Isabelle Stevenson Award

Isabelle Stevenson Award
Awarded for"recognize an individual from the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations, regardless of whether such organizations relate to the theatre."[1]
LocationNew York City
CountryUnited States
Presented byAmerican Theatre Wing & The Broadway League
Reward(s)Medallion
First awarded2009
Currently held byBilly Porter (2024)
Websitewww.tonyawards.com

The Isabelle Stevenson Award is a non-competitive philanthropic award presented as part of the Tony Awards to "recognize an individual from the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations, regardless of whether such organizations relate to the theatre."[1] It is named for Isabelle Stevenson, a dancer who performed for audiences all round the world and was president and later chairperson of the board of the American Theatre Wing until her death in 2003.[2] A single recipient is chosen by the Tony Award Administration Committee and may not be presented at every ceremony.[1][2] The international press regards the Tony Awards as America's most prestigious theater awards.[3][4]

The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League present the winner with a copy of a circular brass and bronze medallion designed by art director Herman Rosse at an annual award ceremony in New York City.[5][6] The award has been presented annually since the 63rd Tony Awards in 2009.[7] Actress Phyllis Newman was chosen as its inaugural recipient for her work in establishing the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative in 1995 and raising $3.5 million for the organization.[8] Since then, another six women and eight men have received the award and no one has won it more than once.[9] As of the 77th Tony Awards in 2023, which honored theatre over the 2023–24 theater season, actor Billy Porter is the most recent winner in this category for "his work with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Entertainment Community Fund."[10]

  1. ^ a b c Bacalzo, Dan (8 October 2008). "Tony Awards Announce Creation of New Isabelle Stevenson Award". TheaterMania. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Tony Awards Create Award Named for Isabelle Stevenson". Broadway.com. October 8, 2008. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  3. ^ Cavendish, Dominic (June 10, 2018). "Tony Awards 2018: why the British are booming on Broadway". The Sunday Telegraph. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  4. ^ Tran, Diep (May 6, 2019). "Why the Tony Awards Should Recognize Off-Broadway". American Theatre. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  5. ^ Pincus-Roth, Zachary (May 22, 2008). "Ask Playbill.com: Tony Statuettes". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 26, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  6. ^ Harris, Jenna (May 31, 2017). "The Tony Awards – A History and Fun Facts". North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  7. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (October 10, 2008). "Tony Award for Philanthropy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2009Winner was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Winners was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2024Winner was invoked but never defined (see the help page).