Mark Brokaw, a prolific director renowned for his work in Off-Broadway, Broadway, and regional theater, passed away on Sunday, June 29, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was either 66 or 67 years old.
Mark Brokaw: A Tribute to a Theatrical Visionary
Mark Brokaw, a prolific director renowned for his work in Off-Broadway, Broadway, and regional theater, passed away on Sunday, June 29, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was either 66 or 67 years old.
A Legacy of Collaboration
His death was confirmed by actor Camryn Manheim on social media, who expressed, “My beautiful friend Mark Brokaw lost his battle with cancer this morning….Today, we lost a beautiful, gifted, beloved friend, artist, husband, and son. The entire theater community is grieving today. I will miss him terribly.”
Raised in Illinois, Brokaw graduated from Yale Drama School and received a fellowship from the Drama League in New York. He began his career as an assistant director for Carole Rothman at the Second Stage Off-Broadway theater, working on Tina Howe’s Coastal Disturbances in 1987.
Early Career and Breakthroughs
Brokaw’s first solo directing job at Second Stage was Lanford Wilson’s The Rimers of Eldritch in 1988. That same year, he directed Lynda Barry’s The Good Times Are Killing Me, a production that solidified his reputation.
Throughout the 1990s, Brokaw directed premieres of acclaimed plays, including Kenneth Lonergan’s This Is Our Youth (1996) and Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive (1997). His collaborations with playwrights like Lonergan, Vogel, and Nicky Silver resulted in several successful productions.
Broadway Contributions
On Broadway, Brokaw directed notable works such as Lucas’ Reckless (2004), The Constant Wife (2005), and the musical adaptation of Cry-Baby (2007). His most recent work included a revival of Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive, which reunited him with Mary-Louise Parker and David Morse.
A Lasting Impact
Brokaw’s influence extended beyond New York, with regional credits at prestigious theaters such as the Guthrie and the Kennedy Center. He also directed internationally, including at London’s Donmar Warehouse and Sydney Opera House.
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In 2007, he directed the film Spinning into Butter, showcasing his versatility as a director.
As a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Brokaw was a mentor and a guiding light in the theater community. The Drama League remarked on his significant contributions, stating, “His artistic brilliance shaped countless productions and inspired generations of artists.”
Complete information on survivors was not immediately available.
Mark Brokaw has died. We worked together five times. He was a brilliant director and my dear friend. Funny, smart, kind, generous, and the epitome of class. He loved the theater and I loved him. The world feels very different to me today, emptier and sadder. Thank you, Mark. pic.twitter.com/9Ww9WE2yVG
— Nicky Silver (@thenycwriter) June 29, 2025
