Rajiv Joseph

Rajiv Joseph is an American playwright and screenwriter known for his thought-provoking and emotionally charged works. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1974, Joseph graduated from Miami University with a degree in creative writing before going on to receive his MFA in playwriting from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.

Joseph made his Broadway debut in 2011 with the play "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo," which starred Robin Williams in the lead role. The play, which explores the Iraq War through the eyes of a tiger in the Baghdad Zoo, received critical acclaim and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Joseph's other notable stage works include "Gruesome Playground Injuries," "Animals Out of Paper," and "Guards at the Taj," which won the 2016 Obie Award for Best New American Play.
In addition to his work in theater, Joseph has also written for television and film. He wrote the screenplay for the 2011 film "Draft Day," which starred Kevin Costner, and has written for the Showtime series "Nurse Jackie" and the Netflix series "Russian Doll." Joseph's most recent work for film is the upcoming drama "Nocturne," which he wrote and directed.
Joseph's impact on the theater world has been significant. His plays have been produced in theaters across the United States and around the world, and he has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize nomination for "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo," Joseph has received the Kesselring Prize for Drama, the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award, and the Whiting Award for Drama.
Joseph's most recent work for the stage is the play "King James," which premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in 2019. The play, which explores the legacy of basketball superstar LeBron James, received positive reviews and was praised for its blend of sports, politics, and personal identity.