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Purpose
Purpose Playbill.png
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.

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
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