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Birth and Early Life
She grows up in a military family, moving frequently and living in places like Texas, California, Germany, and Kentucky. As a child, she develops a love for storytelling and language, influenced by both African American oral traditions and classical literature. -
Childhood
Raised in a military family, Parks spent part of her youth in West Germany, an experience that shaped her identity. -
High School Graduation
Graduated from The John Carroll School in Maryland. She was already writing poetry and short stories. -
College Graduation
Earned a B.A. in English and German Literature from Mount Holyoke College. She studied under James Baldwin, who encouraged her to write plays. -
Drama Studio London
Studied acting for a year in London, developing her understanding of theatre. -
Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom
Her Obie Award–winning play introduced African American identity and history through the use of poetic language. -
The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World
An experimental and poetic work that dives in Black identity and historical erasure. It's now considered one of her "foundational" plays. -
The America Play
She introduced a character known as “The Foundling Father,” obsessed with Abraham Lincoln. So essentially meditation on history and memories -
Venus
Won another Obie for this play about Saartjie Baartman, a South African woman exhibited in Europe in the 1800s. -
TopDog
Premiered on Broadway. A story of two brothers, it became her most famous work. -
Marriage to Paul Oscher
Suzan-Lori Parks married blues musician Paul Oscher, known for playing harmonica in "Muddy Waters" band. They divorced in 2010. -
Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Parks made history as the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer for Topdog/Underdog, an outstanding moment in American theatre. -
365 Days/365 Plays Project Launch
She wrote one play every day for a year. This nationwide performance project became a cultural event across the U.S. -
Marriage to Christian Konopka
Parks married Christian Konopka in 2017. They have one child together, and she’s spoken about how motherhood has added new wisdom to her storytelling and life perspective. -
White Noise Premiere
Suzan-Lori Parks play White Noise premiered at The Public Theater and later gained relevancy amid national conversations on race in 2020. The narrative centers on two interracial couples whose longstanding friendship is disrupted after one member, Leo who is a Black artist, is traumatized by a police encounter. In a provocative attempt to protect himself, Leo asks his white friend to “own” him for forty days. The play displays of systemic racism, privilege, and fear. -
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TIME 100 List - 2023
Parks is recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people for her contributions to literature and theatre. -
References
Suzan-Lori Parks | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Suzan-Lori-Parks
Parks, Suzan-Lori. Topdog/Underdog. Theatre Communications Group, 2001.
Parks, Suzan-Lori. 365 Days/365 Plays. Theatre Communications Group, 2006.
Suzan-Lori Parks Criticism: Introduction eNotes. https://www.enotes.com/topics/suzan-lori-parks/criticism/introduction -
Ongoing – Teaching and Mentoring
She continues to teach at institutions like NYU, sharing her wisdom with the next generation of upcoming playwrights. -
2025 – Legacy and Impact
Suzan-Lori Parks has defined what American theatre can be. As the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, she opened doors for underrepresented voices. Her storytelling and fearless exploration of race, identity, and history have influenced a generation of playwrights. Through her teaching, mentorship, and continued innovation, Parks remains a vital force in shaping the future of dramatic literature. Her legacy is one of courage, creativity, and cultural transformation.