Tonys: Sarah Paulson on the Truth-Teller Behind the Pulitzer-Winning Play ‘Purpose’

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Last April, on an exceptionally warm evening, I strolled along the aisle of the historic Helen Hayes Theater, located on 44th Street, whose backstage was familiar to me but whose orchestra section I wasn’t well-acquainted with. Taking my seat, I clutched a Playbill that proudly displayed the title “Purpose.” As the lights dimmed, I eagerly waited for the show to begin.

Performing Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ plays on stage and observing them unfold from the audience perspective can evoke a similar sensation – it’s as if you’re stepping into and witnessing the playwright’s unique universe.

Or, more casually:

When you act in or watch Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ plays, it’s like diving into his distinctive world – a feeling that’s hard to beat!

Branden skillfully captures the nuances of emotion and the unsaid. He has a knack for immersing you in a family situation that feels both familiar and intimidating. Whether you’re prepared for it or not, truths will be revealed – you might choke on your laughter – and the ground beneath you will be seared.

However, more strikingly, you will find reflections of yourself, your family members like your cousin, mom, dad, siblings, in all their unpolished human honesty. Branden’s writing won’t shy away from revealing aspects about you that you might prefer to keep hidden. Instead, he challenges you to embrace it. The artist doesn’t aim to win your favor – quite the contrary, the artist invites you to open up and observe.

In the words of James Baldwin, an artist’s role mirrors that of a lover: if I care for you, it’s my duty to help you see what you’re not aware of. Branden exemplifies this idea perfectly. There are only a handful of truths I hold steadfast in life. Among them are the belief that we don’t deserve our canine companions, the preference for Oreo ice cream over strawberry, and the conviction that Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is the playwright of our era.

I’ve internalized this deeply. For nearly two years from 2023 to the end of 2024, I delved deep into a world he crafted, an experience that ranks among the most artistically enriching of my life. After starting my acting journey on stage, I moved towards the glitz and opportunities in film and television, finding myself residing in Los Angeles following almost two decades in New York City. Occasionally, plays were offered to me throughout the years, but none could lure me back east. The demanding schedule of an eight-show week, regular vocal care, living a life akin to a monk’s, meant that for me to commit, the script had to resonate deeply within me. A decade passed, and nothing managed to make a lasting impression; thus, I remained where I was.

PING.

Sept. 10th, 2021

I glanced at my phone, where an email from my agent awaited. The subject read simply: “Appropriate.” As I scrolled through the message, my heart skipped a beat – a play to be directed by Lila Neugebauer and penned by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins was coming up! This was a chance to work with a contemporary writer and a director I’ve long admired…

But. I live in LA.

I have three dogs.

I’m old, and I’m tired.

I contemplated giving it a read. It might not resonate with you, it might not be your cup of tea, but who knows? It could turn out to be the most remarkable piece you’ve ever encountered!

I’m not trying to exaggerate, but the truth is undeniable: reading that play transformed my life. When I had the chance, I eagerly accepted it, despite some bumps in the road. Finally, two years later, I was in New York starting rehearsals in the autumn of 2023. The thought of any other actress delivering these lines made me so enraged, a feeling that might be compared to nuclear fury, and perhaps it’s best if I stop there.

It’s been a full ten years since I last stepped into a rehearsal room and performed a play written by a living author, with perhaps two exceptions throughout my career. Working on a contemporary script presents both advantages and challenges. When the writer isn’t there to clarify their original ideas, you can relish in the freedom to interpret the work as you see fit, yet at the same time, you may feel constrained by your own doubts about whether your performance aligns with the playwright’s vision. To put it simply, I would have feared that Tennessee Williams himself might revoke my acting license if he had seen my portrayal of Laura Wingfield.

On the first day of our rehearsals for the play “Appropriate“, I must admit I was quite anxious. I had familiarized myself with the script, I felt it deserved a place among the greatest American plays, and there he was, the author himself, seated just opposite me. However, as our rehearsal process unfolded, it became apparent that Branden wasn’t just an observer; he was more like a collaborator, a partner. He invested as much effort into refining his own work as he did in helping us understand it. Branden was deeply immersed with us. Throughout our process, Branden served as my beacon, leading me safely to shore, insightful, relentless, tireless in his pursuit of authenticity.

Spending time with him while working on his play unveiled something crucial for our societal existence. In a dimly lit theater, surrounded by strangers, there’s an almost spiritual atmosphere. The depth of shared emotions, despite life’s isolation, in this sanctified space, generates a profound sense of unity. Every theater-goer yearns for something, seeks something more. Both the artist and the audience are reaching out, striving for the same thing – to be seen, to be understood.

On that hallowed stage, under the gentle April twilight, I found myself once more, the place where I brought Branden’s words to life, where I was lifted by their unconquerable spirit night after night. Now, a wave of elation washed over me, miraculous in its return – there it was again! His fiery essence, his unstoppable radiance. A creator’s purpose is kindled by fire. When the haze lifts, all that remains are embers. Everything has been revealed, and only the indestructible endures.

The truth.

Sarah Paulson is an Emmy- and Tony-winning actress.

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2025-06-03 18:25