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James Ijames

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James Ijames BIO

JAMES IJAMES is a Pulitzer Prize winning and Tony Award nominated playwright, a director and educator.

James’ plays have been produced by Flashpoint Theater Company, Orbiter 3, Theatre Horizon, Wilma Theatre, Theatre Exile, Azuka Theatre (Philadelphia, PA), The National Black Theatre, JACK, The Public Theater (NYC), Hudson Valley Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Definition Theatre, Timeline Theater (Chicago IL) Shotgun Players (Berkeley, CA) and have received development with PlayPenn New Play Conference, The Lark, Playwright's Horizon, Clubbed Thumb, Villanova Theater, Wilma Theater, Azuka Theatre and Victory Garden.

James is the 2011 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Artist recipient, and two Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play for The Brothers Size with Simpatico Theatre Company and Gem of the Ocean with Arden Theatre. James is a 2015 Pew Fellow for Playwriting, the 2015 winner of the Terrance McNally New Play Award for WHITE, the 2015 Kesselring Honorable Mention Prize winner for ....Miz Martha, a 2017 recipient of the Whiting Award, a 2019 Kesselring Prize for Kill Move Paradise, a 2020 and 2022 Steinberg Prize, the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Drama recipient and a 2023 Tony nominee for Best Play for Fat Ham

James was a founding member of Orbiter 3, Philadelphia’s first playwright producing collective.

He received a B.A. in Drama from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and a M.F.A. in Acting from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. James an Associate Professor of Theatre at Villanova University. He resides in South Philadelphia.


James Ijames Photos

James Ijames Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Play

James Ijames, Fat Ham


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - John Gassner Award for New American Play

James Ijames, Fat Ham


winner
Obie Awards - 2022 - Special Citation

James Ijames, Fat Ham


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 2022 - Pulitzer Prize for Drama

James Ijames, Fat Ham


winner
The Barrymore Awards - 2012 - Outstanding supporting actor in a play

James IjamesAngels in America part one: Millennium Approaches

James Ijames Videos

James Ijames News


VIDEO: First Look at Alliance Theatre's Atlanta Debut of FAT HAM


Get a first look at The Alliance Theatre's Atlanta debut of FAT HAM. Written by James Ijames and directed by Tony Award-nominated Stevie Walker-Webb, with Associate Direction by Dawn M. Simmons, the 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winner for drama is presented in association with The Huntington Theatre Company and Front Porch Arts Collective, and runs on the Hertz Stage from Wednesday, April 3 through Sunday, May 12, 2024. Opening night is Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Review: FAT HAM at Seattle Rep


So, did the Rep’s “Fat Ham” crush my soul? Absolutely not and I must entreat anyone reading this, DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!!!

Cast Announced For Pulitzer Prize-Winning FAT HAM At The Old Globe


Discover the latest cast and creative team updates for the much-anticipated production of FAT HAM at the GLOBE. Stay tuned for more updates from the world of Broadway.

Arden Theatre Company Announces RENT And More for 2024/25 Season


Discover the upcoming 2024/25 season at Arden Theatre Company. Get a sneak peek into the exciting new shows and performances that are set to captivate audiences.

Video: Director Sideeq Heard on FAT HAM at Geffen Playhouse


Watch as Director Sideeq shares what he hopes audiences will understand about themselves and others after seeing Fat Ham at Geffen Playhouse.

Review: FAT HAM at Geffen Playhouse


Huzzah James Ijames’ FAT HAM. Bless its softness, its savory juiciness, its wit and its ostentation. And its Juicy! Hooray for the clothes, the music, the unabashed delight that this whacked-out literary homage enjoys in wrestling with Shakespeare’s existential conundrums and deciding, screw it! let’s get down to the food!

TIMMY A New Comedy Premiers At Columbia's Lenfest Center For The Arts


Experience the premier of TIMMY, a new comedy about catfishing by Megan Rivkin at Columbia's Lenfest Center for the Arts.

