Outer Critics Circle Will Remove Gender From Award Categories Beginning This Season
The Outer Critics Circle, presenter of one of the precursor awards to the Tonys, will eliminate gender from its award categories, beginning with this season.
In addition, the organization will expand the remaining acting categories to separate performers in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. In the previous configuration, everyone had been considered together in the same categories.
The new configuration is as follows:
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical
Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play
Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play
Outstanding Solo Performance (which is a pre-existing category)
"As the theater community continues to rebuild following the pandemic, the Outer Critics Circle must evolve, too. These changes will help us recognize the many talented actors both on and off-Broadway so we can reach the full potential of our mission, which is to celebrate the artistic excellence of New York's theater scene with integrity and inclusivity," Outer Critics Circle President and TheaterMania editor David Gordon stated on behalf of the OCC board of directors.
Founded during the 1949-50 Broadway season by respected theater journalist John Gassner, the Outer Critics Circle is an esteemed association with members affiliated with more than 90 newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, and online news organizations, in America and abroad.
The 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards will be presented on Thursday, May 25, at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
