Awards Overview

The Drama League Awards are the oldest theatrical honors in America, beginning in 1935 and predating the Tony Awards by twelve years. These highly-prized awards are also the only major awards given by theatregoers themselves -- they are chosen each year by the thousands of Drama League members nationwide. The Drama League Awards honor distinguished productions and performances on Broadway and Off-Broadway, as well as exemplary career achievements in theatre, musical theatre, and directing. The first Drama League Award was presented to the great actress Katharine Cornell in 1935. Since then, the Distinguished Performance Award has been accorded to a roster of theatre legends such as Liam Neeson, Cherry Jones, Hugh Jackman, Glenn Close, Sir John Gielgud, Harvey Fierstein, Alec Guinness, James Earl Jones, Julie Harris, Helen Hayes, Jeremy Irons, Mary-Louise Parker, Sir Ian McKellen, Bernadette Peters, and Christopher Plummer.

Awards are also given by our members for Distinguished Play, Musical, Revival Play and Revival Musical of the year. At the height of the theatrical season each May, the awards are presented in a star-studded ceremony during The Annual Awards Luncheon attended by performers, directors, producers, and Drama League Members. Called "a wonderful, notoriously swanky affair" by Playbill magazine, the Luncheon is generally acknowledged in the theatre community as the most intimate, friendly, and enjoyable event in the awards season. Peruse our seventy-one years of history, and make plans to attend the next Annual Awards Luncheon, held each May. For more information or to attend the Awards Luncheon, call (212) 244-9494, extension 5.