Interview: Sideeq Heard's Ever Excited to Direct FAT HAM Again


The west coast premiere of James Ijames’ 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama-winning Fat Ham opened April 4, 2024, at the Geffen Playhouse. Sideeq Heard directs the talented cast of Nikki Crawford, Chris Herbie Holland, Billy Eugene Jones, Adrianna Mitchell, Marcel Spears, Benja Kay Thomas and Matthew Elijah Webb. Sideeq found time after his successful opening weekend to answer a few of my queries.

Virginia Repertory Theatre Announces WAITRESS, FAT HAM, And More for 2024-2025 SEASON


Virginia Rep has announced the 2024-2025 Season: an exciting line-up of musicals, plays, and special presentations at all three locations, including the Signature Season at the November Theatre downtown, the Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern, and the Family Season in the Jessie Bogese Theatre at the Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education. Partner productions in the Theatre Gym and additional community partnerships will be announced at a later time. 

Review: HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK at Elgin Theatre


Produced by Côté Danse, Ex Machina and Dvoretsky Productions, THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET is on at the Elgin theatre for five short days, and it’s a respectable addition to Ham Mountain, a visually inventive production that never lets its stage magic overshadow the dancers behind and in front of the curtain.

FAT HAM Comes to TheatreSquared's West Theatre


The award-winning, critically acclaimed Fat Ham by James Ijames will open in TheatreSquared's West Theatre on April 17 in co-production with City Theatre Company (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)  and will run through May 12.

The Wilma Theater Announces Four Philadelphia Premieres And More for 2024-25 Season


Discover the exciting new 2024-25 season productions announced by The Wilma Theater. Get the latest details on the upcoming shows and subscription options.

Helen Hunt-Led BETRAYAL & More Set for Goodman Theatre 2024/25 Season


The Goodman Theatre has revealed its 2024/25 season! See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: First Look at FAT HAM at Geffen Playhouse


Geffen Playhouse is presenting the West Coast premiere of the Broadway production of five-time Tony Award nominee and 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner Fat Ham. Get a first look at photos!

FAT HAM, A CHRISTMAS STORY & More Set for Cleveland Play House 24-25 Season


Cleveland Play House has revealed its 2024-2025 theatrical season of plays. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

WAITRESS, FAT HAM & More Set for San Francisco Playhouse 2024/25 Season


San Francisco Playhouse has revealed its 22nd season, to be presented September 2024 to September 2025. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Canadian Stage Sets 2024-25 Season Featuring Toronto and Canadian Premieres & More


Canadian Stage has unveiled its 24.25 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Playwright Aleshea Harris Wins the 2023 Kesselring Prize for Playwriting


Explore the latest news from the National Arts Club regarding the Kesselring Prize. Stay updated on the details of the award and its significance in the world of Broadway.

Reneé Rapp, FELLOW TRAVELERS & More Win GLAAD Media Awards


Reneé Rapp, Fellow Travelers, and more received GLAAD Media Awards at last night's Los Angeles ceremony. Nominees included The Color Purple, Rustin, Billy Porter, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and more. Check out the winners from the Los Angeles ceremony now!

Cast and Creative Team Set For FAT HAM at Seattle Rep


Seattle Rep has announced the cast and creative team for their upcoming production of Fat Ham, a reimagining of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet set at a Southern Black family cookout.

James Ijames FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has James Ijames been nominated for?

James Ijames has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Fat Ham," the John Gassner Award for New American Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Fat Ham," a Special Citation at the Obie Awards for "Fat Ham," a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Fat Ham," and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play at The Barrymore Awards for "Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches."

What awards has James Ijames won?

James Ijames has won the John Gassner Award for New American Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "Fat Ham," a Special Citation (Obie Awards) for "Fat Ham," the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for "Fat Ham," and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play (The Barrymore Awards) for "Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches."

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