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Drama Desk Awards

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Drama Desk Awards
Awarded forExcellence in Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway New York theatre
CountryUnited States
Presented byThe Drama Desk
First award1955; 70 years ago (1955)
Websitedramadesk.org
Drama Desk Awards logo

The Drama Desk Awards are among the most esteemed honors in New York theater, recognizing outstanding achievements across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway productions within the same categories.[1] The awards are considered a significant American theater honor[2] and have been referred to as "the Golden Globes of Theatre."[3]

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.[4] The awards are represented by long-time Broadway press agency, Keith Sherman & Associates.[5]

2025 Drama Desk Award Winners
 
Award Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
Winners Jasmine Amy Rogers
(Boop! The Musical)
 Audra McDonald
(Gypsy)
 
Award Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play
Winners Sarah Snook
(Dorian Gray) 		Laura Donnelly
(The Hills of California)
Award
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Play
Winners Maybe Happy Ending Purpose

History and mission

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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,[6] and by the 1968–69 season, they expanded to include Broadway productions.[7] 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.[4][8][9][10]

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.[11]

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.[12]

The Drama Desk Awards have brought attention to such artists as Morgan Freeman, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, James Lapine, Nathan Lane, Ellen Burstyn, Audra McDonald, and Anthony Hopkins before they entered the theatrical mainstream.[citation needed] Works such as Hamilton, A Chorus Line, Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias, Sunday in the Park with George, and The Boys in the Band gained early recognition at the Drama Desk Awards.[citation needed] Other notable winners of Drama Desk Awards include Elton John, Al Pacino, Julie Andrews, Helen Mirren, Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg, Bette Midler, Ian McKellen, James Earl Jones, Kevin Spacey, Liza Minnelli, Hugh Jackman, Mel Brooks, Sarah Paulson, Tina Fey, Reba McEntire, Angela Lansbury, Jessica Lange, Lily Tomlin, Patrick Stewart, Viola Davis, Antonio Banderas, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Glenn Close, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andrew Garfield, Neil Patrick Harris, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Stephen Sondheim, Billy Crystal, Bob Fosse, Mike Nichols, Christine Baranski, Jessica Chastain, Sean Hayes, Chita Rivera, Edie Falco, Laura Linney, Kristin Chenoweth, Cynthia Nixon, Allison Janney,Cynthia Erivo, Elaine Stritch, Frank Langella, Phylicia Rashad, Jessica Tandy, Stockard Channing, Billy Porter, Harvey Fierstein, Sutton Foster, Stephanie J. Block, Jane Krakowski, Mike Birbiglia, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jason Alexander, Lena Horne, Lauren Bacall, Estelle Parsons, Ethel Merman, Glynis Johns, and Helen Hayes.[13]

Award Categories

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Performance categories

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Show and technical categories

