Tony Awards Create Award Named for Isabelle Stevenson

The Tony Awards has announced the inception of the Isabelle Stevenson Award, a new non-competitive award that will recognize an individual from the theater community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations, not necessarily theater related. Named for the longtime President of the American Theatre Wing, who died in 2003 at age 90, this is the first new non-competitive Tony category since the 1990 introduction of Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre. The recipient of the first Isabelle Stevenson Award will be selected by the Tony Award Administration Committee in May 2009. The award will be presented to one individual per season, and will not necessarily be awarded every season. The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and The American Theatre Wing.

"Isabelle Stevenson truly exemplified the role of a volunteer, leading the Wing for more than three decades out of her passion for the theater, not for any reward,” Howard Sherman, Executive Director of the American Theatre Wing, said in a statement. “It is very possible that there wouldn't be an American Theatre Wing today were it not for Isabelle. It is truly fitting that someone who was so influential on the Tony Awards over so many years will now be commemorated by the Tonys—with that honor simultaneously recognizing others in the theatrical community who have helped great organizations advancing great causes to reach their own goals."

"Members of the Broadway community have historically served others outside the theater industry in addition to helping their own. We are thrilled that this new award will acknowledge the great lady, Isabelle Stevenson, who generously dedicated her time and energy to helping many people in numerous ways,” Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League, said in a statement. “Her tireless support for education and initiatives that nurtured artists significantly enhanced our culture. Since she set a precedent that inspired so many, the list of potential recipients will be long!"

In 1965, Isabelle Stevenson became president of the American Theatre Wing for what was expected to be an interim period. She quickly became one of the theater world’s most celebrated and committed advocates, serving as the President of The American Theatre Wing for 33 years, and subsequently becoming Chairman of Board in 1998. Throughout her tenure as both President and Chairman, Ms. Stevenson volunteered her time, never drawing a salary or honorarium. In her younger years, Stevenson was a celebrated dancer and performed internationally in such shows as Earl Carroll's Vanities, Florenz Ziegfeld's Follies and George White's Scandals.