artists, a resident ensemble model. Madeleine Garcia was named the 2026–27 Graham Smith Company Fellow.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 12, 2026
People's Light has added three new members to its Company of Artists, a resident ensemble model. Madeleine Garcia was named the 2026–27 Graham Smith Company Fellow.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 8, 2026- Rosie O'Donnell Joins THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and More
by - Oct 8, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 8, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Oct 8, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 8, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Lynn Nottage Joins the Pulitzer Board
by Stephi Wild - Oct 7, 2026
2009 and 2017 Drama winner Lynn Nottage has joined the Pulitzer Board, the Administrator's Office announced. Learn more about Lynn Nottage and the board here.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 7, 2026
2009 and 2017 Drama winner Lynn Nottage has joined the Pulitzer Board, the Administrator's Office announced. Learn more about Lynn Nottage and the board here.
WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY to Present Staged Readings in Brea
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 6, 2026
Begins and Ends with A will present select works from an anthology of 36 women+ playwrights commissioned to explore the state of American democracy through staged readings at the Curtis Theatre in Brea, California.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 6, 2026
Begins and Ends with A will present select works from an anthology of 36 women+ playwrights commissioned to explore the state of American democracy through staged readings at the Curtis Theatre in Brea, California.
MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL to Open in Taipei in April 2027
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 5, 2026
MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL will open in Taipei for a limited season in 2027. MJ in Taipei will give audiences in Taiwan the opportunity to experience this musical as part of its International Asian Tour.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 5, 2026
MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL will open in Taipei for a limited season in 2027. MJ in Taipei will give audiences in Taiwan the opportunity to experience this musical as part of its International Asian Tour.
MJ THE MICHAEL JACKSON MUSICAL to Open in Taipei
by Stephi Wild - Oct 5, 2026
The four-time Tony Award-winning musical will open at Taipei Music Center for a limited season. The production has been seen by over 8 million people worldwide across Broadway, London's West End, and international tours.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 5, 2026
The four-time Tony Award-winning musical will open at Taipei Music Center for a limited season. The production has been seen by over 8 million people worldwide across Broadway, London's West End, and international tours.
WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY to be Presented by Late Fee Collective in Detroit
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 4, 2026
Late Fee Collective will present select plays from Women+ On The Edge of Democracy, an initiative encouraging conversation about American democracy initiated by the Flynn Center in Vermont and The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 4, 2026
Late Fee Collective will present select plays from Women+ On The Edge of Democracy, an initiative encouraging conversation about American democracy initiated by the Flynn Center in Vermont and The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.
Renaissance Theaterworks to Present WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2026
Renaissance Theaterworks will present selected works from WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY, a national theater initiative featuring 36 women+ playwrights examining the state of American democracy. The free public reading takes place in Milwaukee.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2026
Renaissance Theaterworks will present selected works from WOMEN+ ON THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY, a national theater initiative featuring 36 women+ playwrights examining the state of American democracy. The free public reading takes place in Milwaukee.
PIPELINE to Open Vanguard Theater's 2026–27 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2026
Vanguard Theater will present Dominique Morisseau's PIPELINE, a drama about a mother navigating her son's education and confronting systemic racism. Directed by Marshall Jones III, the production runs at the Montclair, New Jersey venue.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2026
Vanguard Theater will present Dominique Morisseau's PIPELINE, a drama about a mother navigating her son's education and confronting systemic racism. Directed by Marshall Jones III, the production runs at the Montclair, New Jersey venue.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Lynn Nottage written?
Lynn Nottage has written 13 shows including MJ (Bookwriter), Crumbs from the Table of Joy (Playwright), Por'Knockers (Playwright), Mud, River, Stone (Playwright), Intimate Apparel (Playwright), Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine (Playwright), The Antigone Project (Playwright), Ruined (Lyricist), By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Playwright), In Your Arms (Story), Sweat (Playwright), Intimate Apparel (Libretto), Imitation of Life (Writer).
What awards has Lynn Nottage been nominated for?
Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Intimate Apparel, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Intimate Apparel, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for MJ the Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Secret Life of Bees, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweat, Playwrighting (Obie Awards) for Sweat, Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels) for Lynn Nottage, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Sweat, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Sweat, Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for Intimate Apparel, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for By the Way, Meet Vera Stark , Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Ruined, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ruined, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Ruined, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Ruined, Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Fabulation, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Intimate Apparel and John Gassner Playwriting Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Intimate Apparel .
What awards has Lynn Nottage won?
Lynn Nottage has received several prestigious awards throughout her career. They include the Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Secret Life of Bees, as well as the Playwrighting award at the Obie Awards for Sweat. She was inducted into the Playwrights' Sidewalk at The Lortels. Nottage also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Sweat and Ruined. Her play Ruined garnered the Outstanding Play award at the Drama Desk Awards and the Best Play award at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, multiple times. Additionally, she received the Playwriting award at the Obie Awards for Fabulation and the Best Play award at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Intimate Apparel. Lastly, she was honored with the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Intimate Apparel.
Podcasts
Audition Stories 2025 with Lynn Nottage, Aubie Merrylees, Elizabeth Hess, Simon Tam, and More!
It’s been several seasons since the last time Audition Stories took center stage, but they’re finally back — and this time with a brand-new collection of unforgettable moments from the audition room.
Lynn Nottage Writes Through Some of Life’s Hardest Moments
As a playwright, Lynn Nottage has crafted fascinating stories and emotionally rich characters. She is a true artist with the credentials to back in up. She has won two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama as well as numerous Off-Broadway awards, not to mention three Tony Award nominations.
Destination Freedom Black Radio Days Year in Review 2023. Interviews with David Byrne, Lynn Nottage, and others, plus audio dramas. Enjoy.
S5 E6: “That insatiable desire to be seen and be heard.” The Future of our Canon
This season's final episode features a conversation with two of the most produced playwrights in America: Lauren Gunderson and Lynn Nottage. The two women writers speak with host (and fellow woman writer) Christine Toy Johnson about how they were motivated to start telling stories in order to create roles that were missing from the narrative.
Our guest is Lynn Nottage. Ms. Nottage has received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice: in 2009 for her play Ruined, and in 2017 for her play Sweat. She is the first and the only woman to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama two times.
Ep190 - Lynn Nottage: Two-time Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright
Lynn Nottage is a two time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, and the first and only woman to win the category twice, for “Ruined” and “Sweat”. She's a screenwriter, a Tony nominee, a producer, the recipient of a MacArthur Genius Grant fellowship and was included in Time magazine's 2019 list of the 100 Most Influential People.
Lynn Nottage Wants to Replace Judgment With Curiosity
The "MJ" and "Intimate Apparel" writer talks operas vs. musicals, artistic legacy vs. personal legacy, and why she's not reading reviews right now.
The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner of "Ruined" and "Sweat" reveals the secret origins of her new play "Mlima's Tale" -- including its surprising link to Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow.
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