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Kara Young (actress)

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Kara Young (actress)

Kara Young is an American actress. Known for her dynamic roles on stage both on Broadway and off-Broadway, she has received various accolades, including two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and an Obie Award. Having won the Tony Award in 2024 and 2025, she is the first Black actress to be Tony-nominated in four consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) for Best Featured Actress in a Play and the first African-American actress to win two consecutive Tonys. Young studied at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts before making her stage debut in Patricia Ione Lloyd's play Pretty Hunger (2016) at the Public Theater. The following year, 2017, she joined the LAByrinth Theater Company. She gained acclaim for portraying Viola in the 2022 off-Broadway revival of William Shakespeare's romantic play Twelfth Night at the Classical Theatre of Harlem. She won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play two consecutive years for playing a naive former servant in the Ossie Davis satirical play Purlie Victorious (2024) and a pregnant lesbian in the Branden Jacobs-Jenkins play Purpose (2025). She was Tony-nominated for her roles as a sandwich maker in Lynn Nottage's play Clyde's (2022) and a caretaker in Martyna Majok's dramatic play Cost of Living (2023).

Infobox

Born
Harlem, New York, U.S.
Alma mater
New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
Occupation
Actress

Tables

· Acting credits › Film
2018
Hair Wolf
Role(s)
Cami
Notes
Mariama Diallo
2020
Role(s)
La
Notes
Richard Tanne
King of Knives
Role(s)
Darla
Notes
Jon Delgado
2021
Role(s)
Erin
Notes
Kogonada
2022
Role(s)
Sascha
Notes
Mariama Dillo
F^¢k 'Em R!ght B@¢k
Role(s)
Yolanda
Notes
Harris Doran
2023
Blow Up My Life
Role(s)
Charlie August
Notes
Abigail Horton / Ryan Dickie
2024
Role(s)
Mari Winters
Notes
Anu Valia
2026
Notes
Aleshea Harris
Year
Title
Role
Director
Notes
Ref.
2018
Hair Wolf
Cami
Mariama Diallo
Short film
2020
Chemical Hearts
La
Richard Tanne
King of Knives
Darla
Jon Delgado
2021
After Yang
Erin
Kogonada
Uncredited
2022
Master
Sascha
Mariama Dillo
F^¢k 'Em R!ght B@¢k
Yolanda
Harris Doran
Short film
2023
Blow Up My Life
Charlie August
Abigail Horton / Ryan Dickie
2024
We Strangers
Mari Winters
Anu Valia
2026
Is God Is
Aleshea Harris
Post-production
· Acting credits › Television
2018
Role(s)
Janelle
Notes
Episode: "They Got Some S**t That'll Blow Out Our Back"
2019
Role(s)
VMA Announcer
Notes
Episode: "Chase Performs at the VMAs"
Role(s)
Wendy
Notes
2 episodes
2020
Role(s)
Billie
Notes
Episode: "First Date"
2022
Role(s)
Yasmine
Notes
2 episodes
2023
Role(s)
Jones
Notes
7 episodes
2024
Role(s)
Lutiebell Gussie Mae Jenkins
Notes
Episode: "Purlie Victorious"
Year
Title
Role
Notes
Ref.
2018
Random Acts of Flyness
Janelle
Episode: "They Got Some S**t That'll Blow Out Our Back"
2019
The Other Two
VMA Announcer
Episode: "Chase Performs at the VMAs"
The Punisher
Wendy
2 episodes
2020
Bite Size Halloween
Billie
Episode: "First Date"
2022
The Staircase
Yasmine
2 episodes
2023
I'm a Virgo
Jones
7 episodes
2024
Great Performances
Lutiebell Gussie Mae Jenkins
Episode: "Purlie Victorious"
· Acting credits › Theatre
2016
Pretty Hunger
Role(s)
Lea
Notes
The Public Theater
In the Event of My Death
Role(s)
Kate
Notes
IRT Theatre
2017
Syncing Ink
Role(s)
Sweet Tea
Notes
Alley TheatreThe Flea Theater
2018
The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll'd
Role(s)
Karma
Notes
The Duke on 42nd Street
2019
The New Englanders
Role(s)
Eisa
Notes
New York City Center
Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
Role(s)
Lil Melba Diaz
Notes
Linda Gross Theatre
2020
All the Natalie Portmans
Role(s)
Keyonna
Notes
Susan and Ronald Frankel Theater
2021–2022
Role(s)
Clyde's
Notes
Letitia
2022
Role(s)
Viola
Notes
Classical Theatre of Harlem
Role(s)
Jess
Notes
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Broadway
2023–2024
Role(s)
Purlie Victorious
Notes
Lutiebell Gussie Mae Jenkins
2024
The Apiary
Role(s)
Zora
Notes
Tony Kiser Theatre, Off-Broadway
