The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play is an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements in the theatre across collective Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City.
| Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play |
| Location | New York City |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Drama Desk |
| First award | 2023 |
| Currently held by |
|
| Website | dramadesk |
From 1955 to 1974, acting awards were given only for lead performances, without making distinctions between roles in plays and musicals, nor between actors and actresses. From 1975 to 2022, acting awards were presented in eight categories: separate categories by gender; further divided by lead or featured performer; producing four acting awards each for plays and musicals.
In 2023, the Drama Desk organization announced that, starting with that year's awards, the eight acting categories had been retired and replaced with four gender neutral categories with twice the winners and nominees: separate categories by lead or featured performer; producing two acting categories each for plays and musicals.[1] The former awards for Outstanding Actor in a Play and Outstanding Actress in a Play were merged to create this Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play category.
Winners and nominees
edit- Key
2020s
editMultiple nominations
edit- 2 nominations
References
edit- ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 26, 2023). "Drama Desk Awards Go Gender Neutral". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ↑ "2023 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ↑ Logan Culwell-Block (May 31, 2023). "Some Like It Hot Dominates 2023 Drama Desk Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ↑ "2024 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ↑ Logan Culwell-Block (June 10, 2024). "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Drama Desk Awards With 7 Wins Including Outstanding Play". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ↑ "2025 Awards – Nominees and Recipients". Drama Desk. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ↑ Logan Culwell-Block (June 1, 2025). "Drama Desk Award Winners 2025: The Full List". Playbill. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List". Broadway.com. April 29, 2026. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (May 17, 2026). "Ragtime Leads 2026 Drama Desk Awards; Read the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
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