Women’s History Month: Highlighting Playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes

Shakespeare Theatre Company is kicking off Women’s History Month with the impactful playwright, screenwriter, essayist, lyricist, and producer, Quiara Alegría Hudes. As a young artist, Hudes wrote and composed music as well as studied piano. As you can see, she does it all. Originally from Philadelphia, Hudes attended Yale University for her undergraduate degree, and then attended Brown University where she got her Master’s degree in Playwriting. Hudes has co-authored children’s books and written multiple screenplays, one of her most popular works being In The Heights, a flavorful musical which was performed Broadway, and premiered on screens in 2021. 

Raised by her Jewish father and Puerto Rican mother in West Philadelphia, Hudes’ works have earned her a HOLA (Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Playwriting. In The Heights was the recipient of multiple awards including two Drama Desk wins, a Grammy Award, and it was a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It also scored a Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical and a Tony award win for Best Musical in 2008. She currently holds a place in the New Dramatists Organization for playwrights. This esteemed club welcomes writers to participate in their seven-year program to strengthen their playwriting prowess and build their careers.  

Her other plays include Barrio Grrrrl!, The Good Peaches, Miss You Like Hell, Daphne’s Dive (currently playing at Signature Theatre until March 20), and The Elliot Trilogy (Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue; Water by the Spoonful; The Happiest Song Plays Last). Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2007 and she took home the Pulitzer in 2012 for Water by the Spoonful. Although many of her plays focus on the experiences of women, The Elliot Trilogy centers on a young, Puerto Rican Marine who returns home from Iraq and his exploration of his family’s history told through three generations of musicians, activists, and of course, soldiers.  

Hudes’ ingenuity brings about diverse perspectives and allows for the representation of a variety of characters. Her drive and commitment inspires female artists everywhere.