Alana Arenas (center) works alongside other Northwestern notables in “Purpose” on Broadway, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Brandon Jacob-Jenkins and directed by the legendary star of television and stage Phylicia Rashad. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Alana Arenas, one of Northwestern’s newest theatre faculty members, has added a major milestone to her already impressive professional resume: Broadway actress.
Before landing on the Evanston campus two years ago, Arenas was already a familiar face on both stage and screen, including roles on NBC’s “Chicago P.D.” and “Chicago Med,” as well as a performance in the “The Bluest Eye” at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre.
“This is my Broadway debut,” Arenas told Northwestern Now. “Broadway carries such a legacy for American theater.”
Arenas is working alongside other Northwestern notables in “Purpose,” the newest play to hit the Great White Way. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist, Brandon Jacob-Jenkins and directed by the legendary star of television and stage Phylicia Rashad (“The Cosby Show” and “A Raisin in the Sun”), the play was commissioned by and premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre last spring. It opened on Broadway last month to critical acclaim. Arenas originated the role of “Morgan” in Chicago and reprises that character in the New York production.
Alongside Alana Arenas, Northwestern alum Harry Lennix plays Soloman “Sunny” Jasper, Arenas’ father-in-law and patriarch of the Jasper family. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
“Purpose” centers on the influential Jasper family — a cornerstone of Black American politics — as they grapple with long-buried family secrets. When the youngest son Nazareth is released from prison and returns home to Illinois with an uninvited friend in tow, tensions rise. The family is forced to confront its faith, legacy and complicated ties to Black radicalism.
“I’m always moved by stories that seem to uncover a universal truth in people wanting to be ‘good,’” Arenas said when asked what makes this story special. “This play offers us an unflinching view of people aggressively pursuing desired outcomes with relatable motives. We don’t always agree with the tactics, but we can relate to the motives.”
Northwestern has a rich history of representation on Broadway, both on stage and behind the curtain, and “Purpose” is no exception. At least five Wildcats are involved in this newest Broadway hit.
Alongside Arenas, Northwestern alum Harry Lennix ’86 plays Soloman “Sunny” Jasper, Arenas’ father-in-law and patriarch of the Jasper family. Theatre department professor Todd Rosenthall designed the set for both Broadway and Chicago productions. Recent graduates, Grant Albright ’23 and Sotirios Livaditis MFA ’18 serve as script assistant and associate set designer, respectively.
“Purpose” is at the Hayes Theater in New York through early July.
