Rajiv Joseph

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Rajiv Joseph BIO

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.

Rajiv Joseph Photos

Rajiv Joseph Awards and Nominations

Obie Awards - 2018 - Best New American Play

Rajiv Joseph, Describe the Night

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Play

Rajiv Joseph, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo

The Pulitzer Prize - 2010 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Rajiv Joseph, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo

The Pulitzer Prize - 2010 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Rajiv Joseph, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo

Rajiv Joseph Videos

Rajiv Joseph News


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Baritone Justin Austin to Perform In Marian Anderson Vocal Award Recital At The Kennedy Center

Baritone Justin Austin performs in Marian Anderson Vocal Award Recital at the Kennedy Center. Don't miss this impressive performance by the winner of this year's Marian Anderson Vocal Award.

Broadway Licensing Global Acquires THE COTTAGE, KING JAMES, and LUCY

Broadway Licensing Global has acquired a series of three new titles, including 'The Cottage', the hit Broadway comedy by renowned playwright, Sandy Rustin. Learn more about the acquisitions here!

Review: ARCHDUKE Reigns at Capital Stage

Tuberculosis and assassination may seem like an odd combination, but they pair surprisingly well in Rajiv Joseph’s Archduke, a historical re-imagining of the pivotal event that helped to ignite World War I.

Coalition Of Immigrant Artists Launches Initiative To Combat Xenophobia In The Theater Industry

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Cast Set for BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company

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TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Reports Response to 'Save TheatreWorks Now' Effort

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Feature: BEFORE THE INK DRIES at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Presented a Delightfully Candid Conversation with David Henry Hwang & Rajiv Joseph

BroadwayWorld reports on 'Before the Ink Dries,' a delightful evening with playwrights David Henry Hwang & Rajiv Joseph that kicked off TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's 20th Anniversary New Works Festival.

Rajiv Joseph FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Rajiv Joseph has written 10 shows including All This Intimacy (Playwright), Animals Out of Paper (Playwright), Gruesome Playground Injuries (Playwright), Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Playwright), The North Pool (Playwright), Guards at the Taj (Author), In Your Arms (Story), Describe the Night (Playwright), Fly (Bookwriter & Lyricist), King James (Playwright).

Rajiv Joseph has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for the Best New American Play at the Obie Awards for "Describe the Night". Additionally, he received a nomination for Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo". Joseph has also been nominated for the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice for "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo".

Rajiv Joseph has won the Obie Award for Best New American Play for his work "Describe the Night".

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