BroadwayRadio: All the Drama

Playwright David Auburn on ‘Proof,’ 2001 Pulitzer Prize Winner

Date: March 14, 2026
Host: Jan Simpson
Guest: David Auburn

Overview

This episode of All the Drama spotlights playwright David Auburn and the enduring legacy of his celebrated play, "Proof," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2001. With a Broadway revival on the horizon, Jan Simpson delves into Auburn’s personal journey, the genesis and themes of "Proof," its impact on his career, the adaptation process for film, and what lies ahead for the play.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: 2001 and "Proof" ([00:34 - 11:20])

• Contextualizes "Proof" within the major events of 2001—September 11 attacks, shifts in technology, and mental health awareness.
• Brief biography of David Auburn: Raised in a family with academic and theatrical roots; early exposure to community theater in Chicago; initial pursuits in political science, shifting to theater after involvement with sketch comedy at the University of Chicago.
• Early playwriting career: First full play, "Skyscraper," leads to connection with Manhattan Theatre Club, setting the stage for "Proof."
• "Proof": Opened Off-Broadway in May 2000, transferred to Broadway later that year. Story centers on Catherine, daughter of a brilliant, mentally ill mathematician, grappling with inherited genius and instability, family tensions, and authenticity.
• Accolades and legacy: Won numerous awards including the Tony and Pulitzer; became a staple for theater companies around the world, with a successful 2005 film adaptation.

Interview with David Auburn

Receiving the Pulitzer ([11:20])

• Auburn recounts the moment he learned about winning:

  "I was just at home at the time... I got a phone call saying congratulations and I've been talking to my wife on the other line. So I clicked back to her and said, I've won this prize. And so we went out to dinner."
  — David Auburn ([11:33])

The Genesis of "Proof" ([12:07])

• Two central ideas sparked the play:
  • Sibling rivalry over an inheritance from a parent.
  • Anxiety about potentially inheriting a parent's mental illness, especially at the age when symptoms emerged.
• Realized these threads belonged together, allowing the play’s themes to intertwine.

Why Math? ([13:14])

• Math as the "MacGuffin" (the object of the sisters’ dispute):

  "A mathematical proof might be interesting because its authorship could be called into question in some interesting ways... it also gave me a link to my idea about this young woman, since a number of famous mathematicians have suffered from that kind of mental instability."
  — David Auburn ([13:29])

• The world of mathematics provided compelling drama and culture.

Researching Mathematics for the Play ([14:35])

• Auburn immersed himself in the non-fiction literature and biographies aimed at general audiences.
• Sought feedback from mathematicians for authenticity:

  "You discover this whole world of people with really interesting responses to the thing that you might not have expected... hanging out with the mathematicians was a lot of fun."
  — David Auburn ([14:50])

Crafting the Sister Dynamic ([15:27])

• The central sibling relationship was always envisioned as two sisters, based on an early mental image in Auburn’s mind, not a calculated choice.
• On avoiding caricature with Claire, the practical sister:

  "If I had a T-shirt for the play, it would say Claire was right. From a practical and really compassionate point of view, everything Claire is doing in the play is right."
  — David Auburn ([17:03])

• Auburn ensured even “antagonists” were justified and deeply humanized.

Chicago's Theatrical Influence ([17:53])

• College years in Chicago were paradigm-shifting, exposing Auburn to vibrant professional and storefront theater scenes.
• Reviewing theater for the college paper "provided a model in my mind for how you can begin to create a career in the theater... you can start these groups and teach yourself and try to attract an audience."
  — David Auburn ([18:21])

From Comedy to Drama ([20:06])

• Began writing sketch comedy but naturally gravitated toward more serious exploration of character in "Proof".
• On the shift:

  "I thought maybe I can do more or go deeper into exploration of character in this next one than I did in the previous play... So that was what I was going for."
  — David Auburn ([20:31])

The Impact of Winning the Pulitzer ([21:18])

• Auburn candid about the "mixed feelings"—the success of "Proof" sometimes overshadowed subsequent works.
• Ultimately, the award was freeing:

  "It felt like someone was sort of cutting the tape and then I could run."
  — David Auburn ([21:55])

Film Adaptation Challenges ([22:44])

• Wrote the screenplay for the 2005 film, but had creative differences with director John Madden about the degree of faithfulness to the stage structure.
• Auburn wanted to "reinvent" the material, but the final cut hewed closer to the original play:

  "There's maybe another version where it is more of a movie that lives more comfortably as a film. But I'm not unhappy with the movie."
  — David Auburn ([23:17])

2026 Broadway Revival ([24:46])

• Auburn anticipates minimal script changes for the upcoming Broadway revival featuring a Black family in leading roles—an approach tested in prior productions.
• On the evolving context:

  "A few things land probably now a little differently because of that. So we’ll look at that, and I’ll be relying on the actors to help me find the best way to navigate some of that. But it’s pretty small stuff."
  — David Auburn ([25:08])

Notable Quotes

• “If I had a T-shirt for the play, it would say Claire was right.”
  — David Auburn ([17:03])
• “It felt like someone was sort of cutting the tape and then I could run.”
  — David Auburn ([21:55])
• “Hanging out with the mathematicians was a lot of fun.”
  — David Auburn ([14:50])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:34] – Context of 2001, Pulitzer Prize background, "Proof" synopsis and impact
• [11:20] – David Auburn interview begins
• [12:23] – Genesis and themes of "Proof"
• [13:29] – On choosing mathematics as a motif
• [14:50] – Math research and authenticity
• [17:03] – Crafting complex characters (Claire’s perspective)
• [18:21] – Chicago theater influence
• [21:55] – Effect of winning the Pulitzer
• [23:17] – Film adaptation and creative process
• [25:08] – The 2026 revival and evolving contexts

Memorable Moments

• Auburn’s delight and humility in receiving the Pulitzer call ([11:33])
• The “Claire was right” philosophy—a fan favorite among actors, offering depth beyond simple antagonism ([17:03])
• Auburn’s transparent mix of pride and challenges as the legacy of "Proof" shaped his career ([21:55])

Closing Notes

Jan Simpson closes with gratitude for Auburn’s reflective candor on both the origins and ongoing life of "Proof," setting the stage for excitement over its upcoming Broadway revival. Auburn demonstrates thoughtful, open-minded engagement with both his famous play and the evolving contexts in which it lives.