Lileana Blain-Cruz
Latest News on Lileana Blain-Cruz:
BIO
LCT: Pipeline; the LCT3 productions of Marys Seacole (Obie Award), War (also Yale Rep); also Resident Director. Recent projects include Dreaming Zenzile (St. Louis Rep, McCarter, upcoming at NYTW/National Black Theatre); …(Iphigenia) (MASS MoCA, Arts Emerson, Kennedy Center); Hansel and Gretel (film for Houston Grand Opera); Anatomy of a Suicide (Atlantic); Fefu and Her Friends (TFANA); Girls (Yale Rep); Faust (Opera Omaha); The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World (Obie Award), Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine (Signature); Thunderbodies, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. (Soho Rep); The House That Will Not Stand, Red Speedo (NYTW); Henry IV, Part One, Much Ado About Nothing (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); The Bluest Eye (The Guthrie); Salome (JACK); and Hollow Roots (the Under the Radar Festival at The Public Theater). 2021 Doris Duke Artist, 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist, 2018 United States Artists Fellow. Upcoming: The Listeners (Opera Norway).
Photos
Productions
See how Lileana Blain-Cruz connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Lileana Blain-Cruz from another Broadway star or creative.
Lileana Blain-Cruz
Connection
Awards and Nominations
Lileana Blain-Cruz, Dreaming Zenzile
Lileana Blain-Cruz, White Girl in Danger
winner
Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Skin Of Our Teeth
Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Skin of Our Teeth
winner
Lileana Blain Cruz, Marys Seacole
Lileana Blain-Cruz, Pipeline
winner
Lileana Blain-Cruz, The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World
Videos
Video: THE BLOOD QUILT at Lincoln Center Theater First Look
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2024-11-20 13:45:40
Video: Go Inside Rehearsals For EL NIÑO at the Metropolitan Opera
by Joshua Wright - 2024-04-12 14:42:42
Video: Director Lileana Blain-Cruz Discusses Latin American Influences in The Met's EL NIÑO
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-04-06 16:00:53
Exclusive: Listen to 'Why I Kill' From Michael R. Jackson's WHITE GIRL IN DANGER
by Stephi Wild - 2024-03-28 09:26:04
Video: Go Inside the Photo Shoot for EL NIÑO at the Metropolitan Opera
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-03-24 15:33:01
Video: The Company of WHITE GIRL IN DANGER on Living in Michael R. Jackson's World
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2023-03-06 09:33:42
Meet the 2022 Tony Nominees: THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH's Gabby Beans
by Nicole Rosky - 2022-05-25 16:30:20
Meet the 2022 Tony Nominees: THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH's Lileana Blain-Cruz
by Nicole Rosky - 2022-05-20 16:00:20
VIDEO: First Look at THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, Opening Tonight at Lincoln Center Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2022-04-25 12:28:43
TV: Watch Highlights from Dominique Morisseau's PIPELINE, Opening Tonight at LCT
by BroadwayWorld TV - 2017-07-10 13:13:25
News
by Sidney Paterra - Aug 9, 2026
What does it feel like when doves cry? Broadway is about to find out! As BroadwayWorld previously reported, 42 years to the day since Prince’s legendary film premiered, and three weeks since the album re-entered the Billboard 200, the stage adaptation of Purple Rain will arrive on Broadway later this season. While we await its arrival, catch up on everything there is to know so far!
by Stephi Wild - Aug 4, 2026
Viajes Miranda, the production team comprising of Lin-Manuel Miranda and his father, Luis A. Miranda Jr., have been added to the producing team for the upcoming Broadway production of Purple Rain.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 4, 2026
Lincoln Center Theater has announced the full cast and creative team for August Wilson's SEVEN GUITARS, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 27, 2026
Let's go crazy! BroadwayWorld has just learned that 42 years to the day since Prince’s legendary film premiered, and three weeks since the album re-entered the Billboard 200, the stage adaptation of PURPLE RAIN will arrive on Broadway. PURPLE RAIN will premiere next spring at the Majestic Theatre, beginning previews on Friday, March 12, 2027, and officially opening on Monday, April 12, 2027. We have all of the details here!
