Martyna Majok (/ˈmaɪoʊk/ MY-ohk) is a Polish-born American[1][2] playwright who received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play Cost of Living.
As her work gained wider acclaim and recognition, Majok, who has a diverse writing style, debuted Cost of Living (2016), Queens (2018), and Sanctuary City (2021).
[7] At age 17, Majok was inspired by Sam Mendes' production of Cabaret at Studio 54, her first time in the theater, where she went with $45 she had won hustling pool.
Initially unsure of herself, Majok began to take part in theatrical performances when she discovered Sarah Kane’s plays in the library.
"[12] Discussing her inspirations, Majok pointed out her mother, and also said:[13] Aside from being an amazing production, Cabaret was a story set in dark times.
My friend calls them hear-me-out plays.Her breakthrough play, Ironbound (2014), depicts the illusion of the American Dream and fighting for a place in the world through the eyes of a hard-working, barely-getting-by immigrant woman, living in the industrial wastelands of New Jersey.
An honest, original work that invites audiences to examine diverse perceptions of privilege and human connection through two pairs of mismatched individuals: a former trucker and his recently paralyzed ex-wife, and an arrogant young man with cerebral palsy and his new caregiver.
[19] Cost of Living has been produced around the world including in New York, Los Angeles, London, Toronto, Poland, Israel, and Cyprus.
The play encompasses 16 years during which documented and undocumented women of two generations and different origin live together, in a basement apartment in Queens, New York, trying to support each other in their struggle with everyday life.
The action takes place in Newark during the early 2000s when the DREAM Act was proposed and young immigrants hoped it might be a resolution to their uncertain status.
"[22] Majok's story asks what we’re willing to sacrifice for someone we love, she said: “some of the things I'm exploring are the extent to which we help when we can, how much we are willing to care for and sacrifice for another person, and the cost of that, for both sides, particularly when coming from a world of limited means and guarantees.”[23] Sanctuary City, produced by New York Theatre Workshop, had a world premiere Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in March 2020, but was suspended after a few days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
[11] In April 2021, it was announced that Majok would adapt F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby for the stage, with Florence Welch and Doveman writing music.
In 2023, the musical, Gatsby, premiered at the American Repertory Theater with Rebecca Frecknall, with whom Majok worked on Sanctuary City, directing.
The producers stated that "Martyna and Rebecca are two of the most exciting theatre artists of their generation and, together, this extraordinary team brings a thrilling new perspective to one of the most culturally significant books of all time.
"[31] Ironbound is the story of a Polish immigrant, Darja, living in New Jersey working as a house cleaner and factory worker, as Majok's mother used to do.
The play featured direction by Daniella Topol, sets and lighting by Justin Townsend, costumes by Kaye Voyce, and sound by Jane Shaw.
The cast included Marin Ireland as Darja, Shiloh Fernandez as Vic, Josiah Bania as Maks, and Morgan Spector as Tommy.
The drama includes Eddie and Ani – an ex-truck driver and his wife who is quadriplegic, John – a witty doctoral student with cerebral palsy, and Jess – his over-worked caregiver.
The story centers around a group of immigrant women which come from different countries and live in an illegal basement apartment in Queens, New York.
It featured direction by Dayna Taymor, scenic design by Laura Jellinek, costumes by Kaye Voyce, lighting by Matt Frey, and sound by Stowe Nelson.
[44] The cast included Jessica Love, Nadine Malouf, Ana Reeder, Andrea Syglowski, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Sarah Tolan-Mee, and Nicole Villamil.
Sanctuary City, a play produced by New York Theatre Workshop "that blends the personal and political in its depiction of a newly naturalized teenager who decides to marry her undocumented best friend so he can remain in the country", had a short Off-Broadway engagement in 2020.