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. The awards are considered a significant American theater honor"Baylor's Traveling Lady Production Receives Drama Desk Nomination" , Baylor University, April 28, 2006. Retrieved June 8, 2009 and are often referred to as "the Golden Globes of Theatre."
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. The awards are represented by long-time Broadway press agency, Keith Sherman & Associates.
History and mission 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,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 and by the 1968–69 season, they expanded to include Broadway productions. 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.McKinley, Jesse. " Modern Millie Leads Drama Desk Awards" The New York Times, May 20, 2002. Retrieved June 8, 2009Riedel, Michael. "Backstage brouhaha at the Drama Desk Awards" , Los Angeles Times, April 18, 2009
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.
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.
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. 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.
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, Maury Yeston, 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.
Award Categories Performance categories
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play Outstanding Solo Performance
Show and technical categories
Outstanding Musical Outstanding Revival of a Musical Outstanding Direction of a Musical Outstanding Book of a Musical Outstanding Music Outstanding Music in a Play Outstanding Lyrics Outstanding Orchestrations Outstanding Choreography Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical Outstanding Play Outstanding Revival of a Play Outstanding Direction of a Play Outstanding Costume Design of a Play Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play Outstanding Sound Design in a Play Outstanding Projection Design Outstanding Puppetry Outstanding Revue Outstanding Wig and Hair Design Outstanding Fight Choreography Outstanding Adaptation Unique Theatrical Experience
Special awards Drama Desk Special Award Outstanding Ensemble
Retired awards
Outstanding Actor in a Musical Outstanding Actress in a Musical Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Outstanding Actor in a Play Outstanding Actress in a Play Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Outstanding Director Outstanding Revival Outstanding Costume Design Outstanding Lighting Design Outstanding Set Design Outstanding Sound Design
Ceremony History Season Nominations announced date Nomination announcement host(s) Awards ceremony Awards ceremony venue Awards ceremony host(s) Ref2025-26April 29, 2026Raúl Esparza and Helen J. ShenMay 17, 2026The Town HallMarla Mindelle2024-25April 20, 2025Norm LewisJune 1, 2025Skirball Center for the Performing ArtsDebra Messing & Tituss Burgess 2023–24 April 29, 2024 Kathleen Turner June 10, 2024 Sutton Foster & Aaron Tveit 2022–23 April 27, 2023 Donna McKechnie June 6, 2023Sardi's Mandy Patinkin & Kathryn Grody 2021–22 May 16, 2022 George Takei June 14, 2022 Renée Elise Goldsberry 2020-21No 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, 2020Virtual ceremony Frank DiLella 2018–19 April 25, 2019 Roma Torre June 2, 2019The Town HallMichael Urie 2017–18 April 26, 2018 Jane Krakowski & Tituss Burgess June 3, 2018 2016–17 April 27, 2017 Laura Benanti & Javier Muñoz June 4, 2017 2015–16 April 28, 2016 Matthew Morrison & Vanessa Williams June 5, 2016Gans, Andrew. "Vanessa Williams and Matthew Morrison Announce Drama Desk Nominations Today" , Playbill, April 28, 2016 2014–15 April 23, 2015 Judith Light & Jessie Mueller May 31, 2015Laura Benanti Gans, Andrew and Gioia, Michael. "Drama Desk Award Winners Announced; 'Hamilton' Wins Seven Awards" , Playbill, May 31, 2015 2013–14 April 25, 2014 Robert Lopez, Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Fran Drescher June 1, 2014 Gans, Andrew."Winners of 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards Announced; 'Gentleman's Guide' and 'All the Way' Win Top Prizes" , Playbill, June 1, 2014 2012–13 April 29, 2013 Linda Lavin & John Lloyd Young May 19, 2013Jan Maxwell & John Lloyd Young Hetrick, Adam and Gans, Andrew. Billy Porter, Andrea Martin, Pippin, Matilda, Vanya and Sonia Win Drama Desk Awards" Playbill, May 19, 2013 2011–12 April 27, 2012 Donna Murphy & Brian d'Arcy James June 3, 2012Brooke Shields & Brian d'Arcy James Gans, Andrew. "'Once', 'Tribes', 'Follies', 'Salesman', Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein and More Are Drama Desk Winners" Playbill, June 3, 2012 2010–11 April 29, 2011 Audra McDonald & Liev Schreiber May 23, 2011Hammerstein BallroomHarvey Fierstein BBW News Desk. "2011 Drama Desk Award Winners Announced!" BroadwayWorld.com, May 23, 2011 2009–10 May 3, 2010 Brian Stokes Mitchell & Cady Huffman May 23, 2010LaGuardia Concert HallPatti LuPone Gans, Andrew."Red, Memphis, Bridge, Fences and La Cage Win Drama Desk Awards" Playbill, May 23, 2010 2008–09 April 27, 2009 Jim Dale & Faith Prince May 17, 2009Harvey Fierstein Gans, Andrew. "Harvey Fierstein to Host Drama Desk Awards" Playbill, March 25, 2009 2007–08 April 28, 2008 Bebe Neuwirth & Len Cariou May 18, 2008Jeff Bowen, Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, & Heidi Blickenstaff Bacalzo, Dan. " Title of Show Cast to Host 2008 Drama Desk Awarda" theatermania.com, April 22, 2008 2006–07 April 26, 2007 James Naughton & Beth Leavel May 20, 2007Kristin Chenoweth Bacalzo, Dan. " Kristin Chenoweth Will Host Drama Desk Awards" playbill.com, March 29, 20082005-06April 27, 2006Marvin Hamlisch & Donna McKechnieMay 21, 2006Harvey Fierstein2004-05April 28, 2005Robert Goulet & Lynn RedgraveMay 22, 20052003-04April 29, 2004Mary-Louise Parker & Tony RobertsMay 16, 20042002-03May 1, 2003Judy Kaye & Martin Richards May 18, 2003Chita Rivera2001-02April 30, 2002John Stamos & Polly BergenMay 19, 2002Rue McClanahan2000-01May 1, 2001Michele Lee & Dick CavettMay 25, 2001Lily Tomlin1999-00April 25, 2000Susan Lucci & Tom WopatMay 14, 2000Bebe Neuwirth1998-99April 19, 1999Bebe Neuwirth & Joel GreyMay 9, 1999Bernadette Peters1997-98April 27, 1998Freddie Roman, Lillias White, & Robert CuccioliMay 17, 1998The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter CollegeNo Host1996-97April 28, 1997Julie Harris & Michael NouriMay 18, 1997Booth TheatreNo Host1995-96May 2, 1996May 19, 1996New Victory TheaterTony Randall
See also Other theatre awards in New York: Tony Awards Lucille Lortel Awards Obie Awards New York Drama Critics' Circle Drama League Awards Theatre World Awards
References
External links Official website