Award-winning Miami playwright behind ‘Moonlight’ named artistic director of LA theater

A hometown hero is taking on Los Angeles.

Tarell Alvin McCraney, the acclaimed Miami playwright behind the Academy Award-winning film “Moonlight,” was named the next artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse, a prominent nonprofit theater in Los Angeles, the organization announced Tuesday.

In the role, McCraney, 42, will program new and classic works, lead its artistic and production teams and set the artistic course for Geffen’s two stages, the Gil Cates Theater and the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater. Geffen boasts a partnership with UCLA, which is right across the street, and a $12 million annual budget.

The timing worked out, McCraney said. He had been interested in getting more involved in arts leadership and developing new works when he learned that the Geffen was looking for a new artistic director.

“I’ve always loved the Geffen’s size and its proximity to artists who are also multi-hyphenate, [who work in] film and television, and I got really excited about being able to engage those artists who are excited about new work,” he said. “As we had the conversation, it started to become apparent, I believe to both the Geffen and myself, that this might be a great time for us to work together, creating the next chapter of their legacy.”

McCraney is a proud third generation Miamian who grew up in Liberty City. He graduated from New World School of the Arts in 1999 and continued his studies at The Theatre School at DePaul University and the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.

For McCraney, the move from artist to arts leader wasn’t that big of a leap. He has been involved in education and administration for years, and was recently the co-chair of the playwriting program at the David Geffen School of Drama. He is also an associate at the Royal Shakespeare Company in London, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Writers Branch), an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre and a member of D-Projects, a Miami contemporary dance and theater company.

Since garnering international attention and acclaim, McCraney has remained active in supporting Miami’s arts and arts education landscape. He has taught at the University of Miami as a drama professor and lead an intensive arts program for Black female high school students at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Miami. In 2019, while visiting his alma mater, he encouraged New World students to find joy in what they do.

His work includes the award-winning “The Brother/Sister Plays” trilogy and the play “Choir Boy,” which has been performed in theaters across the country, including at the Geffen. Probably his best known work is the screenplay for the 2016 film “Moonlight,” which was co-written by the film’s director and fellow Miamian Barry Jenkins.

The film was based on McCraney’s autobiographical work “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue,” which was originally meant to be a play. “Moonlight,” filmed and set in Miami, follows a Black, gay boy in Liberty City from childhood to adulthood. It won a slew of prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay, best director and best picture.

McCraney was awarded a “genius” grant from the MacArthur Foundation in 2013, received a Tony Award nomination for “Choir Boy,” and won a Peabody Award for the television series “David Makes Man.” In 2014, “Choir Boy” made its west coast premiere at the Geffen’s Gil Cates Theater. In February 2020, he was part of the theater’s artist residency.

“Tarell has come full circle with the Geffen and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Geffen Playhouse executive director and CEO Gil Cates, Jr. in a statement. “First and foremost, he is an exceptional artist and storyteller, and a true visionary with extraordinary ideas for where we can go as a theater, as a home for artists and as part of the cultural landscape in Los Angeles.”

As artistic director, McCraney’s goals include strengthening the Geffen’s relationship with UCLA, supporting the institutions’ artists and making sure audience experiences are “as joyous as it always has been.” He also plans on writing his own new works.

Though he’s relocating to Los Angeles, McCraney said, “Miami will always be my spiritual home.” It’s bittersweet to leave, he said, but also exciting to start a new chapter.

“There are stories that only Miami artists can tell and I really hope that those writers and artists get a chance to do that in thrilling ways,” he said. “And I hope one day, the city will support them as fully as we support our athletes.”

This story was produced with financial support from The Pérez Family Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.