Lynn Nottage
Lynn Nottage
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Lynn Nottage is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright and librettist.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on March 5, 1964 (age 59), in Brooklyn, New York.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American playwright and librettist.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Brooklyn, Nottage developed an interest in writing at a young age. She attended the prestigious Columbia University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in History in 1986. After college, she pursued a career in playwriting, initially working as a waitress to support herself while writing.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout her career, Nottage has achieved numerous milestones:
Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2009 and 2013): For her plays _Ruined_ and _Sweat_, respectively. She is the first female playwright to win the award twice.
Tony Award nominations: For her play _Ruined_ (2009) and the musical adaptation of _Sweat_ (2016).
Obie Awards: For outstanding achievement in off-Broadway theater.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Nottage's most notable works include:
_Ruined_ (2008): A play set during the Democratic Republic of Congo's civil war, exploring the lives of women affected by violence.
_Sweat_ (2015): A play examining the lives of working-class Americans in a Pennsylvania town struggling with economic decline and racial tensions.
_Intimate Apparel_ (2003): A play about a young African-American woman's journey to independence in early 20th-century New York City.
Impact and Legacy
Nottage's work has had a significant impact on the theater world:
Her plays often focus on underrepresented communities, sparking conversations about social justice and human rights.
She has been recognized for her commitment to empowering women and marginalized voices through her writing.
Her collaborations with composer Stanton Welch have led to critically acclaimed musical adaptations of her plays.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Lynn Nottage is widely quoted and remembered for:
Her powerful storytelling: Nottage's ability to craft compelling narratives that explore the complexities of human experience has earned her widespread recognition.
Her commitment to social justice: Her work often sheds light on critical issues, inspiring audiences to engage with and address pressing concerns.
Her dedication to elevating underrepresented voices: By centering the stories of women and marginalized communities, Nottage has helped pave the way for greater representation in theater.
Quotes by Lynn Nottage
I do see myself as an old-fashioned storyteller. But there's always a touch of the political in my plays.
When I sat in rooms with middle-aged white men, I heard them speaking like young black men in America. They had been solidly middle class for the majority of their working careers, but now they were feeling angry, disaffected, and in some cases, they actually had tears in their eyes.
It remains an incredible struggle for women in theater, and, in particular, playwrights and directors, to get their work seen and to not only get seen, but to get it to Broadway.
It's incumbent on us to reach beyond the confines of the institutions that traditionally produce art and find new ways to get it to the people.
When you're fighting for an increasingly smaller portion of the pie, you turn against each other; you create reasons to hate each other.
I would like there to be gender equity. I would like the Broadway season to reflect sort of the demographic of the country.
I teach at Columbia, and I'm always looking for books I can lose myself in during the 45 minutes I'm on the train.
A lot of the factories that had been the bedrock of many small cities were being shut down, which led me to investigate what I'm calling the 'de-industrial revolution.'
I was really interested in the way in which poverty and economic stagnation were transforming and corrupting the American narrative.