| Purpose | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Branden Jacobs-Jenkins |
| Date premiered | 2024 |
| Place premiered | Steppenwolf Theatre Company |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | Chicago, U.S. Present-day |
Purpose is a stage play written by American playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The play is a family drama detailing the life of the fictional Jasper family. [1]
The fictional Jasper family, a prominent African-American family living in Chicago, reunite under the same roof under auspicious circumstances. Revelations are discovered as they attempt to define their value to each other and their identity within black culture and politics. [2]
| Character | Chicago | New York |
|---|---|---|
| - | 2024 | 2025 |
| Nazareth "Naz" Jasper | Jon Michael Hill | |
| Claudine Jasper | Tamara Tunie | LaTanya Richardson Jackson |
| Solomon "Sonny" Jasper | Harry Lennix / Cedric Young | |
| Morgan Jasper | Alana Arenas | |
| Solomon "Junior" Jasper | Glenn Davis | |
| Aziza Jasper | Ayanna Bria Bakari | Kara Young |
The play was commissioned by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and was workshopped in 2019 at the Colorado New Play Festival. After additional readings and workshops, the play premiered as part of Steppenwolf's 2023–2024 season March 14-April 28, directed by Phylicia Rashad. It was later announced the production would transfer to Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre as part of the 2024-2025 Broadway season, with producers David Stone, Debra Martin Chase, Marc Platt, LaChanze, Rashad Chambers, Aaron Glick and The Steppenwolf Theatre Company. While the production is not part of Second Stage Theatre Company's season, it is included in their subscription plan for members. [3] [4] [5] [6]