Idris Goodwin
About
Idris Goodwin is an award-winning writer and storyteller whose work spans stage, screen, audio, and page. From his widely produced breakbeat plays and historical dramas to his growing catalog of books for young readers—including Your House is Not Just a House (Harper/Clarion) and King of the Neuroverse (Simon & Schuster/Atheneum)—Goodwin’s work pulses with rhythm and urgency. A United States Artist Fellow and seasoned educator, he has created content for HBO Def Poetry, Sesame Street, and NPR, and will soon join Arizona State University as Associate Professor of Dramatic Writing
Idris Goodwin is an award winning multidisciplinary writer of stage, audio, screen and page. As a playwright, his vast library of nearly 100 titles have been widely produced and published, including his Hip Hop inspired breakbeat series, historical dramas, and works for young audiences.
As a screenwriter, his feature This Is Modern Art (adapted from his stageplay) is currently in development with State Street Pictures, he also adapted the memoir Black Gods of the Asphalt for Harper Road Film, and he worked on an adaptation of The New Adventures of The Cat in The Hat for Portfolio Entertainment and serves as creative consultant for Wondery/Tinkercast’s Once Upon A Beat.
Goodwin’s burgeoning career as an author for young readers began with the publication of the children’s book Your House is Not Just a House, based on one of his poems and published by Harpers/Clarion in 2024. Forthcoming projects include the middle grade novel-in-verse King of the Neuro Verse (Simon & Schuster / Atheneum) and his follow up children’s book Don’t Drop the Mic (Harpers/Clarion).
Goodwin has appeared on or created content for HBO Def Poetry, Sesame Street, NPR, BBC Radio, Nickelodeon and the Discovery Channel. He is also a 2021 United States Artist Fellow, recognized as one of the most compelling artists living and working in the country, and The New York Times has hailed his work as “incisive and moving.”
A dedicated educator and mentor, Goodwin will return to academia this fall as Associate Professor of Dramatic Writing at Arizona State University. His experience includes tenure-track professorship and serving as Executive Director of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, as well as Artistic Director of StageOne Family Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky, and Seattle Children’s Theatre.
