Adam Rapp (born May 30 1968) is an American playwright, novelist, screenwriter, and director. He has written numerous plays that have been produced Off‑Broadway and regionally, and he is the author of several novels, most prominently The Cook, the Rhythm, and the Water (2005). Rapp’s work is noted for its gritty realism, dark humor, and exploration of marginalised characters.
Early life and education
Rapp was born in New York City. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the State University of New York at Purchase and later received a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama.
Career
Theatre
Rapp’s plays have been staged at venues including the Public Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Notable works include:
- The Good Person of Szechwan (adaptation, 2008)
- The Stolen Main (2003)
- Luna (2005)
He served as the artistic director of New York Stage and Film’s YoungBlood program, a development initiative for emerging playwrights, and has taught playwriting at Columbia University’s School of the Arts.
Novels
Rapp’s first novel, The Yellow Cadillac (2001), received critical attention for its raw depiction of Chicago’s underclass. His second novel, The Cook, the Rhythm, and the Water (2005), won the California Book Award for First Fiction and was praised for its lyrical style and vivid characterization.
Screenwriting
Rapp has written screenplays for independent films, including the feature The Treatment (1999) and the 2011 drama Somewhere In... (co‑writer). He also contributed to the television series The New Normal (2012) as a writer and consultant.
Awards and honors
- Guggenheim Fellowship (2008) for creative arts – theatre
- Jer‑ome Fellowship (1999)
- Kesselring Prize (2003)
- California Book Award, First Fiction (2005) for The Cook, the Rhythm, and the Water
Teaching and mentorship
In addition to his work at New York Stage and Film, Rapp has been a visiting artist and lecturer at institutions such as Yale School of Drama, the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and the Columbia University School of the Arts, where he mentors emerging writers.
Personal life
Rapp resides in Los Angeles, California, where he continues to write for theater, film, and prose. His work remains influential for its unapologetic examination of social outcasts and its blend of stark realism with darkly comic moments.