The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced that they will present the 2024 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre to five outstanding contributors to the Broadway industry – Wendall K. Harrington, Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Judith O. Rubin, the Dramatists Guild Foundation, and the Friedman Health Center.
The Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre were established in 1990 and are awarded annually to institutions, individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theater but are not eligible in any of the established Tony Award categories.
“It is a pleasure to present the 2024 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre to these five unsung heroes doing invaluable work behind the scenes in the theater community,” said Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing. “Wendall K. Harrington’s projection design masterpieces; Colleen Jennings-Roggernsack’s unwavering dedication to promoting artists and advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and access in the theater; Judith O. Rubin’s passionate advocacy for culture; the Dramatists Guild Foundation’s life-changing support to theater writers; and the Friedman Health Center’s commitment to the wellness of the community have been pivotal to the success of countless productions and we are thrilled they are getting the recognition they deserve with this special honor.”
Wendall K. Harrington’s career has embraced many diverse disciplines including theater, publishing and multi-image/video design and production and academia. As a designer of scenic projections for the stage, her work has been seen on Broadway including Paradise Square, Annie, All the Way, Driving Miss Daisy, Grey Gardens, In My Life, The Good Body, Drowning Crow, They’re Playing Our Song, The Elephant Man, among others. In 1993, Ms. Harrington designed the projections for the award-winning The Who’s Tommy on Broadway, which toured the U.S. in 1994, and has had productions in Toronto, London and Frankfurt, Germany.
Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, arts leader and visionary, is Vice President for Cultural Affairs at ASU and Executive Director of ASU Gammage, leads artistic and administrative responsibilities for ASU Gammage and other venues. She co-leads ASU’s Advisory Council on African American Affairs, serves on The Broadway League’s Board of Governors as Vice Chair of the Road, has participated in the American Theatre Wing video panels, and is Arizona’s only Tony voter. Additionally, Colleen serves on the Broadway Green Alliance, ATPAM/Broadway Diversity Initiative and Creative Connections with SDCF. She also serves on the Black Theatre United Summit and the 7G Committee.
Judith O. Rubin has been deeply involved in various cultural arts organizations for decades. She served as chair on the Playwrights Horizons, served on the National Council on the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts. She’s also been a member of several advisory commissions and boards, including the Tony Awards Administration Committee and the American Theatre Wing. This June, Rubin will step down as board chair of Playwrights Horizons after a remarkable 32-year tenure.
Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) is a national charity that fuels the future of American theater by supporting the writers and composers who create it. Founded in 1962 by Alan Jay Lerner, DGF (then “Dramatists Guild Fund”) was created with two goals in mind: To provide grants to theater writers and to support theaters producing original works by American playwrights. Now, DGF supports playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists at all stages of their careers through educational programs; awards, grants, and stipends; free space to create new works; and emergency aid to writers in need of immediate support.
The Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts is the medical care provider for New York City’s entertainment community. Operated in partnership with The Entertainment Community Fund and Mount Sinai Doctors and conveniently located in Times Square, The Friedman Health Center is the only health center in NYC solely focused on the particular health care needs of those who work in performing arts and entertainment. It offers primary and specialty care, expedited referrals within the Mount Sinai Health System, extended hours and continuity of care for those who experience regular changes in health insurance coverage.
The Tony Awards® Administration Committee has announced that, based on the recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association, The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will be the recipient of the 2024 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The honor, recognizing a regional theatre company that has displayed a continuous level of artistic achievement contributing to the growth of theatre nationally, is accompanied by a grant of $25,000, made possible by City National Bank’s generous support.
“We are delighted to announce The Wilma Theater as the recipient of the 2024 Regional Theatre Tony Award,” said Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Jason Laks, interim president of the Broadway League. “The Wilma has made outstanding contributions to the world of theatre over the course of 45 years, maintaining an unwavering dedication to contemporary theatre and a commitment to the arts that began with its visionary introduction of avant-garde theatre to Philadelphia in 1979.”
Established in 1973 as The Wilma Project, the Wilma challenged the Philadelphia cultural community to create theatrical productions of original material and to develop local artists.
In 1979 Blanka and Jiri Zizka became artist-in-residence bringing innovative works to the stage. In 1981, the Zizkas assumed artistic leadership of the organization. Over the years, the Wilma Theater established a national reputation for provocative theater.
Though under new leadership today, the Wilma continues their work to be a catalyst for catharsis, a catalyst for conversation, and a catalyst for change.
