The Debate Society

The Debate Society is an Obie Award-winning, Brooklyn-based company that creates new plays through the collaboration of Hannah Bos (writer/performer), Paul Thureen (writer/performer), and Oliver Butler (director/developer). The Debate Society’s plays include Jacuzzi (Ars Nova; Time Out New York Top 10 of 2014; published by Samuel French), Blood Play (Bushwick Starr/Under The Radar/Williamstown Theater Festival; Samuel French), Buddy Cop 2 (Ontological-Hysteric Incubator; Samuel French), You're Welcome (The Brick; published by Playscripts), Cape Disappointment (PS122; Samuel French), The Eaten Heart, The Snow Hen, and A Thought About Raya. 

The Debate Society trio are recipients of a 2012 Obie Grant, 2013 Obie Award (Performance – Blood Play), NEFA National Theater Project Grant, and proud faculty members of The National Theater Institute. 

Photo by Zack DeZon

Hannah Bos

Founder and co-Artistic Director of The Debate Society. Writing (all with Paul Thureen): the plays of The Debate Society,  “Mozart in the Jungle” (Amazon), “High Maintenance” (HBO),Landlines (Keen Teens). Acting: The Debate Society: Jacuzzi, Blood Play, Buddy Cop 2, You’re Welcome, Cape Disappointment, The Eaten Heart, The Snow Hen, A Thought About Raya. Off-Broadway: The Open House (Signature, Drama Desk Award, Lortel nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress). Regional: Will Eno’s GNIT (Humana), Lisa Kron’s The Veri**on Play (Humana), Lysistrata (A.R.T.). Film: How to Follow Strangers, The Incredible Jessica James. TV: “High Maintenance” (HBO). Sundance Institute Fellow, faculty member of National Theater Institute. BA Vassar College and MFA Harvard/A.R.T. (As of 1/12/17)

Paul Thureen

Founder and co-Artistic Director of The Debate Society. Writing (all with Hannah Bos): the plays of The Debate Society.  “Mozart in the Jungle” (Amazon), “High Maintenance” (HBO),Landlines (Keen Teens). Acting: The Debate Society: Jacuzzi, Blood Play (Obie Award), Buddy Cop 2, You’re Welcome, Cape Disappointment, The Eaten Heart, The Snow Hen, A Thought About Raya. Off-Broadway: Uncle Vanya (Soho Rep.), 41-derful (Clubbed Thumb), Core Values (Ars Nova). Regional: The Description of the World (Theatre de la Jeune Lune). TV: “High Maintenance” (HBO), “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Sundance Institute Fellow, faculty member of National Theater Institute. BA, Vassar College. (As of 1/12/17)

• “★★★★ Critic’s Pick. A theatrical cabinet of wonders! A wistful, cockeyed play that celebrates American dreamers. ”

  — David Cote, Time Out New York

• “Let there be light. A hymn to the glories and perils of creative minds. Fabulous. ”

  — Ben Brantley, The New York Times

• “The Debate Society has emerged as the most beguiling and visually inventive experimental troupe in years.”

  — Time Out New York