Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, an American playwright, has carved a noteworthy career in the domain of drama and theater. He has shown a consistent ability to create thought-provoking, award-winning material. Jacobs-Jenkins' breakthrough came with the play "Appropriate," which not only marked his Broadway debut in 2023 but also earned him his first Tony Award. His play "Purpose" gained significant recognition and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2025. Additionally, his works "Gloria" and "Everybody" were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

Jacobs-Jenkins has received numerous accolades in his career, including the Obie Award for Best New American Play in 2014 for his plays "Appropriate" and "An Octoroon." He was also named a MacArthur Fellow in 2016. In 2010, he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship, during which he wrote "War" in Germany. His work has been widely acclaimed, with "Appropriate" winning three Tony Awards in 2023, including Best Revival of a Play.

Outside of his playwriting, Jacobs-Jenkins has shown a commitment to theatrical education and community. He joined the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin MFA playwriting program in 2019, and later the Yale Faculty of Arts and Sciences in 2021 as a professor in the practice of Theater and Performance Studies. Currently, he serves on the board of Soho Rep in New York City, further contributing to the theatrical community.