Kara Young has solidified her place as one of Broadway’s brightest stars, earning widespread acclaim for her dynamic performances and making history at the 2025 Tony Awards. While Young did not perform in Death Becomes Her, her remarkable work in Purpose and other productions has sparked significant buzz in the theater world. This blog post dives into Kara Young’s recent achievements, her historic Tony Awards run, and why she’s a name to watch in 2025.
Kara Young’s Historic Tony Awards Journey
Kara Young made headlines at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, held on June 8, 2025, at Radio City Music Hall, by becoming the first Black actress to win Tony Awards in consecutive years. She took home the 2025 Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for her portrayal of Aziza Houston in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Purpose, a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama directed by Phylicia Rashad. This followed her 2024 win for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins in Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch. Young’s back-to-back victories mark a milestone in Broadway history, showcasing her versatility and commanding presence on stage.
Young also set a record as the first Black performer to earn Tony nominations in four consecutive years (2022–2025). Her nominations include:
- 2022: Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage, playing Letitia, a formerly incarcerated single mother.
- 2023: Cost of Living by Martyna Majok, as Jess, a caregiver to a man with cerebral palsy.
- 2024: Purlie Victorious by Ossie Davis, where she won for her vibrant Lutiebelle.
- 2025: Purpose by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, where she won again for her role as Aziza, a queer social worker navigating a complex family dynamic.
This unprecedented streak aligns her with theater legend Laurie Metcalf, the only other performer to achieve four consecutive Tony nominations. Young’s ability to bring depth to diverse characters has cemented her as a “legend-in-the-making,” as described by Jacobs-Jenkins.
Clarifying the Death Becomes Her Connection
Despite the buzz around Death Becomes Her, a campy musical adaptation of the 1992 film that earned 10 nominations at the 2025 Tony Awards, Kara Young was not part of its cast. The musical, starring Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard, was a standout contender for Best Musical, alongside Buena Vista Social Club and Maybe Happy Ending, the latter taking home the top prize. Death Becomes Her also saw nominations for its leading actresses, Hilty and Simard, and won a Tony for Best Costume Design of a Musical for Paul Tazewell.
Young’s Tony win for Purpose coincided with the high-profile nominations for Death Becomes Her, which may have led to some confusion. Instead, Young’s 2025 recognition stems from her work in Purpose, a play that explores the complexities of a prominent Black family tied to the civil rights movement, which also won the Tony for Best Play.
Kara Young’s Role in Purpose
In Purpose, Young plays Aziza Houston, a queer social worker who accompanies her friend Naz (Jon Michael Hill) to his family’s home in Chicago, only to find herself entangled in a dramatic family dinner with the influential Jasper family. Critics praised Young’s “enormously vibrant and sympathetic” performance, noting her ability to convey both starstruck awe and sobering disillusionment. Her portrayal earned her not only the Tony but also critical acclaim for her “nervous charm” and relatability, as described by TheaterMania’s Zachary Stewart. Purpose, directed by Phylicia Rashad and running at the Helen Hayes Theatre through August 31, 2025, also received six Tony nominations, including Best Play.
Other Notable 2025 Performances: Eureka Day and Beyond
In addition to Purpose, Young appeared in Eureka Day at the Signature Theatre in 2024, a play by Jonathan Spector that tackles community dynamics and vaccine debates at a progressive elementary school. While Eureka Day earned a Tony nomination for Best Revival of a Play, Young was not individually nominated for this production. Her involvement in both Purpose and Eureka Day during the 2024–2025 season highlights her relentless work ethic and commitment to meaningful storytelling.
Young’s stage presence extends beyond Broadway. She performed in Table 17 at MCC Theater, earning additional nominations for her off-Broadway work. Her ability to juggle multiple high-caliber projects while delivering standout performances underscores her dedication to the craft.
Why Kara Young Stands Out
Born and raised in Harlem to Belizean immigrant parents, Young discovered her passion for theater at age five through a mime class at the 92nd Street Y. She honed her skills at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and joined the LAByrinth Theater Company in 2017. Her Broadway debut in 2021 with Clyde’s marked the start of her meteoric rise, and her performances consistently resonate with audiences and critics for their authenticity and emotional depth.
Young’s choice of roles reflects her commitment to stories with social and political weight. Whether portraying a former prisoner in Clyde’s, a caregiver in Cost of Living, or a civil rights family member in Purpose, she brings a “revolutionary radicalness” to her characters, celebrating the spectrum of Black womanhood. Her work with acclaimed playwrights like Lynn Nottage, Martyna Majok, and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins showcases her ability to elevate complex narratives.
The 2025 Tony Awards: A Competitive Field
The 2025 Tony Awards celebrated a vibrant Broadway season, with 42 productions, including 14 new musicals, 14 new plays, and 14 revivals. Maybe Happy Ending led with six wins, including Best Musical, while Purpose and Sunset Boulevard also claimed significant honors. Notable winners included Nicole Scherzinger for Best Actress in a Musical (Sunset Boulevard) and Sarah Snook for Best Actress in a Play (The Picture of Dorian Gray). Young’s historic win in the Featured Actress category stood out alongside competitors like Tala Ashe and Jessica Hecht, reinforcing her impact on the season.
What’s Next for Kara Young?
Young’s career shows no signs of slowing down. She is set to star in a revival of The Whoopi Monologues at Lincoln Center Theater in 2026 and will appear in the film adaptation of Aleshea Harris’ Is God Is. Her loyalty to the stage, as noted by Jacobs-Jenkins, makes her a vital force in theater, and her growing screen presence suggests a bright future in both mediums.
Conclusion
Kara Young’s historic Tony Awards achievements and her captivating performance in Purpose have solidified her as a trailblazer in Broadway’s 2024–2025 season. While not part of Death Becomes Her, her work continues to generate buzz for its emotional depth and cultural significance. As Young continues to break barriers and tell impactful stories, she remains a must-watch talent in the theater world.
