New York Independent Theater Awards


The New York Independent Theater 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.
WWW Official Site

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

SeasonAwards ceremonyLocationAwards ceremony host
2004–05Sept. 19, 2005Lucille Lortel TheatreCharles Busch
2005–06Sept. 18, 2006Cooper UnionCharles Busch
2006–07Sept. 24, 2007Fashion Institute of TechnologyJulie Halston
2007–08Sept. 22, 2008Fashion Institute of TechnologyLisa Kron
2008–09Sept. 21, 2009New World StagesJulie Halston
2009–10Sept 20, 2010Cooper UnionLisa Kron
2010–11Sept. 19, 2011Cooper UnionHarrison Greenbaum
2011–12Sept. 24, 2012Kaye PlayhouseHarrison Greenbaum
2012–13Sept. 30, 2013Baruch Performing Arts CenterHarrison Greenbaum
2013–14Sept. 24, 2014Baruch Performing Arts CenterJason Kravits
2014–15Sept. 21, 2015Baruch Performing Arts CenterJason Kravits
2015–16Sept 26. 2016Kaye PlayhouseJason Kravits
2016–17Sept. 25, 2017Gerald Lynch TheaterJason Kravits
2017–18Sept. 24, 2018Centennial Memorial TheatreBecca Blackwell
2018–19Sept. 16, 2019Centennial Memorial TheatreBradford Scobie
2019–20Did not occur due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2020–21Nov. 14, 2021Kraine TheaterShalewa Sharpe and Courtney Fearrington
2021–22Did not occur
2022–23June 26, 2023Brooklyn Art HausShalewa Sharpe
2023–24Sept. 9, 2024Brooklyn Art Haus