# 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.

## Summary

The play tells the story of Kenneth, a 30-something African-American suburban bookstore worker 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.

## 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. William Jackson Harper won an Obie Award for distinguished performance, and the play was nominated for Outstanding Play by the Lucille Lortel Awards. He also received nominations for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play and the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award.

### 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.

### 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.

### Chicago (2024)

The Goodman Theatre in Chicago announced the play's regional premiere as part of the 2024-25 season. 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.

### Baltimore, MD (2025)

Everyman Theatre, Baltimore announced their production will be directed by Reginald L. Douglas and run February 2-March 2, 2025.

### 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.

### Dallas, TX (2025)

Dallas Theater Center announced their production of Primary Trust will be directed by Sasha Maya Ada and run February 27th through March 23rd 2025.

## Original cast and characters

| Character | Off-Broadway (2023) | Signature (2024) | La Jolla (2024) | Goodman (2024) | Everyman (2025) |
| Kenneth | William Jackson Harper | Julius Thomas III | Caleb Eberhardt | Namir Smallwood | RJ Brown |
| Bert | Eric Berryman | Frank Britton | James Udom | Charles Andrew Gardner | Louis E. Davis |
| Corrina / Others | April Matthis | Yesenia Iglesias | Rebecca S'Manga Frank | Christiana Clark | Andreá Bellamore |
| Clay / Others | Jay O. Sanders | Craig Wallace | James Urbaniak | Fred Zimmerman | Jefferson A. Russell |

## Awards and nominations
### 2023 Off-Broadway production

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2024 | Pulitzer Prize | Pulitzer Prize for Drama | Pulitzer Prize for Drama | Won |
| 2024 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play | William Jackson Harper | Nominated |
| 2024 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance | William Jackson Harper | Nominated |
| 2024 | Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Play | Outstanding Play | Nominated |
| 2024 | Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play | William Jackson Harper | Nominated |
| 2024 | Obie Awards | Performance | William Jackson Harper | Won |
| 2024 | Obie Awards | Sustained Achievement in Design | Mikaal Sulaiman | Won |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play | Won |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | William Jackson Harper | Won |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | April Matthis | Nominated |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Jay O. Sanders | Won |
| 2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Knud Adams | Nominated |