Date of Birth: May 10, 1963
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Biography
Suzan-Lori Parks is an acclaimed American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist known for her innovative and thought-provoking works. Born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Parks has established herself as one of the most influential contemporary playwrights in the United States. She is best known for her play “Topdog/Underdog,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2002, making her the first African-American woman to receive this prestigious award. Parks grew up in a military family, which meant frequent relocations during her childhood. She attended high school in Germany and later graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1985 with a degree in English and German literature. During her time at Mount Holyoke, she studied under acclaimed writer James Baldwin, who encouraged her to pursue a career in playwriting. Her body of work includes several acclaimed plays such as “In The Blood,” “The Red Letter Plays,” and “Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3),” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2015. In addition to her plays, Parks has written screenplays, novels, and even worked on television projects. Parks’s work often delves into themes of race, identity, and American history, pushing the boundaries of traditional narrative structures and exploring the complexities of the human experience. She has been a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including a MacArthur “Genius” Grant and a Guggenheim Fellowship.
5 Interesting Facts about Suzan-Lori Parks
1. Suzan-Lori Parks was the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
2. She was mentored by the renowned writer James Baldwin during her time at Mount Holyoke College.
3. Parks wrote a novel titled “Getting Mother’s Body,” which was published in 2003.
4. She has written screenplays for films such as “Girl 6” (1996), directed by Spike Lee.
5. Parks is also a musician and often incorporates music into her theatrical works.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Suzan-Lori Parks
1. “I think that the job of the artist is to remind people of what they have chosen to forget.”
2. “Theater is a place where we can come together as a community to explore the challenges and triumphs of our world.”
3. “Writing is a journey of discovery. You have to trust the process and let the story unfold.”
4. “I write because I believe that words have the power to change the world.”
5. “My goal is to create work that speaks to the human condition and ignites conversations about who we are and where we are headed.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
As of the latest available data, Suzan-Lori Parks’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Suzan-Lori Parks is married to blues musician Paul Oscher. The couple does not have any known children.
Relevant Links
1. [Suzan-Lori Parks – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzan-Lori_Parks
4. [Suzan-Lori Parks’s Official Website](http://www.suzanloriparks.com/
