(© Michael Portantiere)
The Tony Awards has announced that it has created The Isabellelle Stevenson Award, which will “recognize an individual from the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations, regardless of whether such organizations relate to the theatre.” The non-competitive award will be selected by the Tony Award Administration Committee, in May 2009. It will be presented to one individual per season, and will not necessarily be awarded every season.
Stevenson, who died in 2003 at the age of 90, served as president of the American Theatre Wing from 1966 to 1998, and afterward served as chairman of the board. Throughout her tenure as both President and Chairman, Stevenson volunteered her time, never drawing a salary or honorarium.
The Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony from Radio City Music Hall on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 7, 2009.
For more information, visit www.TonyAwards.com.
