Purpose (play) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purpose |
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| Written by | Branden Jacobs-Jenkins |
| Date of premiere | 2024 |
| Place of premiere | Steppenwolf Theatre Company |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | Chicago, U.S. Present-day |
Purpose is an exciting play written by American writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. It first opened at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago in 2023. This play tells the story of the Jasper family, a well-known Black family involved in politics. The play moved to Broadway in 2024, showing at the Hayes Theater. It was a big success, winning the 2025 Tony Award for Best Play. Many of the actors also received nominations for Tony Awards. Purpose also won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, which is a very important award for plays.
Contents
What the Play is About
The play Purpose is about the fictional Jasper family. They are a well-known African-American family from Chicago. The family members come together again in their home. During this reunion, many secrets and new information come out. The parents and their two grown sons, along with their partners and friends, try to understand their importance to each other. They also explore what it means to be part of Black culture and politics.
Main Actors in Purpose
This table shows the main actors who played each character in the play.
| Character | Chicago 2024 |
Broadway 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
How the Play Was Made
Early Development
The Steppenwolf Theatre Company asked Branden Jacobs-Jenkins to write Purpose. The play was first developed in 2019. This happened at the Colorado New Play Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. During this time, writers and actors work together to improve a new play.
First Performances
After more readings and workshops, Purpose had its first full performance. This was part of Steppenwolf's 2023–2024 season. The play ran from March 14 to April 28, 2024. Phylicia Rashad was the director, guiding the actors and the show.
Moving to Broadway
The play then moved to Broadway for the 2024–2025 season. It was performed at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Many producers helped bring the play to Broadway. These included David Stone, Debra Martin Chase, Marc Platt, LaChanze, Rashad Chambers, Aaron Glick, and the Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
Awards and Honors
Purpose has won many important awards. This shows how much people loved the play and its performances.
| 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 Leading Actor in a Play | Jon Michael Hill | Nominated | |||
| Harry Lennix | Nominated | ||||
| Best Leading 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 | |||
