Colson Whitehead Tickets

Colson Whitehead is one of the most prominent writers of our time, having won multiple awards for his critically acclaimed books, including a Pulitzer Prize for his novel "The Underground Railroad." While much of his work has been in the world of literature, Whitehead has also had a deep connection to theater and the performing arts throughout his career.

In fact, Whitehead's first job out of college was as a receptionist for the American Place Theatre in New York City. He later went on to work there as a production assistant, helping to stage plays and coordinate performances. This early experience not only gave him a behind-the-scenes look at how theater works, but also a passion for storytelling in all its forms.

Whitehead’s love for theater can be seen in much of his work. His debut novel, “The Intuitionist,” tells the story of an elevator inspector in a world where the profession is dominated by two competing schools of thought. The book uses the language and structure of classic detective novels to explore issues of race and power.

Similarly, his novel "Sag Harbor" follows a group of teenagers through a summer in the titular Long Island town in 1985. Through their experiences with first love, family drama, and growing up, Whitehead captures the essence of a specific time and place while also touching on broader themes of identity and belonging. Like a good play, "Sag Harbor" is both character-driven and rich in detail, immersing readers in the world of its vividly drawn characters.

Whitehead has also written for the stage himself, including co-writing the book for the Broadway musical adaptation of "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie." His screenplay for the film adaptation of "The Underground Railroad," set to be directed by Barry Jenkins, shows his continued interest in exploring issues of justice and freedom through different mediums.

Through his writing and his work in theater, Colson Whitehead has become one of our most powerful storytellers. Whether on the page or the stage, he is always searching for new ways to bring complex narratives to life and invite readers and audiences alike into new worlds.