The Drama League to present The Gratitude Awards Spring 2020

The NYC fundraiser will take the place of The 86th Annual Drama League Awards.

The Drama League has announced that it will present a one-time-only digital fundraiser this spring, in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, under the name of The Gratitude Awards Spring 2020.

An official statement reads: "Although The Drama League's mission offers support directly to stage directors, they are the champions of performers, designers, theater workers, and administrators who all come together to make theater happen. This digital event will celebrate and be inclusive of participation from all workers in the theater community, while funding the many opportunities stage directors will need so they can lead shows back onto stages and audiences back into seats. As long as we continue to stand together, keep the ghost light on, and support one another, we are all winners."

The fundraiser replaces The 86th Annual Drama League Awards ceremony, which was scheduled to be held on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 11:30am at the Marriott Marquis Times Square's Broadway Ballroom. The previously reported nominations announcement scheduled for April 16 will also no longer be going ahead. But The Drama League has vowed to bring back the usual awards ceremony at "an appropriate time."  

The Drama League Awards were first awarded back in 1922 and were formalised as such in 1935, becoming the oldest theatrical honors in the United States. They remain the only major theatergoer awards chosen together by both industry professionals and audience members — specifically, by the thousands of Drama League members nationwide who attend Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.

More details on The Gratitude Awards Spring 2020 will be released in the coming weeks.