Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has been awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Purpose, a compelling exploration of familial legacy and identity. The play premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company in March 2024, directed by Phylicia Rashad, and later opened on Broadway at the Hayes Theater on March 17, 2025. This accolade represents the second time a Steppenwolf production has earned the Pulitzer for Drama, highlighting the theater's ongoing contribution to American theater.
The full company of Purpose on Broadway. (Photo by Marc J. Franklin, for Steppenwolf Theatre Company)
Purpose delves into the intricate dynamics of an upper-middle-class African American family, the Jaspers, whose patriarch, Solomon Jasper, is a revered civil rights figure. The narrative unfolds as the youngest son, Nazareth, returns home with an unexpected guest, prompting the family to confront their shared history and individual beliefs. The Pulitzer committee described the play as "a skillful blend of drama and comedy that probes how different generations define heritage."
This Pulitzer win marks Jacobs-Jenkins' first, following previous nominations for Gloria in 2016 and Everybody in 2018. He also received a Tony Award for his play Appropriate.
Steppenwolf Theatre's history with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama includes Tracy Letts' August: Osage County, which won the award in 2008. The play premiered at Steppenwolf in 2007 before transferring to Broadway, where it received widespread acclaim.
Purpose has garnered critical acclaim, earning six Tony nominations, including Best Play. The production features a stellar cast, including Jon Michael Hill, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Kara Young.
With Purpose, Jacobs-Jenkins continues the tradition of compelling storytelling that challenges audiences and reflects the complexities of contemporary society. The play's success reinforces Steppenwolf Theatre's position as a vital incubator for innovative and socially resonant theater.
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times: 'Purpose' wins Pulitzer Prize for Drama, received world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre; American Theatre: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Wins 2025 Pulitzer for Drama for 'Purpose'; Broadway News: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins wins 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for 'Purpose'; Yale News: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins wins Pulitzer Prize for Drama Vulture: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Finally Wins His First Pulitzer for Purpose
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