A Look Back at Lynn Nottage Shaping Stories That Matter in American Theater

As actors, it’s easy to get caught up in auditions, roles, and the day-to-day work of performing, often without stepping back to consider the larger forces shaping the stories we’re asked to tell. Playwright Lynn Nottage operates on that larger scale. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the most influential voices in American theater, Lynn has built a body of work that challenges audiences while expanding what stories are seen and heard on Broadway and beyond. In this conversation, recorded in 2024, Lynn speaks candidly about the responsibility of storytelling, the discipline behind the writing process, and the long road to trusting a creative voice in an ever-evolving industry. From Ruined, which explores the lives of women during the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the Tony Award-winning musical MJ, Lynn discusses the balance between artistry, ethics, and collaboration in theater. What emerges is a clear and grounded perspective on what it means to create meaningful work—not for recognition, but with intention. For anyone working in the performing arts, whether onstage or behind the scenes, this conversation offers a deeper understanding of how stories are shaped, and why the ones that matter most are often the hardest to tell. Follow Lynn: Website / Instagram / IBDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices