Context:

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins was surprised with the news of winning the Pulitzer Prize for his play 'Purpose' while preparing for his first Met Gala. 'Purpose' is a Broadway play that delves into the complex dynamics of an upper middle-class African-American family, blending drama and comedy to explore generational heritage. Directed by Phylicia Rashad, the play was initially commissioned by Steppenwolf Theater Company and has received six Tony nominations. Jacobs-Jenkins, known for his avant-garde work, has been a Pulitzer finalist twice before and won a Tony Award last year. He is currently working on a 'Purple Rain' musical, and despite his success, remains grounded about his transition to Broadway, cherishing the opportunity to write for prestigious acting ensembles like Steppenwolf.

Dive Deeper:

• Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's play 'Purpose' won the Pulitzer Prize for drama, recognized for its exploration of a Black political family and the intergenerational definition of heritage, while blending drama and comedy.

• The play, directed by Phylicia Rashad, premiered at Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago and transitioned to Broadway in March, receiving six Tony Award nominations.

• Jacobs-Jenkins, who has previously been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize twice, expressed surprise and gratitude for the accolade, reflecting on the unpredictability of a play's success.

• Known for his experimental work, Jacobs-Jenkins has been able to transition to Broadway while maintaining his audience, enjoying the varied and radical Broadway audience.

• His upcoming project is a musical adaptation of 'Purple Rain', a challenging endeavor as it involves reimagining a classic film with songs not originally intended for a musical format.

• Jacobs-Jenkins values the traditional art of playwriting, which he sees as a profound form that brings strangers together to explore shared values through storytelling.

• Despite the golden age of American playwriting, Jacobs-Jenkins expresses concern about the struggles faced by nonprofit theater organizations in the post-pandemic era.