Established in 1955, the awards are presented annually by the Drama Desk organization, a collective of New York City-based theatre critics, journalists, editors, and publishers dedicated to celebrating excellence in the performing arts.[6] The awards are represented by long-time Broadway press agency, Keith Sherman & Associates.[7]
The Drama Desk organization was founded in 1949 by a group of theater critics and journalists aiming to spotlight significant issues in the theatrical industry and to support the development of New York theater. In 1955, the organization began presenting awards known as the Vernon Rice Awards, named after the New York Post critic who championed off-Broadway productions. The awards were renamed the Drama Desk Awards in the 1963–1964 season,[8] and by the 1968–69 season, they expanded to include Broadway productions.[9] In 1974, the Drama Desk was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, and in 1975 its announcement of winners was expanded to include the nominees. Today, the awards are voted on by over 130 New York theater critics, reporters, writers, and arts editors, all of whom serve voluntarily and without vested interests in the results.[6][10][11][12]
The Drama Desk Awards are distinctive in their comprehensive approach, evaluating productions from Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway on an equal footing. This inclusivity is intended to acknowledge both established and emerging talents. In 2023, the awards adopted gender-neutral performance categories. Each performance category now features twice as many nominees and two winners to recognize excellence.[13]
The Drama Desk plans to expand the awards in 2027 to honor regional theater across the United States, along with Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off Broadway, to become the only major theatrical award to honor professional theater nationally.[14]
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