History
The Drama Desk organization was formed in 1949 by a group of New York theater critics, editors, reporters and publishers, in order to make the public aware of the vital issues concerning the theatrical industry. They debuted the presentations of the Vernon Rice Awards. The name honors the New York Post critic Vernon Rice, who had pioneered Off-Broadway coverage in the New York press. The name was changed for the 1963–1964 awards season to the Drama Desk Awards. [5] [6] [7] Following the 1964 renaming as the Drama Desk Awards, Broadway productions were included beginning with the 1968–69 award season. [5] [8]
In 1974, the Drama Desk became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. In 1975, the Drama Desk announcement of winners included the nominees as well. [6] [9]
Today, more than 130 New York theater critics, reporters, writers, and arts editors vote on the Awards. [10] Membership consists of two categories: active (voting) membership and participating membership. [11]
Notable winners include Elton John, Julie Andrews, Al Pacino, Angela Lansbury, Stephen Sondheim, Bette Midler, Whoopi Goldberg, Dustin Hoffman, Liza Minnelli, Glenn Close, James Earl Jones, Mike Nichols, Helen Hayes, Bernadette Peters, Billy Crystal, Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone, Hugh Jackman, Cynthia Erivo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Nathan Lane, Frank Langella, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, Kevin Spacey, Viola Davis, Chita Rivera, Harvey Fierstein, Christine Baranski, Tina Fey, Laura Linney, Kristin Chenoweth, Cynthia Nixon, Edie Falco, Allison Janney, Jane Krakowski, Lea Salonga, Sutton Foster, Stephanie J. Block, Phylicia Rashad, Patrick Stewart, Stockard Channing, Elaine Stritch, Andrew Garfield, Billy Porter, Martin Short, Danny DeVito, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Mike Birbiglia, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Alexander, Anna Kendrick, Estelle Parsons, and Mel Brooks. [12]
The Drama Desk Awards have contributed to the ongoing success of major stars, playwrights and designers, while also identifying newcomers. The Drama Desk was the first New York theater organization to give awards to talents such as Edward Albee, Wendy Wasserstein, and George C. Scott. Plays like Driving Miss Daisy , Other People's Money , Steel Magnolias , and The Boys in the Band built momentum with the help of Drama Desk wins.
In keeping with its original mission, the organization sponsors guest panel luncheons with theater professionals. Panels address topics of current interest: covering the season on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway, with the aim of prompting informative and stimulating discussion. [6]
In June 2025, it was announced that the 2027 Drama Desk Awards will expand to honor regional theatre across the United States, along with Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway, becoming the only major theatrical award to honor professional theatre nationally. [13]
