How did Tony Award get its name?

Tony Awards, annual awards for distinguished achievement in American theatre. Named for the actress-producer Antoinette Perry, the annual awards were established in 1947 by the American Theatre Wing and are intended to recognize excellence in plays and musicals staged on Broadway.

What is the purpose of the Tony Awards?

The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in Midtown Manhattan.

What kind of awards are given at the Tony Awards?

Several discretionary non-competitive awards are also given, including a Special Tony Award, the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, and the Isabelle Stevenson Award. The awards are named after Antoinette “Tony” Perry, co-founder of the American Theatre Wing.

Why are the Tony Awards named after Mary Perry?

Unfortunately, Perry had passed away. It was her work partner Brock Pemberton, a theatre producer and director, that first suggested the award be named in her honor. Perry was a producer and director who was a trailblazer for women in theatre, not letting the male-dominated field stop her for pursuing her dream, and later, her philanthropic work.

When did the Tony Award for sound design start?

On April 24, 2017, the Tony Awards administration committee announced that the Sound Design Award would be reintroduced for the 2017–2018 season. The award was founded in 1947 by a committee of the American Theatre Wing headed by Brock Pemberton.

What does the Antoinette Perry Award stand for?