Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 16, 2026

Primary Trust

Primary Trust is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright Eboni Booth. The production premiered Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre in 2023 and starred William Jackson Harper who received the Obie Award. The play was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2024 and was one of the most-produced plays in the U.S. in 2025-2026.

Last revised
Jul 16, 2026
Read time
≈ 5 min
Length
1,116 w
Citations
27
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Primary Trust
Original languageEnglish
Written byEboni Booth
GenreDrama
SettingCranberry Lake, New York
1990s
Premiere
DateMay 4, 2023
PlaceLaura Pels Theatre

Primary Trust is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright Eboni Booth. The production premiered Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre in 2023 and starred William Jackson Harper who received the Obie Award. The play was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2024 and was one of the most-produced plays in the U.S. in 2025-2026.1

Summary

The play tells the story of Kenneth, a 30-something African-American suburban bookstore worker in a fictional suburb of Rochester, New York with an imaginary friend who embarks on a journey of self-discovery. After being laid off from his long-time job, he considers applying for a new one at the Primary Trust Bank.23

Production history

Off-Broadway (2023)

The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre, produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company, with support from The Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater and the Edgerton Foundation. The production was directed by Knud Adams.4 William Jackson Harper won an Obie Award for distinguished performance, and the play was nominated for Outstanding Play by the Lucille Lortel Awards.567 He also received nominations for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play and the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award.89

Signature Theatre (2024)

The play received its regional premiere at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, running from Sept 10-Oct 20, 2024 in the ARK Theatre, and directed by Taylor Reynolds.

Barrington Stage Company (2024)

The closing play of the season at Barrington Stage Company, the play ran from Sept 18–Oct 13, 2024 at the St. Germain Stage in Pittsfield, MA.

La Jolla Playhouse (2024)

The play premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, as a West Coast premiere, with a run of Sept 24-Oct 20, 2024, again directed by Knud Adams.10

Chicago (2024)

The Goodman Theatre in Chicago announced the play's regional premiere as part of the 2024-25 season.11 It ran from October 5 to November 3, 2024.

Seattle (2024)

The play ran at the Seattle Repertory Theatre from October 24 to November 27, 2024. It was directed by Kaytlin McIntyre.12

Cincinnati, OH (2025)

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's production of Primary Trust, co-produced with McCarter Theatre Center, was directed by Timothy Douglas and ran February 1–23, 2025.13

Baltimore, MD (2025)

Everyman Theatre, Baltimore announced their production will be directed by Reginald L. Douglas and run February 2-March 2, 2025.14

Vancouver, Canada (2025)

The Arts Club Theatre Company announced their production of Primary Trust will be directed by Ashlie Corcoran, and run February 6–March 2, 2025.15

Houston, Texas (2025)

Alley Theatre announced their production of Primary Trust will be directed by Niegel Smith, and run May 2-May 25, 2025.16

Dallas, TX (2025)

Dallas Theater Center announced their production of Primary Trust will be directed by Sasha Maya Ada and run February 27 through March 23, 2025.17

Burlington, VT (2025)

Vermont Stage Company's production of Primary Trust was directed Jammie Patton and ran March 19-April 6, 2025.18

Princeton, NJ (2025)

McCarter Theatre Center's production of Primary Trust, co-produced by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, was directed by Timothy Douglas and ran May 8–25, 2025.19

Boston, MA (2025)

SpeakEasy Stage Company's production of Primary Trust was directed by Dawn M. Simmons and ran September 12-October 11, 2025.20

Los Angeles, CA (2026)

Center Theatre Group's production of Primary Trust was directed again by Knud Adams and ran May 20-June 28, 2026, at the Mark Taper Forum. 21

Original cast and characters

Character Off-Broadway (2023) Signature (2024) La Jolla (2024) Goodman (2024) Everyman (2025) Alley Theatre (2025) Mark Taper Forum (2026)
Kenneth William Jackson Harper Julius Thomas III Caleb Eberhardt Namir Smallwood RJ Brown Stanley Andrew Jackson Petey McGee
Bert Eric Berryman Frank Britton James Udom Charles Andrew Gardner Louis E. Davis David Rainey Ugo Chukwu
Corrina / Others April Matthis Yesenia Iglesias Rebecca S'Manga Frank Christiana Clark Andreá Bellamore Michelle Elaine Rebecca S'Manga Frank
Clay / Others Jay O. Sanders Craig Wallace James Urbaniak Fred Zimmerman Jefferson A. Russell Chris Hutchison James Urbankiak

Awards and nominations

2023 Off-Broadway production

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2024
 Pulitzer Prize Pulitzer Prize for Drama Won 22
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play William Jackson Harper Nominated 23
Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Nominated 24
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Play Nominated 25
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play William Jackson Harper Nominated
Obie Awards Performance Won 26
Sustained Achievement in Design Mikaal Sulaiman Won
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play Won 27
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play William Jackson Harper Won
Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play April Matthis Nominated
Jay O. Sanders Won
Outstanding Direction of a Play Knud Adams Nominated
External links
References

References

  1. "The Top 10 Most-Produced Plays of the 2025-26 Season". American Theatre. September 18, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  2. New York Times Review - Primary Trust accessed 05/06/2024
  3. Best Theater of 2023 - The New York Times
  4. "Primary Trust - Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards". circle.tcg.org.
  5. Jacobs-Jenkins, Branden (April 17, 2024). "Eboni Booth on 'Primary Trust': Only Connect". AMERICAN THEATRE.
  6. "Eboni Booth's Primary Trust Opens Off-Broadway May 25 | Playbill".
  7. Off-Broadway Database Listing accessed 05/06/2024
  8. Sarah Paulson Wins Drama League Award; See the Full List of Winners|Playbill
  9. Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards With 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play|Playbill
  10. "Primary Trust". La Jolla Playhouse. November 19, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  11. "2024/2025 Season". Goodman Theatre. October 24, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  12. "Primary Trust". Seattle Rep. March 13, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  13. "PRIMARY TRUST". cin. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  14. "Everyman Theatre's 2024/2025 Season". Everyman Theatre. September 16, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  15. "PRIMARY TRUST, Granville Island Stage". Arts Club Theatre Company. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  16. Downing, Margaret. "Alley Theatre Announces its 2024-25 Season — Classy, Classic and Comic". Houston Press. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  17. "PRIMARY TRUST,Dallas Theater Center". Dallas Theater Center. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  18. "Primary Trust". Vermont Stage. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  19. "Primary Trust". McCarter. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  20. "Primary Trust". Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  21. "Primary Trust". Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  22. "Eboni Booth's 'Primary Trust' Wins 2024 Pulitzer Prize For Drama; Play Was Staged Off Broadway By Roundabout Last Summer". Deadline Hollywood. May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  23. "2024 Drama Desk Award nominations announced". New York Theatre Guide. April 29, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  24. "2024 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  25. "2024 Lucille Lortel Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  26. "Obie Awards 23". Obieawards. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  27. "Dead Outlaw Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved May 6, 2024.