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Special awards

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Retired awards

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Ceremony History

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Season Nominations announced date Nomination announcement host(s) Awards ceremony Awards ceremony venue Awards ceremony host(s) Ref
2024-25 April 20, 2025 Norm Lewis June 1, 2025 Skirball Center for the Performing Arts Debra Messing & Tituss Burgess [14]
2023–24 April 29, 2024 Kathleen Turner June 10, 2024 Sutton Foster & Aaron Tveit [15]
2022–23 April 27, 2023 Donna McKechnie June 6, 2023 Sardi's Mandy Patinkin & Kathryn Grody [16]
2021–22 May 16, 2022 George Takei June 14, 2022 Renée Elise Goldsberry [17]
2020-21 No awards: New York theatres shuttered, March 2020 to September 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City
2019–20 April 21, 2020 Seth Rudetsky June 13, 2020 Virtual ceremony Frank DiLella [18]
2018–19 April 25, 2019 Roma Torre June 2, 2019 The Town Hall Michael Urie [19]
2017–18 April 26, 2018 Jane Krakowski & Tituss Burgess June 3, 2018 [20]
2016–17 April 27, 2017 Laura Benanti & Javier Muñoz June 4, 2017 [21]
2015–16 April 28, 2016 Matthew Morrison & Vanessa Williams June 5, 2016 [22]
2014–15 April 23, 2015 Judith Light & Jessie Mueller May 31, 2015 Laura Benanti [23]
2013–14 April 25, 2014 Robert Lopez, Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Fran Drescher June 1, 2014 [24]
2012–13 April 29, 2013 Linda Lavin & John Lloyd Young May 19, 2013 Jan Maxwell & John Lloyd Young [25]
2011–12 April 27, 2012 Donna Murphy & Brian d'Arcy James June 3, 2012 Brooke Shields & Brian d'Arcy James [26]
2010–11 April 29, 2011 Audra McDonald & Liev Schreiber May 23, 2011 Hammerstein Ballroom Harvey Fierstein [27]
2009–10 May 3, 2010 Brian Stokes Mitchell & Cady Huffman May 23, 2010 LaGuardia Concert Hall Patti LuPone [28]
2008–09 April 27, 2009 Jim Dale & Faith Prince May 17, 2009 Harvey Fierstein [29]
2007–08 April 28, 2008 Bebe Neuwirth & Len Cariou May 18, 2008 Jeff Bowen, Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, & Heidi Blickenstaff [30]
2006–07 April 26, 2007 James Naughton & Beth Leavel May 20, 2007 Kristin Chenoweth [31]
2005-06 April 27, 2006 Marvin Hamlisch & Donna McKechnie May 21, 2006 Harvey Fierstein [32]
2004-05 April 28, 2005 Robert Goulet & Lynn Redgrave May 22, 2005 [33]
2003-04 April 29, 2004 Mary-Louise Parker & Tony Roberts May 16, 2004 [34]
2002-03 May 1, 2003 Judy Kaye & Martin Richards May 18, 2003 Chita Rivera [35]
2001-02 April 30, 2002 John Stamos & Polly Bergen May 19, 2002 Rue McClanahan [36]
2000-01 May 1, 2001 Michele Lee & Dick Cavett May 25, 2001 Lily Tomlin [37]
1999-00 April 25, 2000 Susan Lucci & Tom Wopat May 14, 2000 Bebe Neuwirth [38][39]
1998-99 April 19, 1999 Bebe Neuwirth & Joel Grey May 9, 1999 Bernadette Peters [40]
1997-98 April 27, 1998 Freddie Roman, Lillias White, & Robert Cuccioli May 17, 1998 The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College No Host [41]
1996-97 April 28, 1997 Julie Harris & Michael Nouri May 18, 1997 Booth Theatre No Host [42]
1995-96 May 2, 1996 May 19, 1996 New Victory Theater Tony Randall [43]

See also

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Other theatre awards in New York:

