by Zach Dulli, The Scene
The Tony Awards
Since their debut in 1947, the Tony Awards have captured the glitz, glamour, and enduring magic of Broadway. Named in tribute to Antoinette Perry, a legendary actress, director, and producer who helped establish the American Theatre Wing, these awards celebrate excellence across 26 competitive categories, along with special honors like the Regional Theater Award and the Isabelle Stevenson Award, recognizing outstanding humanitarian contributions. Each spring, a distinguished panel of around 50 theater professionals carefully selects nominees, who are then judged by over 800 theater insiders, from seasoned stage veterans to critics and press agents. Broadcast on network television since 1956, the Tonys remain Broadway’s grandest night, a joyful celebration of theatrical brilliance, live from New York City.
- Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce will announce the Tony Nominations on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
- The ceremony returns to its iconic home at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 8, 2025, airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ from 8:00–11:00 PM ET.
- The illustrious Cynthia Erivo, a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner, will host this year’s 78th Annual Tony Awards.
- Learn more about the Tony Awards.
The Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Since its inception in 1917 by Columbia University, the Pulitzer Prize has stood as an enduring symbol of American excellence, and nowhere is its impact more passionately felt than in the world of drama. Awarded annually to an original play by an American playwright—premiered either on a New York stage or regionally within the preceding year—this honor occupies a distinguished, albeit sometimes contentious, place in theater history. Though best known for journalism, the Pulitzer Prize’s drama category has consistently captured the imagination and sparked debate among dramatists nationwide.
The award’s selection process itself can be dramatic, guided annually by a panel comprising four theater critics and a distinguished theater academic, whose recommendations are occasionally, and notably, overridden by the Pulitzer Board. Controversy famously arose in 1963, when Edward Albee’s groundbreaking drama, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, was passed over, resulting in no drama award that year. Similar drama unfolded again in 2010, when the Pulitzer Board ignored the jury’s recommendations, selecting a winner independently.
Surprisingly, some of America’s most revered theatrical masterpieces classics such as Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, and even iconic musicals like Oklahoma!, West Side Story, and Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, have never claimed this elusive accolade.
Yet despite occasional controversy and notable omissions, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama endures as one of theater’s highest honors, revered by playwrights and second perhaps only to the Tony Awards themselves.
- The 2025 winner will be announced on Monday, May 5, 2025.
- To learn more about the award, visit pulitzer.org/
The Drama Desk Awards
Since their establishment in 1949, the Drama Desk Awards have become a cherished New York tradition, annually honoring extraordinary achievements across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and even Off-Off-Broadway stages. Distinctively, this celebration places the power firmly in the pens of theatre critics and journalists, who serve as the sole voting body, a unique facet among major theatre awards.
Reflecting evolving sensibilities, in 2023, the Drama Desk Awards embraced gender-neutral acting categories, following the progressive trend also adopted by the Outer Critics Circle. Gone are the conventional titles of “Outstanding Leading Actor” and “Outstanding Leading Actress,” now elegantly merged into two broader “Outstanding Leading Performer in a Play” categories.
Yet perhaps the Drama Desk’s most significant charm lies in its inclusive nature, casting a wide net that allows productions of all sizes, from grand Broadway spectacles to intimate Off-Off-Broadway gems, to compete side by side. While this format provides deserving visibility to smaller shows that might otherwise remain overlooked, the spotlight often remains on Broadway’s prominent players. For instance, in 2022, Broadway productions claimed seven of the eight major acting awards, leaving just one to an Off-Broadway standout.
Every now and then, however, an Off-Broadway sensation breaks through spectacularly, as evidenced in 2015, when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical Hamilton notched an unprecedented 13 nominations, ultimately capturing seven Drama Desk Awards, including the coveted Outstanding Musical. Moments like these remind audiences and artists alike of the Drama Desk Awards’ unique ability to recognize theatrical excellence wherever it shines brightest.
- The Drama Desk Awards Nominations Announcement will be on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
- The 69th Annual ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at NYU’s Skirball Center.
The Outer Critics Circle Awards
Founded in 1950 as an alternative to the New York Drama Critics Circle, the Outer Critics Circle Awards are organized by a diverse group of theater critics and journalists from national, out-of-town, and online publications. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements in both Broadway and Off-Broadway performances. The annual awards ceremony is an exclusive event, open only to members and award recipients, and is typically characterized by its understated nature.
- Nominations for the Outer Critics were announced on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM ET by Cole Escola and Conrad Ricamora.
- The Outer Critics Circle Awards Winners Announcement will occur on Monday, May 12, 2025. The Awards Ceremony will be on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
- Learn more about the Outer Critics Circle Awards at outercritics.org/.
The New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards
Established in 1935 as a counterpoint to the Pulitzer Prize, the New York Drama Critics’ Circle comprises twenty-five esteemed critics initially from major New York publications. This illustrious body convenes annually for a single decisive day to honor the season’s best play, best foreign play, best musical, and a few special citations encompassing productions from across all New York theaters, including Off-Broadway. The selection process is celebrated for transparency, with detailed publication of each critic’s vote in every voting round.
