Onstage company
Documented collaborators
The Purists are a defining voice in contemporary theatre, blending hip-hop aesthetics with provocative storytelling. Premiering in 2019 at the Huntington Theatre in Boston under the direction of Billy Porter, the production earned the Elliot Norton Award for Best Production and the play itself secured the 2020 Elizabeth Osborn Award, signaling recognition from critics and peers alike. The show centers on a group gathered on a Queens stoop—Lamont, Mr Bugz, Gerry, and two young MCs, Val and Nancy—navigating questions of race, sexuality, and authenticity in hip-hop culture. The Purists’ work extends beyond a single stage, inviting audiences to reconsider city life, music, and identity through a candid, collaborative lens.