Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play


The Outer Critics Circle Award for Direction of a Play, formerly the award for Director of a Play, is an annual award given to the best director of a play on Broadway or Off-Broadway, as determined by Outer Critics Circle. The award has been given out since the 1992–1993 season, when the Best Director award split and renamed into musical and play categories. In 2024, the award was renamed to Outstanding Direction of a Play.
Jack O'Brien has won the most awards, with four, followed by Daniel J. Sullivan, Joe Mantello, Nicholas Hytner, Marianne Elliott and Sam Mendes with two awards each. Daniel J. Sullivan has received the most nominations with eight each, followed by Jack O'Brien and Joe Mantello with six and five nominations, respectively.

Award winners

;Key

1990s

YearDirectorProductionRef.
1993---
1993Daniel J. SullivanThe Sisters Rosensweig
1994---
1994George C. WolfeAngels in America and Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992
1995---
1995Joe MantelloLove! Valour! Compassion!
1996---
1996Lloyd RichardsSeven Guitars
1997---
1997John CairdStanley
1997Anthony PageA Doll's House
1997Daniel J. SullivanAn American Daughter
1997Ron LagomarsinoThe Last Night of Ballyhoo
1998---
1998Michael MayerA View from the Bridge and Side Man
1998Matthew WarchusArt
1998Ethan McSweenyNever the Sinner
1998Garry HynesThe Beauty Queen of Leenane
1999---
1999Howard DaviesThe Iceman Cometh
1999Robert FallsDeath of a Salesman
1999Patrick MarberCloser
1999Trevor NunnNot About Nightingales

Multiple wins

;4 wins
;2 wins

Multiple nominations

;8 nominations
;6 nominations
;5 nominations
;4 nominations
;3 nominations
;2 nominations