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Purpose (play)

Updated: 12/11/2025, 2:45:49 PM Wikipedia source

Purpose is a stage play written by American playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. It premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago in 2023–24. The play is a family drama revealing the members of the black, politically prominent Jasper family. It transferred to Broadway for the 2024–25 season at the Hayes Theater, and won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Play. In addition, five of the six actors received Tony Award nominations. It won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Infobox

Written by
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Date premiered
2024
Place premiered
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Original language
English
Genre
Drama
Setting
Chicago, U.S. Present-day

Tables

· Notable casts
Nazareth "Naz" Jasper
Nazareth "Naz" Jasper
Character
Nazareth "Naz" Jasper
Chicago2024
Jon Michael Hill
Claudine Jasper
Claudine Jasper
Character
Claudine Jasper
Chicago2024
Tamara Tunie
Broadway2025
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Solomon "Sonny" Jasper
Solomon "Sonny" Jasper
Character
Solomon "Sonny" Jasper
Chicago2024
Harry Lennix
Morgan Jasper
Morgan Jasper
Character
Morgan Jasper
Chicago2024
Alana Arenas
Solomon "Junior" Jasper
Solomon "Junior" Jasper
Character
Solomon "Junior" Jasper
Chicago2024
Glenn Davis
Aziza
Aziza
Character
Aziza
Chicago2024
Ayanna Bria Bakari
Broadway2025
Kara Young
Character
Chicago2024
Broadway2025
Nazareth "Naz" Jasper
Jon Michael Hill
Claudine Jasper
Tamara Tunie
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Solomon "Sonny" Jasper
Harry Lennix
Morgan Jasper
Alana Arenas
Solomon "Junior" Jasper
Glenn Davis
Aziza
Ayanna Bria Bakari
Kara Young
· Accolades
2025
Role(s)
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Best Play
Notes
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Role(s)
Jon Michael Hill
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Nominated
Role(s)
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Glenn Davis
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Kara Young
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Outstanding Play
Notes
Purpose
Role(s)
Kara Young
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Outstanding Production of a Play
Notes
Purpose
Distinguished Performance
Role(s)
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Nominated
Role(s)
Outstanding New Broadway Play
Notes
Purpose
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play
Role(s)
Jon Michael Hill
Notes
Nominated
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play
Role(s)
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Nominated
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Role(s)
Phylicia Rashad
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Notes
Won
Year
Award
Category
Nominated work
Result
Ref.
2025
Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Won
Tony Awards
Best Play
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Won
Best Actor in a Play
Jon Michael Hill
Nominated
Harry Lennix
Nominated
Best Actress in a Play
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Nominated
Best Featured Actor in a Play
Glenn Davis
Nominated
Best Featured Actress in a Play
Kara Young
Won
Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Play
Purpose
Won
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play
Kara Young
Won
Drama League Awards
Outstanding Production of a Play
Purpose
Nominated
Distinguished Performance
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Nominated
Kara Young
Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Outstanding New Broadway Play
Purpose
Nominated
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play
Jon Michael Hill
Nominated
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Nominated
Kara Young
Nominated
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Phylicia Rashad
Nominated
New York Drama Critics' Circle Award
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Won

References

  1. www.steppenwolf.org
    https://www.steppenwolf.org/tickets--events/seasons-/202324/purpose/
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    https://chicago.suntimes.com/theater/2024/03/25/purpose-review-steppenwolf-theatre-phylicia-rashad-branden-jacobs-jenkins
  3. Playbill.com Purpose will play Broadway accessed August 16, 2024
    https://playbill.com/article/purpose-by-branden-jacobs-jenkins-directed-by-phylicia-rashad-will-play-on-broadway
  4. 2st.com
    http://web.archive.org/web/20241112234332/https://2st.com/shows/season-46
  5. AMERICAN THEATRE
    https://www.americantheatre.org/2019/06/12/in-colorado-seeing-new-plays-before-theyre-born/
  6. Chicago Tribune
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/03/21/branden-jacobs-jenkins-purpose-steppenwolf/
  7. The Chicago Tribune
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/review-purpose-intense-branden-jacobs-151000250.html
  8. The Pulitzer Prizes
    https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2025
  9. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/2025-tony-awards-nominees-full-list-nominations-1236204935/
  10. "Boop! Leads 2025 Drama Desk Award Nominations With 11 Nods Including Outstanding Musical; Read the Full List Here"
    https://playbill.com/article/boop-leads-2025-drama-desk-award-nominations-with-11-nods-including-outstanding-musical-read-the-full-list-here
  11. Playbill
    https://playbill.com/article/2025-drama-league-awards-nominations-are-out-read-the-full-list
  12. Playbill
    https://playbill.com/article/death-becomes-her-leads-2025-outer-critics-circle-award-nominations-read-the-full-list
  13. "Maybe Happy Ending, Purpose Win New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards; See the Full List of Winners"
    https://playbill.com/article/maybe-happy-ending-purpose-win-new-york-drama-critics-circle-awards-see-the-full-list-of-winners
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