Lauren Yee
Latest News on Lauren Yee:
TheatreWorks Reveals Lineup For 2024-25 Season of World and Regional Premieres, Commissions, and More (Apr 16, 2024)
PlayGround Returns With BEST OF PLAYGROUND(CHICAGO) '24 April 29 (Apr 10, 2024)
Playhouse on Park, in Collaboration with Charter Oak Cultural Center, Will Host Hartford Jewish Playwriting Contest (Apr 5, 2024)
TheatreWorks Reveals Lineup For 2024-25 Season of World and Regional Premieres, Commissions, and More (Apr 16, 2024)
PlayGround Returns With BEST OF PLAYGROUND(CHICAGO) '24 April 29 (Apr 10, 2024)
Playhouse on Park, in Collaboration with Charter Oak Cultural Center, Will Host Hartford Jewish Playwriting Contest (Apr 5, 2024)
Lauren Yee BIO
Lauren Yee is a San Francisco-born playwright known for her unique style and fresh perspective on contemporary issues. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in theater studies and went on to receive her MFA in playwriting from UC San Diego.
Yee’s plays have been produced across the country, including in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including the Steinberg Award, the Horton Foote Prize, and the Kesselring Prize.
One of Yee’s most notable plays is “Cambodian Rock Band,” which premiered at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2018 before moving to New York City’s Signature Theatre. The play follows a young Cambodian-American woman as she uncovers her family’s dark history during the Khmer Rouge regime, all while exploring the vibrant music scene of 1970s Cambodia. The play features live performances of classic Cambodian rock songs and has been praised for its powerful storytelling and unique blend of drama and music.
Yee’s other notable plays include “The Great Leap,” which premiered at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in 2018 before moving to New York City’s Atlantic Theater Company. The play follows a Chinese-American basketball player as he travels to China to play in a tournament, all while confronting his complicated family history and the political tensions between the two countries. The play has been praised for its humor, heart, and nuanced exploration of identity and culture.
Yee has also written for television, including for the HBO series “Insecure” and the upcoming Apple TV+ series “Pachinko,” based on the bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee. She has also written for film, including the upcoming Netflix movie “The Tiger’s Apprentice,” based on the book series by Laurence Yep.
In addition to her writing, Yee is also an accomplished performer. She has appeared in productions of her own plays, including “The Great Leap” and “King of the Yees,” as well as in other productions in San Francisco and New York City.
Lauren Yee Photos
Lauren Yee Productions
Writing
Playwright
Playwright
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Lauren Yee Awards and Nominations
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2014 - John Gassner Award
Lauren Yee, The Hatmaker's Wife
Lauren Yee Videos
Video: Courtney Reed Is the New Sparkling Diamond of MOULIN ROUGE!
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - Sep 25, 2023
VIDEO: Arianna Afsar, Courtney Reed, David Henry Hwang, and More Take Part in La Jolla's #StopAsianHate Campaign
by Stephi Wild - May 25, 2021
Cast Recording of Signature Theatre's CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND to Be Released May 8
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2020
BWW TV: Director Chay Yew Discusses The Importance of CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 16, 2020
STAGE TUBE: Playwright Lauren Yee Visits Kansas City for DGF's Traveling Masters Program
by Stage Tube - Aug 2, 2016
BWW TV: First Look at Highlights of World Premiere of Victory Gardens Theater's SAMSARA
by TV - Press Previews - Feb 13, 2015
STAGE TUBE: Trailer for Playwrights Realm's THE HATMAKER'S WIFE, Now Playing
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 3, 2013
BWW TV Exclusive: Sneak Peek of Playwrights Realm's THE HATMAKER'S WIFE
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 15, 2013
Lauren Yee News
TheatreWorks Reveals Lineup For 2024-25 Season of World and Regional Premieres, Commissions, and More
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has announced its 54th season—a lineup of works to be presented October 2024 through July 2025. Learn more about the full lineup here!
PlayGround Returns With BEST OF PLAYGROUND(CHICAGO) '24 April 29
Discover the selected plays and playwrights for PlayGround's annual ten-minute play fest, BEST OF PLAYGROUND(CHICAGO) ’24.
Playhouse on Park, in Collaboration with Charter Oak Cultural Center, Will Host Hartford Jewish Playwriting Contest
In collaboration with Charter Oak Cultural Center and the Jewish Plays Project, Playhouse on Park is hosting the 8th Annual Hartford Jewish Playwriting Contest.
