David Henry Hwang

Center Theatre Group celebrates 50 Years Featuring Phylicia Rashad in HEAD OF PASSES, World Premieres by David Henry Hwang and Rajiv Joseph and More in 2017-2018 season

David Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia Chang

Congratulations to Tony Award®-winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, who has been elected the Chair of the American Theatre Wing. Having joined the board of the American Theatre Wing in 2009, Mr. Hwang will succeed current Chair costume designer William Ivey Long, who concludes his four-year term this year (the maximum number of consecutive years permitted). Mr. Long will maintain an active role in the Wing as he takes on the responsibilities as Immediate Past Chair.

Mr. Hwang will serve as Chair of the Wing’s Board of Directors, and will be joined by Co-Vice Chairs Natasha Katz, Marva Smalls, and Pamela Zilly; Treasurer James Higgins; Secretary Jane Fearer Safer; and Immediate Past Chair William Ivey Long. The Wing’s President and CEO Heather Hitchens recently completed her fifth full year in that role.

“I am honored to serve the American Theatre Wing as it celebrates a century advancing excellence,” said Mr. Hwang. “Through its wide range of programs and activities, the Wing supports the vitality and diversity of theatre in our nation. I will do my best to help build on this iconic legacy.”

David Henry Hwang at home in his office in Ft. Greene. Photo by Lia Chang

David Henry Hwang in his office at home in Ft. Greene. Photo by Lia Chang

David Henry Hwang, 2015 ISPA Distinguished Artist Award recipient and his wife Kathryn Layng at the 2015 ISPA Congress Awards Dinner at Guastavino’s in New York on January 14, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

David Henry Hwang is an American dramatist whose work includes the plays M. Butterfly, Chinglish, Yellow Face, Kung Fu, and Golden Child, as well as the Broadway musicals Aida (co-author), Flower Drum Song (2002 revival), and Disney’s Tarzan. America’s most-produced living opera librettist, he has written four works with composer Philip Glass, including 1000 Airplanes on the Roof. In September, the San Francisco Opera will present the World Premiere of Mr. Hwang and Bright Sheng’s Dream of The Red Chamber, helmed by Stan Lai. Mr. Hwang has won a Tony Award and three OBIE awards, and he has twice been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

His screenplays include Possession (co-writer), Golden Gate, and M. Butterfly. He is a writer/producer for the TV series The Affair, and he is currently developing an original series, Shanghai. Hwang is a recipient of the 2011 PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award as a Grand Master of American Theater, the 2012 William Inge Award for Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre, the 2012 Asia Society Cultural Achievement Award, the 2012 China Institute Blue Cloud Award, the 2012 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award, the 2014 Doris Duke Artist Award, the 2015 ISPA Distinguished Artist Award, and was recently named a Ford Foundation “Art of Change” Fellow.

Bruce Lee’s widow, Linda Lee Cadwell, David Henry Hwang and Bruce’s daughter, Shannon Lee at the opening night party of ‘Kung Fu’ at Signature Theatre in New York on Februrary 24, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Hwang was the 2012-14 Residency One Playwright at New York’s Signature Theatre, which produced a season of his plays, including the premiere of his newest work, Kung Fu.

Photos: Backstage and Opening Night of Signature’s World Premiere of David Henry Hwang’s Kung Fu
Signature’s Production Photos of David Henry Hwang’s Kung Fu; Opens February 24, 2014

He attended Stanford University and Yale Drama School and was recently the Residency One Playwright at New York’s Signature Theatre. Mr. Hwang holds honorary degrees from Columbia College, Chicago, Dr. of Letters, 1998; American Conservatory Theatre, MFA Acting, 2000; LeHigh University, Dr. of Letters, 2011; USC, Dr. of Literature, 2013; SUNY Purchase College, Dr. of Fine Arts, 2015; and received a Dr. of Letters from Williams College earlier this month. He directs Columbia University’s School of the Arts M.F.A. program in playwriting.

President Falk (center in purple and black robe) with honorary degree recipients Sarah Bolton, Eric Carle, Bryan Stevenson, Frank Deford, Elizabeth Kolbert, David Henry Hwang, Carrie Hessler-Radelet and Leehom Wang at the Williams College 227th Commencement Exercise on June 5, 2016. Photo courtesy of Williams College/Facebook

David Henry Hwang, Leehom Wang, Bryan Stevenson, Elizabeth Kolbert, Sarah Bolton, Eric Carle, Frank Deford, Carrie Hessler-Radelet Receive Honorary Degrees from Williams College

San Francisco Opera to Present World Premiere of Bright Sheng and David Henry Hwang’s ‘Dream of The Red Chamber’, helmed by Stan Lai, Sept. 10 -29

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Presents 2018 World Premiere of ‘An American Soldier’ by David Henry Hwang and Huang Ruo

Tony Award winning playwright David Henry Hwang’s Commencement Speech at SUNY Purchase

George Takei and David Henry Hwang in conversation at The Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University on December 7, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

George Takei and David Henry Hwang in conversation at The Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University in New York on December 7, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang and George Takei talk about Broadway’s Allegiance at The Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University

David Henry Hwang, George Takei and his husband Brad Takei at The Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University in New York on December 7, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

David Henry Hwang, Michael A. Steinberg, Annie Baker and Rajiv Joseph at the 6th Annual Steinberg “Mimi” Playwright Awards at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center Theater in New York on November 18, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

Photos: David Henry Hwang, Annie Baker and Rajiv Joseph honored at Sixth Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards