The New York Independent Theater Awards (also known as NYIT Awards and IT Awards) are accolades given annually by The League of Independent Theater to honor individuals and organizations who have achieved artistic excellence in off-off-Broadway theatre.
The awards – created by The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation in 2004 – were formerly known as the New York Innovative Theatre Awards. They were renamed in 2022 upon the Foundation's merger with The League of Independent Theater, who now administer the awards.
History
The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation was created in 2004 by Jason Bowcutt, Shay Gines and Nick Micozzi to bring recognition to artistic output and heritage of New York City's Off-Off-Broadway community. The organization advocated for Off-Off-Broadway and recognized the unique and essential role it plays in contributing to American and global culture.
In 2022, the foundation merged with The League of Independent Theater, with the awards renamed The New York Independent Theater Awards.
Categories
Competitive Awards Outstanding Ensemble Outstanding Solo Performance Outstanding Actor In A Lead Role Outstanding Actress In A Lead Role Outstanding Actor In A Featured Role Outstanding Actress In A Featured Role Outstanding Choreography / Movement Outstanding Director Outstanding Set Design Outstanding Lighting Design Outstanding Costume Design Outstanding Sound Design Outstanding Original Music Outstanding Original Short Script Outstanding Original Full-Length Script Outstanding Performance Art Production Outstanding Production of a Musical Outstanding Production of a Play
Honorary Awards
The Artistic Achievement Award - for significant artistic contribution to the Off-Off-Broadway community. The Ellen Stewart Award - for significant contribution to the Off-Off-Broadway community through service, support and leadership. The Caffe Cino Fellowship Award - for consistent production of outstanding work. The Outstanding Stage Manager Award. The Indie Theater Champion Award - for advancing the independent theater community through positive social justice actions during the past year. The Doric Wilson Independent Playwright Award - for commitment to independent theater.
Ceremony
Season Awards ceremony Location Awards ceremony host(s) 2004–05 Sept. 19, 2005 Lucille Lortel Theatre Charles Busch 2005–06 Sept. 18, 2006 Cooper Union Charles Busch 2006–07 Sept. 24, 2007 Fashion Institute of Technology Julie Halston 2007–08 Sept. 22, 2008 Fashion Institute of Technology Lisa Kron 2008–09 Sept. 21, 2009 New World Stages Julie Halston 2009–10 Sept 20, 2010 Cooper Union Lisa Kron 2010–11 Sept. 19, 2011 Cooper Union Harrison Greenbaum 2011–12 Sept. 24, 2012 Kaye Playhouse Harrison Greenbaum 2012–13 Sept. 30, 2013 Baruch Performing Arts Center Harrison Greenbaum 2013–14 Sept. 24, 2014 Baruch Performing Arts Center Jason Kravits 2014–15 Sept. 21, 2015 Baruch Performing Arts Center Jason Kravits 2015–16 Sept 26. 2016 Kaye Playhouse Jason Kravits 2016–17 Sept. 25, 2017 Gerald Lynch Theater Jason Kravits 2017–18 Sept. 24, 2018 Centennial Memorial Theatre Becca Blackwell 2018–19 Sept. 16, 2019 Centennial Memorial Theatre Bradford Scobie 2019–20 Did not occur due to COVID-19 Pandemic 2020–21 Nov. 14, 2021 Kraine Theater Shalewa Sharpe and Courtney Fearrington 2021–22 Did not occur 2022–23 June 26, 2023 Brooklyn Art Haus Shalewa Sharpe 2023–24Sept. 9, 2024Brooklyn Art Haus
References
External links *Official Website