Theatre Award season kicks into high gear this week. A slate of nominations announcements for the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway productions and talent continue with the Outer Circle Awards on April 24th and the coveted Drama Desk Awards on April 26th. The awards lineup includes the Obies, Outer Circle Critics Awards, and the Drama Desk Awards — all leading up to the industry’s biggest prize — The American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards.

The Outer Critics Circle Awards bestows awards of excellence in the field of theatre. The organization is comprised of writers and commentators that cover theatre for newspapers, publications and other media outlets outside of New York. Now in its 68th season, this year’s winners will be announced on Monday, May 7th with the Annual Gala Awards Dinner (3PM) and presentation of awards to the winners on May 24th at the legendary Sardi’s Restaurant.

The Obie Awards recognize the best of Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway. Awards are given to individuals and productions in a variety of categories. Created in 1955 by The Village Voice’s first theatre critic, today the Obies are co-presented by The Village Voice and The American Theatre Wing. This year’s Awards ceremony takes place on May 21st at New York City’s Terminal Five.

The Drama Desk Awards are the only major New York City theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway compete against each other in the same category. Known as the unofficial indicator of who will win the prestigious Tony Awards, the Drama Desks are voted on and bestowed by theater critics, journalists, editors and publishers covering theater. The organization was originally created in 1949 to educate the community on vital issues concerning the theater. This year’s awards ceremony presented by Theatremania.com will be held June 3rd at New York’s Town Hall.

theatre award season kicks into high gear

The Tony Awards® are theatre’s most prestigious honor. The American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards® began in 1947 when the Wing established an awards program to celebrate excellence in the theatre. It was named for Antoinette Perry, an actress, director, producer, and dynamic wartime leader of the American Theatre Wing. Today, the Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing – a tradition that began in 1967. Nominations for the 2018 Tony Awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 1st. The 2018 Tony Awards will be presented live on Sunday, June 10th at the iconic Radio City Music Hall.

Theatre has Socially Sparked® our lives in all its forms throughout the centuries. From the days of limited public access to awards nomination announcements and awards ceremonies to the advent of live television to the the age of technology, digital real-time reporting, social media and live streaming, now everyone around the world can have first hand access to theatre’s awards season as it happens. — We are Socially Sparked! Tweet us @sosparkednews