Ensemble Member Tracy Letts Wins Pulitzer Prize
Posted by Joy Meads on 4/07/2008We’re pleased to announce that Tracy Letts received the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for drama for his play August: Osage County today. As you may know, the prize is awarded annually “for a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life.” As an award-winner, Tracy joins the company of the most eminent playwrights of the American theater, including Eugene O’Neill, Tennessee Williams, Thorton Wilder, Tony Kushner, and Sam Shepard. We extend our warmest congratulations to Tracy for this honor.
So, it’s a day of celebration here in the Steppenwolf offices. We couldn’t be more proud of Tracy. And the success of August: Osage County is particularly meaningful as the play exemplifies the very heart of Steppenwolf’s mission. Commissioned as part of our New Plays Initiative, its development process reflected our philosophy that new play development must be tailored to the individual playwright’s needs and geared toward production. At each step along the way — from the first reading to the production now running on Broadway — August gained vitality through the participation of an ensemble of artists with a long history of collaboration. Finally, August’s success was contingent upon the culture of risk-taking that we on the staff are proud to share with you in our audience. Many theaters might have balked at August’s ensemble of thirteen, and many audiences may have shied away from an unknown new play clocking in at three plus hours. Together, in the belief that innovation requires a little audacity, we took a chance and embraced this play. On this celebratory day, please take a moment with us to enjoy the success you helped to create.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Congratulations! What a proud day for all of you.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Congratulations, Steppenwolf!
Thank you for showing us how good the American theatre can be. Well done, and please keep the new plays coming.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Such a well-deserved honor for a member of America’s premier theatre company. I saw the show twice, and marvelled at its brilliance each time. I can’t wait to see Superior Donuts. Congratulations to all at Steppenwolf.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
and what a deserved honor it is! congrats, Tracy! congrats, Steppenwolf! congrats, Chicago!
April 7th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Let me add my congradulations.
It has been a plesure to recommend this great play to my New York friends and family. Even more fun was hearing members of my son’s Ensemble in San Francisco give praise to this great play.
April 7th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
It is every bit deserved!! Congratulations Tracy! and congratulations Steppenwolf!!
April 7th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I’ve been on pins and needles about this all day (not sure why…it’s not like I wrote it). But it’s so awesome to see a Chicago artist get his just deserts. Hooray for Tracy, Steppenwolf and all of the Chicago actors doing this nifty play eight times a week in NYC.
April 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Congratulations to Tracy and to Steppenwolf! And of course to the great cast of mostly Chicago actors bringing forth the word. Nothing finer!
Just another example of the fine quality that STC brings to the stage in its broad spectrum of fine work….
Can’t wait to see Superior Donuts this year.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Tracy you need to give me a call. Steve Clark wants to get together and play dodgeball. Congratulations.
April 8th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
To all of our friends who have written in with their congratulations to Tracy and theater on Tracy being awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, our many thanks. All of us at Steppenwolf feel so fortunate to be a part of the Chicago theater community. Thank you for your kind wishes.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:51 am
On a selfish note, I am very happy to have been part of the audience for this historically theatrical event and am beyond congratulatory to Mr. Letts for creating a play for the ages! I know I felt part of something great happening, as the actors strutted their stuff! Wonderful! Simply, wonderful!
April 9th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Congrats all around! I have been seeing shows in NYC since I was 5, and I don’t exaggerate when I say that A:OC is, hands down, my favorite theatre experience to date. I didn’t want it to end! Thank you Tracy, Anna, and the whole Steppenwolf crew for renewing my faith in the power of live theatre.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Just saw the play tonight in NYC. I live in Jersey and unfortunately can’t afford to fly out to chicago to see steppenwolf productions so I love when one trnsfers here!
Man that pulitzer was well deserved, Tracy you are a great voice!
I hope your new one comes here eventually!