Syncing Ink
Role(s)
Sweet Tea
Notes
Victoria Theater, Off-Broadway
Table 17
Role(s)
Jada
Notes
MCC Theater, Off-Broadway
2025
Role(s)
Aziza
Notes
Hayes Theater, Broadway
Gruesome Playground Injuries
Role(s)
Kayleen
Notes
Lucille Lortel Theatre, Off-Broadway
Year
Title
Role
Venue
Ref.
2016
Pretty Hunger
Lea
The Public Theater
In the Event of My Death
Kate
IRT Theatre
2017
Syncing Ink
Sweet Tea
Alley TheatreThe Flea Theater
2018
The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll'd
Karma
The Duke on 42nd Street
2019
The New Englanders
Eisa
New York City Center
Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven
Lil Melba Diaz
Linda Gross Theatre
2020
All the Natalie Portmans
Keyonna
Susan and Ronald Frankel Theater
2021–2022
Clyde's
Letitia
Hayes Theater, Broadway
2022
Twelfth Night
Viola
Classical Theatre of Harlem
Cost of Living
Jess
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Broadway
'
2023–2024
Purlie Victorious
Lutiebell Gussie Mae Jenkins
Music Box Theater, Broadway
2024
The Apiary
Zora
Tony Kiser Theatre, Off-Broadway
Syncing Ink
Sweet Tea
Victoria Theater, Off-Broadway
Table 17
Jada
MCC Theater, Off-Broadway
2025
Purpose
Aziza
Hayes Theater, Broadway
Gruesome Playground Injuries
Kayleen
Lucille Lortel Theatre, Off-Broadway
· Awards and nominations
2017
Innovative Theatre Awards
Role(s)
Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role
Notes
In the Event of My Death
2020
Role(s)
Best Actor in a Play Off-Broadway
Notes
All the Natalie Portmans
Role(s)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Special Achievement Award
Notes
Won
2022
Role(s)
Stacey Mindich Go Work in Theater Award
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Clarence Derwent Awards
Notes
Clyde's
Role(s)
Best Featured Actor in a Play (Broadway)
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Notes
Nominated
2023
Role(s)
Performance
Notes
Twelfth Night
Role(s)
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Cost of Living
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Notes
Nominated
2024
Role(s)
Distinguished Performance
Notes
Purlie Victorious
Role(s)
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Notes
Won
2025
Role(s)
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play
Notes
Table 17
Role(s)
Distinguished Performance
Notes
Purpose / Table 17
Role(s)
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Notes
Purpose
Role(s)
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Notes
Won
Year
Association
Category
Work
Result
Ref.
2017
Innovative Theatre Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role
In the Event of My Death
Nominated
2020
Antonyo Awards
Best Actor in a Play Off-Broadway
All the Natalie Portmans
Nominated
Lucille Lortel Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
Nominated
AUDELCO Awards
Special Achievement Award
Won
2022
Lilly Awards
Stacey Mindich Go Work in Theater Award
Won
Actors' Equity Foundation Awards
Clarence Derwent Awards
Clyde's
Won
Antonyo Awards
Best Featured Actor in a Play (Broadway)
Nominated
Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Nominated
Tony Awards
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Nominated
2023
Obie Awards
Performance
Twelfth Night
Won
Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play
Nominated
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Cost of Living
Nominated
Tony Awards
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Nominated
2024
Drama League Awards
Distinguished Performance
Purlie Victorious
Nominated
Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Won
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play
Won
Tony Awards
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Won
2025
Lucille Lortel Awards
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play
Table 17
Won
Drama League Awards
Distinguished Performance
Purpose / Table 17
Nominated
Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Purpose
Won
Dorian Awards
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Nominated
Outer Critics Circle
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play
Nominated
Tony Awards
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Won

