Contemporary playwrights are bringing fresh perspectives and bold stories to the stage. With captivating dramas and innovative comedies, these writers are transforming theatre and leaving a lasting impact. Discover some of today’s most influential voices below.
Getty Images
Ayad Akhtar
A Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Ayad Akhtar delves into themes of identity, politics, and religion in works like Disgraced and Junk. His storytelling confronts contemporary cultural and financial divides.
Courtesy of Broadway.com
Jocelyn Bioh
Celebrated for her vibrant storytelling and authentic characters, Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play has earned acclaim for its humor and exploration of beauty standards and identity. Her most-recent work, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, opened on Broadway in 2023.
Courtesy of Lauren Gunderson
Lauren Gunderson
As one of the most-produced playwrights in America, Lauren Gunderson combines wit and heart to tell stories that often celebrate science, feminism, and history, such as The Book of Will and Silent Sky.
View Our Lauren Gunderson Titles
Courtesy of WGA East
Katori Hall
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Hot Wing King, Katori Hall’s work captures the struggles and triumphs of Black life. Her acclaimed play The Mountaintop reimagines Martin Luther King Jr.’s final night.
Courtesy of Kate Hammill
Kate Hamill
Known for her fresh, feminist adaptations of literary classics like Sense and Sensibility and Little Women, Kate Hamill brings a modern perspective and humor to traditional tales.
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Branden Jacobs- Jenkins
A bold voice in contemporary theatre, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is known for his provocative works like An Octoroon and Gloria. His plays challenge conventions and examine race, identity, and privilege, including an acclaimed Broadway production of Appropriate, which won the Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Play.
View Our Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Titles
Julieta Cervantes
Abe Koogler
With plays that vary in style and focus, Abe Koogler is known for his offbeat humor and nuanced storytelling, as seen in plays like Deep Blue Sound and Kill Floor. His work reflects the challenges of modern life.
Courtesy of PBS
John Leguizamo
A dynamic performer and playwright, John Leguizamo uses humor and personal storytelling to explore identity, culture, and history in works like Mambo Mouth and Latin History for Morons. His one-man shows (expandable as ensemble pieces) blend comedy and activism.
View Our John Leguizamo Titles
Bronwen Sharp
Martyna Majok
A Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Martyna Majok creates deeply human stories that explore resilience, class, and connection. Works like Cost of Living and Ironbound highlight the struggles and triumphs of often-overlooked individuals with compassion and nuance.
Jordan Strauss—Invision/AP
Martin McDonagh
A master of dark comedy and gripping narratives, Martin McDonagh gained fame for his plays like The Pillowman and The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Known for his wit and exploration of human cruelty, he’s also a celebrated filmmaker (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri).
View Our Martin McDonagh Titles
Lynn Savarese
Lynn Nottage
The only woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice, Lynn Nottage explores complex social issues through deeply empathetic characters in plays like Ruined and Sweat. Her work bridges the personal and the political.
Sandy Rustin
Known for her comedic timing and versatility, Sandy Rustin has penned crowd-pleasers like Clue: On Stage (adapted from the iconic film) and The Cottage, which opened on Broadway in 2023.
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images
John Patrick Shanley
A Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award®-winning writer, John Patrick Shanley is best known for Doubt: A Parable, a gripping drama exploring faith and morality. His sharp dialogue and emotionally intense works have left an indelible mark on theatre and film.
View Our John Patrick Shanley Titles
Marc J. Franklin
Tom Stoppard
Renowned for his intellectual depth and clever wordplay, Tom Stoppard has created classics like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Leopoldstadt (which won the Tony Award® for Best Play in 2023). His works often merge philosophy, science, and human emotion.
Austin Hargrave
Bess Wohl
With a keen eye for the subtleties of human connection, Bess Wohl is celebrated for her thought-provoking works like Small Mouth Sounds and Grand Horizons. Her plays often explore silence and the unspoken.
Don Zolidis
The most-produced playwright in American schools, Don Zolidis specializes in comedies like The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon and poignant dramas that resonate with young audiences (Elsewhere), making him a staple in educational theatre.