Over the years, the Circle has adapted its membership criteria to address the evolving landscape of journalism, accommodating the challenges of job losses, eliminated positions, and closures within the industry. This flexibility ensures the Circle continues to reflect the current state of theatrical criticism in New York.
- While the exact date for the 2025 awards has not been announced, the ceremony traditionally occurs in May.
- More information on the NY Drama Critics Awards can be found at dramacritics.org/
The Theatre World Awards
Initiated in 1945, the Theatre World Awards annually celebrate twelve remarkable performers (six men and six women) who make their New York stage debut that year. Esteemed as one of the most heartfelt and significant recognitions in the theatre industry, the award is cherished by recipients, both for its prestige and the deep connection it fosters among honorees. Notable past winners often reflect on the award’s impact and take pride in welcoming the newest members into this distinguished circle.
- Each year, the awards honor two seasoned artists with the Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater and the John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement.
- The 79th Annual ceremony will occur on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
The Lucille Lortel Awards
Founded in 1985 by the Off-Broadway League, the Lucille Lortel Awards pay tribute to exceptional achievements in Off-Broadway theater. Named in honor of the renowned actress Lucille Lortel, the awards particularly celebrate theatrical excellence beyond the Broadway stages. Each year, the awards spotlight new talent by awarding a star to an emerging playwright on the Playwrights Sidewalk in front of the Lucille Lortel Theater in the Village.
The determination of nominees and winners involves a diverse committee consisting of representatives from the Off-Broadway League, Actors’ Equity Association, Stage Directors & Choreographers Society, United Scenic Artists, and the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation, along with theater journalists, academics, and other professionals tied to the Off-Broadway scene.
- The Lucille Lortel Awards will hold their 40th Annual ceremony on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM at NYU’s Skirball Center.
- Learn more and discover the 2025 nominees at lortelaward.com
The Obie Awards
- The date for the 69th Obie Awards ceremony will be announced later this year.
- Learn more at obieawards.com
The Drama League Awards
Dubbed “the oldest theatrical honors in America,” the Drama League Awards have been a significant part of the theatrical landscape, annually recognizing excellence in five competitive categories and a selection of special awards. Recently, they have expanded their scope to include two additional competitive categories: outstanding direction of a play and outstanding direction of a musical. Although there’s been some debate over the exact founding date, the Drama League has notably distinguished itself by acknowledging digital theater during the pandemic, when other award bodies did not adapt as quickly.
Despite their pioneering efforts, the Drama League Awards tend to attract less spotlight than other major theatrical awards. The awards feature a unique structure with a single performing category, “Distinguished Performance,” which sees about 60 nominees vying for just one accolade. Furthermore, the voting process is open to anyone who purchases a membership, regardless of their expertise or experience in theater.
- The Drama League Nominations were announced on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Click here to discover the 2025 nominees.
- The 91st Annual Drama League Awards will occur on Friday, May 16, 2025, at The Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City
The Chita Rivera Awards
Presented by the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation, the Chita Rivera Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in dance and choreography across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and film. Initially established in 1982 as the Fred Astaire Awards, the accolade was later renamed the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards. In a tribute to the legendary Tony-winning performer, the awards were renamed eight years ago to honor Chita Rivera.
- The Chita Rivera Award Nominations will be announced on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
- The Chita Rivera Awards ceremony will occur on Monday, May 19, 2025, at NYU’s Skirball Center.
- Learn more at chitariveraawards.com
The Off-Broadway Alliance Awards
Introduced by the Off-Broadway Alliance in 2011, the Off-Broadway Alliance Awards spotlight exceptional performances within Off-Broadway productions. While the Off-Broadway League, responsible for the Lucille Lortel Awards, coexists with the Alliance, distinctions between the two organizations remain somewhat ambiguous. As a more recent addition to the theatrical landscape, the Alliance operates with a less transparent awards process, relying on a rotating committee comprised of unnamed members from within the Alliance.
- A date for the 2025 ceremony has not been announced.
- Learn more at offbroadwayalliance.com
The Del Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in the Art of Stage Management
The Del Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in the Art of Stage Management is a prestigious accolade awarded to individuals who have significantly advanced the field of stage management throughout their careers. Named in honor of Del Hughes, a legendary stage manager known for his extensive work on Broadway, the award is bestowed annually by the Stage Managers’ Association. It celebrates the exceptional achievements of stage managers who exhibit remarkable talent, dedication, and innovation in their craft. Recipients of this award are among the most accomplished and respected in the industry, having profoundly impacted the theatrical world with their adept coordination of complex productions and their significant contributions to the art of stage management.
- The recipient of the 2025 Del Hughes Award is eagerly anticipated and has yet to be announced.
- Learn more about the Award and the Stage Managers’ Association.
