Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s PURPOSE Wins Two 2025 Tony Awards

Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s PURPOSE Wins Two 2025 Tony Awards

Best Play and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role 

Now Extended Through August 31 at the Helen Hayes Theater

CHICAGO – Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins was honored tonight with two 2025 Tony Awards including Best Play and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Kara Young) at the 78th Annual Tony Awards ceremony at New York’s legendary Radio City Music Hall. Purpose, which enjoyed its world premiere at Steppenwolf in 2024, recently announced an eight-week Broadway extension, playing through August 31 at the Helen Hayes Theater, 240 West 44th St. in New York. Tickets are available at purposeonbroadway.com.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of the production, Steppenwolf Artistic Director and Purpose cast member Glenn Davis stated, “On behalf of the entire Steppenwolf Community and Team Purpose, I would like to thank the Broadway League and the American Theater Wing for this honor. My fellow Artistic Director Audrey Francis, Executive Director Brooke Flanagan and I dedicate this award to Steppenwolf’s leadership, staff, board and especially our ensemble. They are, without question some of the greatest artists in the country – risk takers and innovators who have launched some of the boldest new plays in the American theatrical canon.”

Davis continued, “Thank you to our singular Producer, the incomparable David Stone, and to the entire producing team for giving us this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And thank you to our brilliant director Ms. Phylicia Rashad, the Queen, for her iconic leadership and vision. And, finally, thank you to our extraordinary playwright, the genius that is Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Branden, you created this play with us, and for us – you are a creative genius, a friend, I love you, thank you, one of the great voices of our generation.”

Purpose was nominated for six Tony Awards, also including Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (LaTanya Richardson Jackson), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Jon Michael Hill & Harry Lennix) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Glenn Davis).

Purpose is also the winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the 2025 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play and two 2025 Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Play and Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (Kara Young).

Directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad, the Broadway production features Steppenwolf ensemble members Alana Arenas, Glenn Davis and Jon Michael Hill joined by LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix and Kara Young.

Produced on Broadway by David Stone, Purpose was commissioned by and had its world premiere on March 24, 2024 at Chicago’s legendary Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where it received rave reviews. The production sold out its initial engagement and extension weeks, becoming one of the highest-grossing shows in Steppenwolf’s nearly 50-year history.

To sign up for more information please visit: purposeonbroadway.com.

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