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 9, 2026
The Flea announced the cast of BEYOND THE STARDUST, an immersive nightlife show conceived by Niegel Smith and The Illustrious Blacks, featuring aerialists, vocalists, and dancers in an Afro-disco-space-punk production.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 24, 2026
The stage adaptation of the iconic film, Purple Rain, which had its world premiere last year in Minneapolis, has added new members of the creative team as it prepares the show for a potential Broadway run.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 10, 2026
IAMA Theatre Company concludes its 18th season with the workshop production of …but you could’ve held my hand. Check out photos of the production.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 1, 2026
Black Women on Broadway (BWOB) recently held its fifth annual awards celebration, honoring Debra Martin Chase, Whitney White, Alana Raquel Bowers, and Destiny Lilly for their contributions to the theater industry. The event was hosted by BWOB co-founders Danielle Brooks, Amber Iman, and Jocelyn Bioh.
by Marissa Faith Curley - May 30, 2026
IAMA Theatre Company will conclude its 18th season with the workshop production of …but you could’ve held my hand. Written by JuCoby Johnson and directed by H. Adam Harris.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2026
IAMA Theatre Company will close its 18th season with a workshop production of ...BUT YOU COULD'VE HELD MY HAND, written by JuCoby Johnson and directed by H. Adam Harris, at Atwater Village Theatre in Los Angeles.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 19, 2026
The Metropolitan Opera has revealed its 2026–27 season, featuring five new and 12 repertory productions, a special 60th-anniversary gala, and performances of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025
Performances are now underway for the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN. The Broadway-aimed production is playing at Hennepin Arts’ historic State Theatre in Minneapolis. Read the reviews for Purple Rain here!
by Jared Fessler - Nov 6, 2025
When the lights went down inside the State Theatre and the opening chords of “Let’s Go Crazy” rang out, it was clear that Purple Rain had come home. The new stage musical, based on Prince’s 1984 film, is making its world premiere in Minneapolis before heading to Broadway—and it feels like the city has wrapped its arms around it.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 5, 2025
You can now get a first look at photos of the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN. The cast features Kris Kollins, who is making his professional stage debut in the lead role of The Kid.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2025
Due to audience demand, producer Orin Wolf and Hennepin Arts are pleased to announce that the stage adaptation of the iconic film PURPLE RAIN will rock the historic State Theatre for one additional week.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 19, 2025
The world premiere musical adaptation, PURPLE RAIN, will play at Hennepin Arts’ historic State Theatre in Minneapolis. Get a first look at the video for 'I Would Die 4 U'. Watch here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 21, 2025
The complete cast has been revealed for the world premiere stage adaptation of the iconic film, PURPLE RAIN. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 12, 2025
The cast members who will lead the pre-Broadway world premiere stage adaptation of PURPLE RAIN have been revealed. See who is starring and learn more about the world premiere production.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 8, 2025
The Assembly has announced the fifth cohort of its Deceleration Lab, supporting two new collaborative theatre projects: Black Reconstruction in America by Alle Mims and Dezi Tibbs, and 心esthesia by Tianding He, Xuanqi Liu, and Menghang Wu. Public showings to be announced.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 20, 2025
New York Theatre Workshop has revealed the individuals selected for the 2025/26 Season 2050 Administrative and Artistic Fellowships. Learn more about the artists here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for Dreaming Zenzile, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for White Girl in Danger, Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards) for The Skin Of Our Teeth, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Skin of Our Teeth, Special Citations (Obie Awards) for Marys Seacole, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Pipeline and Directing (Obie Awards) for The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World.
Lileana Blain-Cruz has won the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards for The Skin Of Our Teeth. She also received Special Citations at the Obie Awards for Marys Seacole and an award for Directing at the Obie Awards for The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World.