Charter Oak Cultural Center and Playhouse on Park Join to Host Jewish Playwriting Contest 2024
In collaboration with Charter Oak Cultural Center and the Jewish Plays Project, Playhouse on Park is hosting the 8th Annual Hartford Jewish Playwriting Contest.
BEST OF PLAYGROUND(NY) '24 Returns This Month
Discover the selected plays and playwrights for the annual ten-minute play fest, BEST OF PLAYGROUND(NY) ’24. Celebrating new and returning talent like Claire Abramovitz, Anthony Anello, Howard Ho, Lyra Nalan, Bailey Jordan Garcia, and Vicky Pham. Live performances on April 22 at 7pm ET.
Interview: Francis Jue of TIGER STYLE! at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Hits His Stride by Being True to Himself
BroadwayWorld talks to Obie Award-winning actor Francis Jue about returning to TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, where he has appeared so often in the last 35 years, in Mike Lew's trenchant comedy, 'Tiger Style!'
UNRIVALED Comes to the Seattle Public Theater in May
Combining 11th Century Japanese intrigue with 21st Century sass, SIS Productions and Seattle Public Theater will team up to present the Pacific Northwest premiere of Unrivaled, a tale of two best frenemies, written by Rosie Narasaki, directed by Mimi Katano.
Review: CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND at TheatreSquared
What did our critic think of CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND at TheatreSquared?
A STRANGE LOOP & More Lead San Francisco / Bay Area's April 2024 Top Theatre Shows
San Francisco / Bay Area is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for April 2024 include A Strange Loop and more!
Cast Announced for PlayGround's 28th Festival of New Works Premieres From Anne Yumi Kobori and Jacob Marx Rice
Meet the cast for PlayGround's 28th Festival of New Works Premieres featuring APERTURES OF LOVE IN TIMES OF WAR and A THOUSAND NATURAL SHOCKS.
PlayGround-LA Presents Season 12 BEST OF PLAYGROUND-LA
PlayGround-LA has announced the selected plays and playwrights for its twelfth annual ten-minute play festival, BEST OF PLAYGROUND-LA ’24, showcasing works by emerging talents.
Tony Shalhoub, BD Wong & More to Star in WHAT BECAME OF US World Premiere
Atlantic Theater Company has revealed the initial casting for the world premiere of What Became of Us, written by Shayan Lotfi. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Musical Theatre Factory to Honor John-Michael Lyles & More 10th Anniversary Gala
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of MUSICAL THEATRE FACTORY at The Factory Function. Learn more about the event and see how to purchase tickets.
PlayGround Celebrates BEST OF PLAYGROUND(SF) '24 This May
Discover the lineup for the BEST OF PLAYGROUND(SF) '24, part of PlayGround's 30th season.
THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, PRIMARY TRUST & More Set for Seattle Rep 24/25 Season
Seattle Rep has revealed its 2024/25 Season, the first planned by its new Artistic Director Dámaso Rodríguez, who joined the organization in 2023.
WAITRESS, FAT HAM & More Set for San Francisco Playhouse 2024/25 Season
San Francisco Playhouse has revealed its 22nd season, to be presented September 2024 to September 2025. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: THE GREAT LEAP at Center Repertory Company
What did our critic think of THE GREAT LEAP at Center Repertory Company? Center Rep tackles Playwright Lauren Yee’s basketball/cultural drama and with a well-crafted staging of her 2017 powerhouse The Great Leap. Renowned for deftly combining her San Francisco roots, Chinese culture and global politics, Yee puts it all together is this often humorous, yet emotionally stirring piece of theatre.
Finalists Announced For 2024 Steinberg�"ATCA New Play Award
Learn about the finalists for the 2024 Steinberg-ATCA New Play Award, announced by the American Theatre Critics Association.
Playwright Aleshea Harris Wins the 2023 Kesselring Prize for Playwriting
Explore the latest news from the National Arts Club regarding the Kesselring Prize. Stay updated on the details of the award and its significance in the world of Broadway.
Paige Evans to Step Down as Signature Theatre Artistic Director
Signature Theatre Artistic Director Paige Evans will step down in June, having led the company since 2016. Learn more about the transition.
Lauren Yee FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Lauren Yee written?
Lauren Yee has written 3 shows including Ching Chong Chinaman (Playwright), The Great Leap (Playwright), Cambodian Rock Band (Playwright).
What awards has Lauren Yee been nominated for?
Lauren Yee has been nominated for the John Gassner Award (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for her work on The Hatmaker's Wife.
Videos
