The Best Modern American Plays of the Last Decade
American theatre continues to captivate audiences with its daring storytelling, dynamic characters, and profound explorations of contemporary issues. Over the past ten years, numerous plays have gained critical acclaim and prestigious awards, cementing their place in modern theatre history. Below, we highlight 20 exceptional American plays that have defined the last decade.
1. A Strange Loop (2019) by Michael R. Jackson
An audacious and groundbreaking musical exploring identity, self-doubt, and self-discovery through the eyes of a Black queer artist.
Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2020)
Discover more about A Strange Loop →
2. Fairview (2018) by Jackie Sibblies Drury
A provocative and innovative play that deconstructs the dynamics of race, privilege, and performance.
Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2019)
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3. The Hot Wing King (2020) by Katori Hall
A heartfelt and humorous story about community, family, and identity, set around a fiercely competitive cooking competition.
Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2021)
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4. Cost of Living (2016) by Martyna Majok
A deeply empathetic exploration of caregiving, disability, and human connection.
Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2018)
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5. Sweat (2015) by Lynn Nottage
A searing look at economic decline and fractured communities in America’s rust belt.
Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2017)
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6. Between Riverside and Crazy (2014) by Stephen Adly Guirgis
A dark comedy about gentrification, grief, and the complexities of urban life.
Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2015)
Discover more about Between Riverside and Crazy →
7. Indecent (2015) by Paula Vogel
A powerful drama exploring censorship, identity, and the resilience of art in the face of persecution.
Award: Tony Award Nominee for Best Play (2017)
Discover more about Indecent →
8. The Wolves (2016) by Sarah DeLappe
A raw and captivating portrait of a girls’ soccer team navigating adolescence, ambition, and camaraderie.
Award: Obie Award for Ensemble Performance (2017)
Discover more about The Wolves →
9. What the Constitution Means to Me (2017) by Heidi Schreck
A deeply personal and insightful exploration of America’s Constitution through the lens of gender and identity.
Award: Obie Award for Best New American Play (2019)
Discover more about What the Constitution Means to Me →
10. Slave Play (2018) by Jeremy O. Harris
A daring and controversial examination of race, power, and desire.
Award: Tony Award Nominee for Best Play (2021)
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11. Pass Over (2017) by Antoinette Nwandu
A visceral and poetic commentary on systemic racism and the cyclical nature of violence.
Award: Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play (2018)
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12. Heroes of the Fourth Turning (2019) by Will Arbery
A thought-provoking examination of faith, ideology, and generational conflict in America.
Award: Obie Award for Playwriting (2020)
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13. American Son (2018) by Christopher Demos-Brown
A tense and emotionally charged drama about race, law enforcement, and family.
Award: NAACP Theatre Award for Best Play (2019)
Discover more about American Son →
14. Eclipsed (2015) by Danai Gurira
A powerful and moving drama about the lives of women during Liberia’s civil war, highlighting resilience, survival, and sisterhood.
Award: Tony Award Nominee for Best Play (2016)
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15. The Old Man and the Pool (2022) by Mike Birbiglia
A comedic and heartfelt one-man show exploring mortality, health, and the universal challenges of aging.
Award: Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance (2023)
Discover more about The Old Man and the Pool →
16. The Minutes (2017) by Tracy Letts
A biting satire about small-town politics and the darker undercurrents of American history.
Award: Tony Award Nominee for Best Play (2022)
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17. Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (2019) by Alexis Scheer
A darkly comic and chilling tale of a group of teenage girls exploring power, rebellion, and grief.
Award: Off-Broadway Alliance Award Nominee for Best New Play (2020)
Discover more about Our Dear Dead Drug Lord →
18. Pipeline (2017) by Dominique Morisseau
A poignant drama about systemic inequities in education and their impact on Black youth.
Award: Obie Award for Playwriting (2018)
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19. Anna in the Tropics (2013) by Nilo Cruz
A lyrical drama set in a Florida cigar factory, exploring love, tradition, and cultural change.
Award: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (2014)
Discover more about Anna in the Tropics →
20. Clyde’s (2021) by Lynn Nottage
A humorous and heartwarming play about redemption and resilience set in a truck-stop sandwich shop.
Award: Tony Award Nominee for Best Play (2022)
Discover more about Clyde’s →