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)
Nominated
Distinguished Performance
Role(s)
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Nominated
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
| 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
- www.steppenwolf.orghttps://www.steppenwolf.org/tickets--events/seasons-/202324/purpose/
- Chicago Sun-Timeshttps://chicago.suntimes.com/theater/2024/03/25/purpose-review-steppenwolf-theatre-phylicia-rashad-branden-jacobs-jenkins
- Playbill.com Purpose will play Broadway accessed August 16, 2024https://playbill.com/article/purpose-by-branden-jacobs-jenkins-directed-by-phylicia-rashad-will-play-on-broadway
- 2st.comhttp://web.archive.org/web/20241112234332/https://2st.com/shows/season-46
- AMERICAN THEATREhttps://www.americantheatre.org/2019/06/12/in-colorado-seeing-new-plays-before-theyre-born/
- Chicago Tribunehttps://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/03/21/branden-jacobs-jenkins-purpose-steppenwolf/
- The Chicago Tribunehttps://www.yahoo.com/news/review-purpose-intense-branden-jacobs-151000250.html
- The Pulitzer Prizeshttps://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2025
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/2025-tony-awards-nominees-full-list-nominations-1236204935/
- "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
- Playbillhttps://playbill.com/article/2025-drama-league-awards-nominations-are-out-read-the-full-list
- Playbillhttps://playbill.com/article/death-becomes-her-leads-2025-outer-critics-circle-award-nominations-read-the-full-list
- "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