The Broadway League has officially stepped away from announcing the dimming of marquee lights to memorialize deaths in the Broadway community.

The dimmings, which traditionally honor the legacies of various theatre luminaries in a brief public memorial, became a source of significant controversy in October. Last month, the Broadway League announced that only some theatres on Broadway will dim their lights for Tony winner Gavin Creel and Adrian Bailey. After public outcry, including a petition, the League soon reverse that position, announcing that all marquees in the Theatre District will dim for Creel and Bailey. Bailey's dimming was October 17 while Creel's dimming will be on December 3.

The Broadway League, which was founded to coordinate collaborative efforts between producers and the various theatre-owning groups across Broadway's 41 theatres, will no longer have anything to do with memorial light dimmings—either on the public or the private side of the process. Dimming announcements will now be made by an outside press spokesperson for a new organization called The Broadway Theatre Owners Committee.

While this organization, which offers a united front for the theatre owners who oversee decisions regarding the light-dimming tributes, is a new public facing organization, it is simply a delineation of how dimmings have always been organized in private—among theatre owners. Previously, the informal coalition announcements were released by the League; now, they're on their own. 

The Broadway Theatre Owners Committee consists of representatives from each of the major Broadway landlords, including Nederlander, Shubert, ATG Entertainment, Disney, Lincoln Center Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout Theater Company, Second Stage Theatre, and Circle in the Square.

The process, moving forward, is spelled out as follows. “The Broadway Theatre Owners Committee continues the tradition of Broadway dimming its lights as a gesture of respect and tribute to honor the passing of a prominent figure in the theatre community. When an actor, director, playwright, or other influential figure passes away, Broadway’s theatre owners select a date to dim their venues’ marquee lights, typically for one minute before the evening’s performances. This tradition, dating back to the early 20th century, symbolizes the individual’s contribution to the world of theatre and acknowledges the profound loss felt by the community. It’s a moment for both theatre professionals and audiences to reflect on the legacy and impact of the artist.”