In 1958, the lights came up on the 10 x 10 foot stage of the Caffe Cino in Greenwich Village, and Off-Off Broadway was born. In the past 49 years, this influential arts scene has attracted some of the most talented and courageous artists from across the country, and has spawned the successful careers of countless performers, directors, playwrights, and designers.
Today Off-Off-Broadway continues to be one of the largest arts communities in the world, made up of an estimated 40,000 theatre artists working in an array of theatrical genres and performance styles. Approximately 500 independent and non-profit theatre companies produce 2,000 shows for an estimated 1.5 million audience members in New York City each year!
The New York Innovative Theatre Awards ("The IT Awards") were founded to bring recognition to these individuals and organizations, to honor the artistic heritage of Off-Off-Broadway and to provide a meeting ground for this large and once-disparate group of artists to come together. The organization recognizes the unique and essential role Off-Off-Broadway plays in contributing to the theatrical landscape of New York City as well as American and global cultures. We believe that publicly recognizing excellence in Off-Off-Broadway will expand audience awareness and appreciation of the full New York theatre experience.
In an annual awards ceremony, the IT Awards honor these individuals and organizations who have achieved artistic excellence in the Off-Off-Broadway theatre. Recipients are recognized by their peers and presented with Individual, Production, and Honorary awards by artists who have greatly contributed to the legacy of American Theatre.