References

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  1. ^ "The Drama Desk – 2025 Drama Desk Awards". 2024 Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  2. ^ "Baylor's Traveling Lady Production Receives Drama Desk Nomination" Archived 2011-08-12 at the Wayback Machine, Baylor University, April 28, 2006. Retrieved June 8, 2009
  3. ^ Thomas, Leah Marilla. ""The Nevers" Already Has An Overwhelming Cast of Characters". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  4. ^ a b "A Brief History of the Drama Desk Awards". DramaDesk. Archived from the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  5. ^ "69th Annual Drama Desk Awards Set for June 1". www.theatricalindex.com. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  6. ^ Zolotow, Sam. "Critics Hail Off Broadway Work: Elmer [sic] Rice Awards Are Presented by Drama Desk", The New York Times, May 19, 1964, p. 42
  7. ^ Calta, Louis (July 2, 1969). "Jones Is Named For Top Award By Drama Desk". The New York Times. p. 34. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  8. ^ McKinley, Jesse. " Modern Millie Leads Drama Desk Awards" Archived 2020-02-18 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times, May 20, 2002. Retrieved June 8, 2009
  9. ^ Riedel, Michael. "Backstage brouhaha at the Drama Desk Awards" Archived 2008-06-25 at the Wayback Machine, Los Angeles Times, April 18, 2009
  10. ^ "Nominating Committee & Current Members". Drama Desk. Archived from the original on September 4, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  11. ^ "Drama Desk Awards Sets Date and Venue for 2025 Ceremony". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-06-07.
  12. ^ "The Drama Desk Awards Are Going National". Playbill.com.
  13. ^ "Broadway Awards Database – Drama Desk Awards". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  14. ^ Russo, Gillian (2025-06-02). "2025 Drama Desk Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  15. ^ Rosky, Nicholas (April 29, 2024). "2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List!". Broadway World. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  16. ^ Gans, Andrew; Culwell-Block, Logan (June 9, 2023). "Photos: On the Red Carpet at the 67th Annual Drama Desk Awards". Playnbill. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  17. ^ "Photos: Go Inside the 66th Annual Drama Desk Awards". Broadway World. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  18. ^ "65th Annual Drama Desk Awards Take Place June 13". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 14, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  19. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Michael Urie Will Return to Host 2019 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  20. ^ BWW News Desk. "Save the Date! 2018 Drama Desk Awards Reserve The Town Hall". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  21. ^ Cox, Gordon (2017-06-05). "Drama Desk Awards 2017: Bette Midler, 'Oslo' Take Top Honors (Full List)". Variety. Archived from the original on 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  22. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Vanessa Williams and Matthew Morrison Announce Drama Desk Nominations Today" Archived 2016-04-29 at the Wayback Machine, Playbill, April 28, 2016
  23. ^ Gans, Andrew and Gioia, Michael. "Drama Desk Award Winners Announced; 'Hamilton' Wins Seven Awards" Archived 2015-06-01 at the Wayback Machine, Playbill, May 31, 2015
  24. ^ Gans, Andrew."Winners of 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards Announced; 'Gentleman's Guide' and 'All the Way' Win Top Prizes" Archived June 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Playbill, June 1, 2014
  25. ^ Hetrick, Adam and Gans, Andrew. Billy Porter, Andrea Martin, Pippin, Matilda, Vanya and Sonia Win Drama Desk Awards" Archived June 5, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Playbill, May 19, 2013
  26. ^ Gans, Andrew. "'Once', 'Tribes', 'Follies', 'Salesman', Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein and More Are Drama Desk Winners" Archived 2012-06-06 at the Wayback Machine Playbill, June 3, 2012
  27. ^ BBW News Desk. "2011 Drama Desk Award Winners Announced!" Archived 2014-05-18 at the Wayback Machine BroadwayWorld.com, May 23, 2011
  28. ^ Gans, Andrew."Red, Memphis, Bridge, Fences and La Cage Win Drama Desk Awards" Archived March 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Playbill, May 23, 2010
  29. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Harvey Fierstein to Host Drama Desk Awards" Archived May 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Playbill, March 25, 2009
  30. ^ Bacalzo, Dan. " Title of Show Cast to Host 2008 Drama Desk Awarda" Archived 2014-05-25 at the Wayback Machine theatermania.com, April 22, 2008
  31. ^ Bacalzo, Dan. " Kristin Chenoweth Will Host Drama Desk Awards" playbill.com, March 29, 2008
  32. ^ "Drowsy Chaperone and History Boys Big Winners at the 2006 Drama Desk Awards". Playbill.com.
  33. ^ "2005 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced - TheaterMania.com". 2005-04-28. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  34. ^ "2004 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced - TheaterMania.com". 2004-04-29. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  35. ^ "Hairspray Leads 2003 Drama Desk Award Nominations". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2024-12-15. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  36. ^ "Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced Today". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  37. ^ "Drama Desk Nominations to Be Announced at Friar's Club on May 1".
  38. ^ Hofler, Robert (2000-04-26). "Drama Desk noms 'Wild'". Variety. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  39. ^ "Drama Desk Nominations Announced at Friar's Club April 25 | Playbill". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  40. ^ "Bernadette Peters To Host Drama Desk Awards, May 9 at LaGuardia HS".
  41. ^ "Drama Desk Nominations Due Apr. 27, Awards For Sunday, May 17 | Playbill". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  42. ^ "Drama Desk Picks Performers, Presenters & Venue, May 18 | Playbill". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  43. ^ "Drama Desk Awards to Rent, Master Class". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
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