References

  1. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/theater/tony-nominees-luncheon-kara-young.html
  2. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/16/theater/kara-young-bulrusher.html
  3. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerylbrunner/2021/12/22/making-her-broadway-debut-in-clydes-kara-young-is-a-force-on-stage-and-screen/
  4. "Notable Alumni"
    https://www.nycda.edu/notable-alumni/
  5. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/theater/the-new-englanders-review.html
  6. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/25/theater/all-the-natalie-portmans-review.html
  7. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/theater/clydes-review.html
  8. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/09/theater/tony-awards-nominees.html
  9. Variety
    https://variety.com/2022/legit/podcasts/cost-of-living-broadway-gregg-mozgala-kara-young-1235384137/
  10. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/theater/tony-award-nominees-list.html
  11. The Tony Awards (Youtube)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKNGYmBNmb8
  12. New York Theatre Guide
    https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/interviews/kara-young-on-her-record-setting-tony-award-win-for-purpose
  13. "Kara Young - IMDB"
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4526977/?ref_=tt_cl_t_2
  14. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/is-god-is-lands-summer-2026-box-office-1236340709/
  15. The Cut
    https://www.thecut.com/2024/06/kara-young-im-a-virgo-broadway-actor-interview.html
  16. Playbill
    https://playbill.com/article/purlie-victorious-starring-leslie-odom-jr-and-kara-young-to-broadcast-on-pbs-may-24
  17. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/PRETTY-HUNGER-and-TEENAGE-DICK-Set-for-Public-Studio-This-Spring-20160218
  18. Irttheatre.org
    https://irttheater.org/3b-development-series/the-world-premiere-of-in-the-event-of-my-death/
  19. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/houston/article/Cast-Creatives-Set-for-NSangou-Njikams-World-Premiere-of-SYNCING-INK-at-Alley-Theatre-20170111
  20. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Jonathan-Paynes-THE-REVOLVING-CYCLES-TRULY-AND-STEADILY-ROLLD-Opens-Tonight-20180919
  21. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/HALFWAY-BITCHES-GO-STRAIGHT-TO-HEAVEN-Extends-One-Week-through-December-29-20191126
  22. TheaterMania
    https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/more-than-a-character-for-actor-kara-young-the-rig_93679.html/
  23. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Cast-Announced-for-TWELFTH-NIGHT-at-Classical-Theatre-Of-Harlem-20220613
  24. "Kara Young to Join Kate Douglas' The Apiary Off-Broadway"
    https://playbill.com/article/kara-young-to-join-kate-douglas-the-apiary-off-broadway
  25. "Syncing Ink Officially Opens NYC Return May 19"
    https://playbill.com/article/syncing-ink-officially-opens-nyc-return-may-19
  26. "Kara Young-Led Table 17 Extends Off-Broadway Prior to Opening"
    https://playbill.com/article/kara-young-led-table-17-extends-off-broadway-prior-to-opening
  27. Playbill
    https://playbill.com/production/gruesome-playground-injuries-off-broadway-lucille-lortel-theatre-2025
  28. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/Nominees-Announced-for-the-2017-Innovative-Theatre-Awards-Full-List-20170726
  29. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/TINA-Audra-McDonald-Joshua-Henry-LaChanze-Arienne-Warren-and-More-Nominated-for-2020-Antonyo-Awards-20200609
  30. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Watch-the-35th-Annual-Lucille-Lortel-Awards-Hosted-by-Mario-Cantone--Live-Now-20200503
  31. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Winners-Announced-For-2020-AUDELCO-Awards-20201204
  32. Playbill
    https://playbill.com/article/2022-tony-nominee-kara-young-wins-lilly-award-see-the-full-winners-list
  33. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Amber-Gray-Kara-Young-More-Receive-2022-Actors-Equity-Foundation-Awards-20220516
  34. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2nd-Annual-Antonyo-Award-Nominations-Announced-See-The-Full-List-20220621
  35. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SIX-KIMBERLY-AKIMBO-Lead-Nominations-for-2022-Drama-Desk-Awards-20220516
  36. BroadwayWorld.com
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/FAT-HAM-ENGLISH-Kara-Young-Saheem-Ali-More-Win-Obie-Awards-for-2020-2022-Season-20230224
  37. Theatermania
    https://www.theatermania.com/news/2024-drama-league-award-nominations-announced_1737887/
  38. Playbill
    https://playbill.com/article/stereophonic-leads-2024-outer-critics-circle-awards-wins-best-play-see-the-full-list-of-winners
  39. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/theater/tony-awards-nominations.html
  40. "2025 Lucille Lortel Awards Winners- Updating Live"
    https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2025-Lucille-Lortel-Awards-Winners--Updating-Live-20250504
  41. Broadwaynews
    https://www.broadwaynews.com/death-becomes-her-leads-nominations-for-dorian-theater-awards/
  42. Playbill
    https://playbill.com/article/death-becomes-her-leads-2025-outer-critics-circle-award-nominations-read-the-full-list
  43. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/2025-tony-awards-nominees-full-list-nominations-1236204935/
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