The American Theatre Wing has announced details for the 66th Annual Obie Awards, recognizing Off- and Off-Off-Broadway.
The 2022 awards ceremony will celebrate a 2020–22 season and will include shows that have opened since the last Obies ceremony, covering works that opened from July 1, 2020 through August 31, 2022. Another notable change motivated by many theatres' pandemic-pivots is that virtual, digital, and audio work will be eligible for consideration along with in-person productions.
“The bold, insistent spirit of Off- and Off-Off-Broadway has been an inspiration to all of us throughout this particularly challenging moment for live entertainment,” Wing President and CEO Heather Hitchens said in a statement. “Our mission with the 2022 Obies is to support the stories seen on these stages and celebrate the talent and perseverance of the thousands of arts workers who make up this dynamic community.
The awards will be co-chaired by Obie-winning director David Mendizábal and veteran theatre critic Melissa Rose Bernardo. The judges' panel includes actor and fight choreographer Dave Anzuelo, actor and playwright Becca Blackwell, scenic designer Wilson Chin, Obie-winning playwright Haruna Lee, theatre critic and journalist Soraya McDonald, Obie-winning director and playwright Lisa Peterson, Obie-winning actor Heather Alicia Simms, and Obie-winning costume designer Kaye Voyce.
The awards ceremony will take place in November 2022, although an official date and venue will be announced at a later date. For more information or to submit a production for consideration, visit ObieAwards.com.