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Sarah Ruhl

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BIO

Sarah Ruhl is an American playwright, essayist, and poet known for her unique and poetic style of writing. She was born on January 24, 1974, in Wilmette, Illinois, and grew up in a family of artists and writers. Ruhl attended Brown University, where she studied under Paula Vogel and earned her MFA in playwriting.


Ruhl's plays often explore themes of love, loss, and the human experience. Her first play, "The Dog Play," was produced in 2001 at the Brown/Trinity Playwrights Repertory Theatre. Her breakthrough play, "The Clean House," premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 2004 and went on to receive the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and a Pulitzer Prize nomination.
Ruhl's other notable plays include "Eurydice," a retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, which premiered at the Madison Repertory Theatre in 2003; "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)," a comedy about the invention of the vibrator, which premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2009 and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; and "Stage Kiss," a romantic comedy about two ex-lovers who are cast in a play together, which premiered at the Goodman Theatre in 2011.
In addition to her work in the theatre, Ruhl has also written essays and poetry. Her essay collection, "100 Essays I Don't Have Time to Write," was published in 2014 and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism. Her poetry collection, "44 Poems for You," was published in 2021.
Ruhl has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including a MacArthur Fellowship, a PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award, and a Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award. She has also been a finalist for the Tony Award for Best Play.
Ruhl's most recent work includes "Becky Nurse of Salem," a play about one of the women accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials, which premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2019. She is currently working on a new play, "Letters from Max," which is based on her correspondence with the poet Max Ritvo, who died of cancer in 2016.

Photos

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Playwright
 
[West End, ]
Book

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright

Awards and Nominations

The Pulitzer Prize - 2010 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Sarah Ruhl, In the Next Room or the vibrator play

The Pulitzer Prize - 2010 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Sarah Ruhl, In The Next Room or the vibrator play

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Play

Sarah Ruhl, In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)

Helen Hayes Awards - 2006 - The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical

Sarah RuhlPassion Play, A Cycle

The Pulitzer Prize - 2005 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Sarah Ruhl., The Clean House

The Pulitzer Prize - 2005 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Sarah Ruhl., The Clean House

Videos

News


Student Blog: My Experience with Loyola University Chicago's Theatre Program

Before coming to Loyola University Chicago, I knew essentially nothing about the school’s theatre program. So, I present to you a glimpse into the world of theatre at Loyola University Chicago and things I wish I knew when applying!
Previews: THE REUNION al TEATRO ARCIMBOLDI e al TEATRO ROSSETTI

Un’unica notte magica nella quale un cast d’eccezione, accompagnato dalla FVG Orchestra diretta da Beatrice Venezi, interpreterà oltre trenta indimenticabili melodie tra cui la celebre “Let it Go” - dal musical Disney “Frozen”, e poi “Wicked”, “Mary Poppins”, “Mamma Mia!”, “Shrek”, “La famiglia Addams”, “Jekyll & Hyde”, “Funny Girl”, “Pretty Woman” e “The Greatest Showman”.
Maryann Plunkett to Reprise Role in Clubbed Thumb's DEEP BLUE SOUND

Clubbed Thumb will present a return engagement of Deep Blue Sound, written by Abe Koogler and directed by Arin Arbus. Learn more about the engagement starring Maryann Plunkett and see how to purchase tickets.
LITTLE WOMEN Announced At EastLine Theatre

EastLine Theatre will close their 2024 season at the BACCA Arts Center in Lindenhurst with the family classic Little Women in an adaptation by Kate Hamill, one of America's most-produced playwrights.
Shattered Globe Theatre Welcomes Playwright Sarah Ruhl for BECKY, NURSE OF SALEM Discussion

Join playwright Sarah Ruhl for a discussion on BECKY NURSE OF SALEM at Shattered Globe Theatre on Nov. 1 at 7:15 pm, ahead of the 8 pm show.
Playwrights Horizons Renames Mainstage 'The Judith O. Rubin Theater' After Longtime Board Chair

Playwrights Horizons  has renamed its Mainstage Theater the Judith O. Rubin Theater,.
Review: STAGE KISS at Harrison Players

