- He was awarded the 2010 National Medal of Arts for his contributions to the American theatre as a critic, producer, playwright, and educator. He was the founder of the Yale Repertory Theatre and the American Repertory Theatre and Institute for Advanced Theatre Training, and was a former theatre critic for The New Republic since 1959. He has been a leading force in the develop of theatre and theatre artists in the United States.
- He was awarded The 1985 Jujamcyn Prize for outstanding contribution to the development of creative talent for theatre for the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- He was awarded the 1986 Regional Tony Award for American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the Tony Awards in New York City as artistic director.
- Brustein was the theatre critic for The New Republic from 1959 to "about 2000", and later contributed to The Huffington Post.
- As the artistic director of Yale Rep from 1966 to 1979, and of ART from 1980 to 2002, Brustein supervised over 200 productions, acting in eight and directing twelve.
- Brustein received the Pirandello Medal, and a medal from the Egyptian government for contributions to world theatre.
- In 1996 and 1997, Brustein was involved in an extended public debate - through their essays, speeches and personal appearances - with African-American playwright August Wilson about multiculturalism, color-blind casting, and other issues where race impacts on the craft and practice of theatre in America.
- Brustein's klezmer musical, with composer Hankus Netsky, The King of Second Avenue, an adaptation of Israel Zangwill's The King of the Schnorrers, was produced at the New Repertory Theatre in 2015.
- As a playwright, Brustein both authored plays and adapted the material of other authors.
- Brustein was married to actress Norma Ofstrock until her death in 1979. In 1996, he married activist and academic Doreen Beinart; through this marriage, he became the stepfather of journalist Peter Beinart.
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