Tarell Alvin McCraney

Tarell Alvin McCraney Bio

Tarell Alvin McCraney (born October 17, 1980) is an American playwright and screenwriter best known for co-writing the 2016 film Moonlight, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. His work spans theater, film, and television, with notable credits including High Flying Bird (2019) and the television series David Makes Man (2019). McCraney serves as the chair of playwriting at the Yale School of Drama and is a longtime member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble. In 2023 he was appointed artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, beginning with the 2024-25 season.

Early Life and Background

Tarell Alvin McCraney was born in Liberty City, Florida on October 17, 1980. As a teenager, he attended the New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida, where his passion for theater began to take shape. During this time, he was also a member of an improv troupe directed by Teo Castellanos, which provided him with early performance experience and exposure to the craft of storytelling through theater.

His artistic talents were recognized early when he was awarded an honorable mention by the National YoungArts Foundation in 1999 for theater. This recognition set the stage for his formal training in the arts, leading him to pursue higher education in acting and playwriting at prestigious institutions.

Path to Playwright

McCraney matriculated into The Theatre School at DePaul University, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. His commitment to the craft led him to further his studies at the Yale School of Drama, where he graduated from the playwriting program in May 2007. Upon graduating, he received the Cole Porter Playwriting Award, recognizing his emerging talent as a playwright. He also holds an honorary degree from Warwick University.

As an actor, McCraney collaborated with notable directors including Tina Landau of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, David Cromer, and B. J. Jones. He developed a particularly significant working relationship with Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne of the Bouffes du Nord in Paris, further expanding his artistic perspective and theatrical knowledge.

Tarell Alvin McCraney Career

Early Career (2007–2015)

Following his graduation from Yale, McCraney began building his reputation in the theater world. From 2008 to 2010, he served as the RSC/Warwick International Playwright in Residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company, a prestigious position that allowed him to develop his craft within one of the world’s most renowned theater institutions. In April 2010, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming the 43rd member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble, one of Chicago’s most acclaimed theater companies.

During his time at Yale, McCraney wrote the Brother/Sister trilogy of plays, which are set in the Louisiana projects and explore Yoruba mythology. The triptych includes In the Red and Brown Water, The Brothers Size, and Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet. These plays have been widely produced and cited as influential works in contemporary American theater. McCraney also co-wrote The Breach in 2006 with Catherine Filloux and Joe Sutton, a play about Hurricane Katrina that premiered in New Orleans in August 2007.

Breakthrough (2016–Present)

McCraney’s career reached new heights with the release of Moonlight in 2016. Co-written with director Barry Jenkins, the film was based on McCraney’s earlier semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. The film follows a young Black man through his childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood as he grapples with his identity and sexuality in Miami. Moonlight received widespread critical acclaim and earned McCraney and Jenkins the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2017 Oscars.

Following the success of Moonlight, McCraney continued to expand his portfolio across different media. In 2019, he wrote the screenplay for High Flying Bird, a sports drama directed by Steven Soderbergh and released by Netflix. The same year, he wrote and served as executive producer on David Makes Man, an original scripted television series for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network that ran for two seasons. In July 2017, McCraney was appointed chair of playwriting at the Yale School of Drama.

Notable Works and Milestones

Among his theater achievements, McCraney’s play Choir Boy premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2012 before its American premiere the following year at the Manhattan Theatre Club. The play follows a young man named Pharus on his journey to becoming the best choir leader at his preparatory school. The 2019 Broadway production received four Tony Award nominations, including Best Play, and won the Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Play. McCraney also adapted Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Young Shakespeare program in 2013 and co-wrote Ms. Blakk for President with director Tina Landau, a play first performed by Steppenwolf in 2019. In September 2017, Walt Disney Studios acquired his screenplay Cyrano the Moor, a musical adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac and Othello.

Tarell Alvin McCraney Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Tarell Alvin McCraney has received numerous accolades recognizing his contributions to theater and film. His work on Choir Boy earned four Tony Award nominations in 2019, including Best Play.

Tarell Alvin McCraney Awards Won

McCraney has been honored with several prestigious awards throughout his career, reflecting his significant impact on American theater and cinema.

Tarell Alvin McCraney Family

Specific details about McCraney’s family members are not extensively available in public sources.

Personal Life

McCraney is openly gay. In 2023, he was appointed artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, with his tenure beginning with the 2024-25 season. He has been recognized as a significant voice in contemporary American theater, with his semi-autobiographical work often exploring themes of identity, community, and personal discovery. His mentorship and educational roles at institutions like Yale School of Drama have helped shape the next generation of playwrights.