The Broadway Career of Kara Young

On June 16, 2024, the 77th Annual Tony Awards will be held at the David H. Koch Theater, celebrating the best and brightest of this year’s Broadway season! The nominees include those onstage and off, mainstays and newcomers alike. In celebration, Broadway’s Best Shows is highlighting some of the Broadway perennials recognized with Tony nods in this incredibly fruitful year.

This season, Kara Young is nominated for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for her performance in “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.” Here’s a breakdown of the Broadway roles that got her there:

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Clyde’s (2022)

Young’s Broadway career began with her breakout performance as Letitia in Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s. This performance earned her a Tony Award and Drama Desk nomination, as well as a Theatre World Award.

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Cost of Living (2023)

The following season, Young went on to portray the role of Jess in Cost of Living, earning her a second Tony Award and Drama Desk nomination. Young’s journey epitomizes the essence of a rising star. Critics lauded her ability to seamlessly transition between comedic and dramatic roles, captivating audiences with her authenticity and depth.

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Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch (2023)

For a third season in a row, she graced Broadway by portraying the role of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins in the acclaimed revival of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch. This role earned her her third Tony Award nomination, as well as Outer Critics Circle and Drama League nominations. She has already won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Play for Purlie Victorious. Young has made history for being the first Black performer nominated in three consecutive seasons in the same category, Best Featured Actress in a Play, at the Tony Awards. With each performance, she deftly navigates complex characters, leaving an indelible mark on the theater landscape. Young’s Broadway career serves as a testament to her passion for storytelling and her unwavering dedication to her craft, ensuring her place among the brightest talents of her generation.