The real-life director of Stage Kiss, Anthony Valbiro, has brought his reliably effective stagecraft instincts to this polished production
Photos: Remy Bumppo Theatre Company's DEAR ELIZABETH

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company’s Dear Elizabeth, the first production of its 2024 - 2025 season, written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Remy Bumppo Creative Producer Christina Casano, is now playing through November 17, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. See photos from the production.
Save Up to 65% on A FACE IN THE CROWD at the Young Vic

Save up to 65% on tickets to A Face In The Crowd at the Young Vic. Tickets are available from £15!
Tony-Nominee Justin Vivian Bond Named 2024 MacArthur Fellow

Tony-nominee, cabaret icon, and multi-hyphenate artist Mx Justin Vivian Bond has been selected as part of the 2024 class of MacArthur Fellows.
Sarah Ruhl's STAGE KISS to be Presented at The Harrison Players in October

The Harrison Players will present a performance of Sarah Ruhl's Stage Kiss, a play blending romance and humor, at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Harrison, NY. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
KING LEAR, DRACULA & More Set for Nutley Little Theatre 90th Season

Nutley Little Theatre announced its 90th season, marking nearly a century of theatrical productions. The celebration highlights the theatre's long-standing commitment to the arts and its community.
Drama Book Shop to Present A Discussion With Jacqueline Goldfinger And Adam Szymkowicz

Join Jacqueline Goldfinger and Adam Szymkowicz at Drama Book Shop for a discussion on playwriting, featuring a talkback, book signing, and live podcast recording. Celebrate three books on playwriting.
THE PLAY'S THE THING BY by James Magruder Published by Yale University Press

The stories of American film, television, Broadway, and regional theater are entwined with the story of Yale Repertory Theatre in The Play's the Thing out now.
Review Roundup: A FACE IN THE CROWD at the Young Vic

See what the critics are saying about A Face in the Crowd by Elvis Costello and Sarah Ruhl’s at The Young Vic. Read the reviews for the production starring Ramin Karimloo, and learn more.
New Play AFFECTING EXPRESSION Will Premiere In New York With A Full Production At The Tank

The Tank will present the new tragicomedy AFFECTING EXPRESSION, exploring the lives of three 19th-century queer female artists, from October 7th to October 13th. Written by Eliana Cohen-Orth and directed by Eliyana Abraham.
EastLine Theatre to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month At Westbury Arts With MACHINAL

EastLine Theatre will present their third annual Hispanic Heritage Month production at Westbury Arts with the rarely-produced play MACHINAL by Mexican-American playwright Sophie Treadwell, first seen on Broadway in 1928. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
BroadwayWorld Classifieds 9/19/2024; Jobs In Marketing, Company Management, and More

This Week's New Classified Listings on BroadwayWorld for 9/19/2024 include new jobs for those looking to work in the theatre industry.
Signature Theatre Names Emily Shooltz as the Organization's New Artistic Director

Signature Theatre has announced Emily Shooltz as the organization’s new Artistic Director. Shooltz will step into the role November 1, following a nationwide search for a dynamic candidate with the experience and daring to carry Signature’s mission and unique producing model into the future.
Meet the Cast of YELLOW FACE, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Next up from Roundabout Theatre Company is the new production of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang directed by Leigh Silverman. Previews will begin tonight, September 13, at the Todd Haimes Theatre, ahead of opening night on October 1. Meet the cast of Yellow Face here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Sarah Ruhl written?

Sarah Ruhl has written 11 shows including The Clean House (Playwright), eurydice (Playwright), Dead Man's Cell Phone (Playwright), In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) (Playwright), Orlando (Playwright), Stage Kiss (Playwright), The Oldest Boy (Author), Dear Elizabeth (Author), How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (Playwright), For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday (Author), Becky Nurse of Salem (Playwright).

What awards has Sarah Ruhl been nominated for?

The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for In the Next Room or the vibrator play, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for In The Next Room or the vibrator play, Best Play (Tony Awards) for In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Passion Play, A Cycle, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for The Clean House and The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for The Clean House.

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Videos