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Tarell Alvin McCraney is an Academy Award-winning screenwriter, playwright, and producer, recognized for his profound contributions to theater, film, and television.
Under a multi-year deal, McCraney and Glenn Davis, along with their team at Chatham Grove, will develop and produce projects across various genres and formats for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.
McCraney is a member of the D Projects Theater Company in Miami, contributing to its artistic endeavors.
Tarell Alvin McCraney serves as the Artistic Director of Geffen Playhouse, where he is responsible for identifying, developing, and programming new works and re-envisioned classics, setting the strategic artistic course for its theaters.
McCraney was the International Writer-in-Residence for the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2009-2011 and is currently an associate at the Royal Shakespeare Company, London.
Tarell has collaborated on TV and film projects with Playtone, alongside HBO and Disney.
Tarell has collaborated on TV and film projects with HBO, alongside Playtone and Disney.
Tarell has collaborated on TV and film projects with Disney, alongside Playtone and HBO. Walt Disney Studios also acquired his screenplay 'Cyrano the Moor'.
Tarell Alvin McCraney was born on October 17, 1980, in Liberty City, Miami, Florida. He embarked on his artistic journey at the New World School of the Arts in Miami and further honed his craft by earning a BFA in acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. He continued his education at the Yale School of Drama, completing his MFA in playwriting in May 2007, where he was honored with the Cole Porter Playwriting Award. McCraney’s early career also included involvement with an improv troupe directed by Teo Castellanos, showcasing his foundational dedication to performance and narrative development.
McCraney has achieved significant milestones across various entertainment sectors. In theater, he gained acclaim for “The Brother/Sister Plays” trilogy, which explores Yoruba mythology within a Louisiana setting. His play “Choir Boy” premiered at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 2012 and later received four Tony Award nominations for its 2019 Broadway production, winning for Best Sound Design. His work has transitioned successfully to film, notably with “Moonlight” (2016), co-written with Barry Jenkins, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also penned the screenplay for Steven Soderbergh’s “High Flying Bird” (2019) and created the TV series “David Makes Man” for OWN. These projects underscore his versatility as a storyteller and his ability to resonate with diverse audiences.
Throughout his career, McCraney has held influential positions, including International Writer-in-Residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company (2008-2010) and becoming the 43rd member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble in 2010. In July 2017, he was appointed chair of playwriting at the Yale School of Drama, where he still teaches. Most recently, in 2023, McCraney was named Artistic Director of the Geffen Playhouse, a role in which he oversees new works and re-envisioned classics, further cementing his impact on the arts community. His career is marked by continuous recognition, including a MacArthur “Genius” Grant and a Windham-Campbell Literature Prize, highlighting his innovative contributions and artistic vision.
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