Tarell Alvin McCraney
Encyclopedia
Tarell Alvin McCraney is an award-winning American playwright and actor. He is a member of Teo Castellanos/ D Projects Theater Company in Miami and in 2008 became RSC/Warwick International Playwright in Residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company
. In April 2010, McCraney became the 43rd member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble.
and received his BFA in acting. In May 2007 he graduated from Yale School of Drama
's playwriting program where he received the Cole Porter Playwriting Award upon graduation.
As an actor he has worked with directors such as Tina Landau
of the Steppenwolf
Theater Ensemble Chicago, IL, David Cromer
and BJ Jones artistic director of the Northlight Theatre (where he co-starred in the Chicago Premiere of Joe Penhall
's Blue/Orange), and began a lasting working relationship with Peter Brook
and Marie-Helene Etienne of the Bouffes du Nord
, Paris.
His Brother/Sister trilogy are set in the Louisiana Projects and explore Yoruba mythology, and Wig Out, which is set in New York drag clubs
, explores McCraney's experiences as a gay black man.
The third play in the Brother/Sister trilogy, Marcus: or the Secret of the Sweet has been optioned by London's Young Vic Theatre.
McCraney heads up an impressive list of out media professionals in the June/July 2009, Forty under 40, issue of The Advocate
. Six months earlier he made the prestigious Out 100, alongside Edward Albee, Sir Ian MCKellen, and Gus Vant Sant, among others.
In Many 2009, McCraney was award the first annual New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award for "The Brothers Size".
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
. In April 2010, McCraney became the 43rd member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble.
Biography
McCraney attended the New World School of the Arts High School, (Miami, Fl) receiving the exemplary artist award and the Dean's Award in Theater. He matriculated into the Theater School at DePaul UniversityDePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
and received his BFA in acting. In May 2007 he graduated from Yale School of Drama
Yale School of Drama
The Yale School of Drama is a graduate professional school of Yale University providing training in every discipline of the theatre: acting, design , directing, dramaturgy and dramatic criticism, playwriting, stage management, sound design, technical design and production, and theater...
's playwriting program where he received the Cole Porter Playwriting Award upon graduation.
As an actor he has worked with directors such as Tina Landau
Tina Landau
Tina Landau is an American playwright and theatre director.Born in New York City to film and television producers Edie and Ely Landau, Landau moved with her family to Beverly Hills, California, where she graduated from Beverly Hills High School before attending Yale University, where she directed...
of the Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a Tony Award-winning Chicago theatre company founded in 1974 by Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney and Jeff Perry in the basement of a church in Highland Park, Illinois. It has since relocated to Chicago's Halsted Street, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Its name comes from...
Theater Ensemble Chicago, IL, David Cromer
David Cromer
David Cromer is an American theatre director and stage actor. He has received recognition for his work Off-Broadway and in his native Chicago. Cromer has won or been nominated for numerous awards, including winning the Lucille Lortel Award and Obie Award for his direction of Our Town...
and BJ Jones artistic director of the Northlight Theatre (where he co-starred in the Chicago Premiere of Joe Penhall
Joe Penhall
Joe Penhall is a British playwright and screenwriter.Born in London, his first major play was Some Voices for the Royal Court Theatre, London, in 1994, which won the John Whiting Award. It has twice been revived off Broadway...
's Blue/Orange), and began a lasting working relationship with Peter Brook
Peter Brook
Peter Stephen Paul Brook CH, CBE is an English theatre and film director and innovator, who has been based in France since the early 1970s.-Life:...
and Marie-Helene Etienne of the Bouffes du Nord
Bouffes du Nord
The Bouffes du Nord is a theater at 37 bis, boulevard de la Chapelle in the 10th arrondissement of Paris located near the Gare du Nord. It is registered as a historic monument.-History:...
, Paris.
His Brother/Sister trilogy are set in the Louisiana Projects and explore Yoruba mythology, and Wig Out, which is set in New York drag clubs
Ball culture
Ball culture, the house system, the ballroom community and similar terms describe the underground LGBT subculture in the United States in which people "walk" for trophies and prizes at events known as balls. Those who walk often also dance and vogue while others compete in various genres of drag...
, explores McCraney's experiences as a gay black man.
The third play in the Brother/Sister trilogy, Marcus: or the Secret of the Sweet has been optioned by London's Young Vic Theatre.
McCraney heads up an impressive list of out media professionals in the June/July 2009, Forty under 40, issue of The Advocate
The Advocate
The Advocate is an American LGBT-interest magazine, printed monthly and available by subscription. The Advocate brand also includes a web site. Both magazine and web site have an editorial focus on news, politics, opinion, and arts and entertainment of interest to LGBT people...
. Six months earlier he made the prestigious Out 100, alongside Edward Albee, Sir Ian MCKellen, and Gus Vant Sant, among others.
In Many 2009, McCraney was award the first annual New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award for "The Brothers Size".
Plays
- The Brother/Sister plays
- The Brothers Size started as a workshop at the Yale School of DramaYale School of DramaThe Yale School of Drama is a graduate professional school of Yale University providing training in every discipline of the theatre: acting, design , directing, dramaturgy and dramatic criticism, playwriting, stage management, sound design, technical design and production, and theater...
and appeared at the Under the Rader Festival at the Public TheaterPublic TheaterThe Public Theater is a New York City arts organization founded as The Shakespeare Workshop in 1954 by Joseph Papp, with the intention of showcasing the works of up-and-coming playwrights and performers. It is headquartered at 425 Lafayette Street in the former Astor Library in the East Village...
in New York produced by the Foundry Theater and in the IN-Festival at the McCarter Theater, Princeton, NJ 2007. The Brothers Size received its European premiere at the Young Vic in November 2007 to considerable acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination. - In The Red and Brown Water, part of the Public Theater's New Works Now Festival 2006 (directed by Tina Landau), winner of the 2007 Kendeda Award at the Alliance Theater Atlanta, GA. European premiere at the Young Vic, London in October 2008.
- Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet appeared in the Carlotta Festival 2007 at the Yale School of Drama.
- The Brothers Size started as a workshop at the Yale School of Drama
- Other plays
- Without/Sin, and Run Mourner, Run (adapted from Randall Kenan's short story) both received their première at the Yale Cabaret.
- Wig Out! A play on the KIDZ was work-shopped at the Sundance Theater Lab Summer 2007 and premiered at Off-Broadway's Vineyard Theatre in 2008, before premiering overseas at London's Royal Court TheatreRoyal Court TheatreThe Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
under the title Wig Out!. - The Breach, a play on Katrina, was commissioned by Southern Rep Theater, in New Orleans in the Summer of 2006. And received its world premiere August 2007 (marking the 2-year anniversary of the tragedy in New Orleans in New Orleans) as well as playing in December 2007 at the Seattle Rep Theater.