American Theatre Wing
Encyclopedia
The American Theatre Wing (the Wing for short; originally part of the WWII Allied Relief Fund) is a New York City
-based organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre," according to its mission statement
. ATW created and sponsors the Tony Award
s in theatrical arts.
In 1939, a group of theatrical women led by Rachel Crothers
and Antoinette Perry
founded the organization in Manhattan
. All were active in Broadway theater, as patrons or actors or both, and many had supported the Stage Women's War Relief Fund, an earlier effort. With the entry of the United States
into World War II
, the Wing established the Stage Door Canteen
to entertain American servicemen
.
After the war, the Wing founded the Community Players to assist war veterans and their families on their return home. The Community Players was co-chaired by Katharine Cornell
, who was active on the Stage Door Canteen.
With the close of the war, the Wing concentrated on holding seminars about American theater, and on funding numerous scholarship
grants
. It sponsored the First American Congress of Theatre (FACT) in 1974, and is best known as creator and owner of The American Theatre Wing's Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre -- the Tony Awards—named for its co-founder and wartime Chair
. The initial presentation of its Tony Awards program on radio
and television
was broadcast
only locally in New York City. In 1967, it partnered with the League of American Theatres and Producers, now called The Broadway League
, to present them on nationwide network television. From 1965 until 1998, Isabelle Stevenson was the President of the ATW, and since 1998 was board chairwoman. A special non-competitive Tony Award, for humanitarian or charitable work, is named in her honor (the Isabelle Stevenson Award
).
Besides the Tonys, ATW operates an array of programs to support its goals, including:
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-based organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre," according to its mission statement
Mission statement
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making...
. ATW created and sponsors the Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
s in theatrical arts.
In 1939, a group of theatrical women led by Rachel Crothers
Rachel Crothers
Rachel Crothers was a prolific and successful American playwright and theater director, known for her well-crafted plays. One of the most famous was Susan and God , which was made into a film by MGM in 1940 starring Joan Crawford and Frederic March.Crothers was born in Bloomington, Illinois, USA...
and Antoinette Perry
Antoinette Perry
Antoinette Perry was an actress, director and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing. The Tony Awards are her namesake....
founded the organization in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. All were active in Broadway theater, as patrons or actors or both, and many had supported the Stage Women's War Relief Fund, an earlier effort. With the entry of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
into World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Wing established the Stage Door Canteen
Stage Door Canteen
Stage Door Canteen is a musical film produced by Sol Lesser Productions and distributed by United Artists. It was directed by Frank Borzage and features many cameo appearances by celebrities, and the majority of the film is essentially a filmed concert although there is also a storyline to the...
to entertain American servicemen
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
.
After the war, the Wing founded the Community Players to assist war veterans and their families on their return home. The Community Players was co-chaired by Katharine Cornell
Katharine Cornell
Katharine Cornell was an American stage actress, writer, theater owner and producer. She was born to American parents and raised in Buffalo, New York.Cornell is known as the greatest American stage actress of the 20th century...
, who was active on the Stage Door Canteen.
With the close of the war, the Wing concentrated on holding seminars about American theater, and on funding numerous scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
grants
Grant (money)
Grants are funds disbursed by one party , often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. In order to receive a grant, some form of "Grant Writing" often referred to as either a proposal...
. It sponsored the First American Congress of Theatre (FACT) in 1974, and is best known as creator and owner of The American Theatre Wing's Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre -- the Tony Awards—named for its co-founder and wartime Chair
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
. The initial presentation of its Tony Awards program on radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
was broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
only locally in New York City. In 1967, it partnered with the League of American Theatres and Producers, now called The Broadway League
The Broadway League
The Broadway League, formerly the League of American Theatres and Producers and League of New York Theatres and Producers, is the national trade association for the Broadway theatre industry...
, to present them on nationwide network television. From 1965 until 1998, Isabelle Stevenson was the President of the ATW, and since 1998 was board chairwoman. A special non-competitive Tony Award, for humanitarian or charitable work, is named in her honor (the Isabelle Stevenson Award
Isabelle Stevenson Award
The Isabelle Stevenson Award is a special non-competitive Tony Award. It is given to "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...
).
Besides the Tonys, ATW operates an array of programs to support its goals, including:
- The long-running "Working In The Theatre" series of televised seminars with top practitioners in the field;
- Downstage Center, a weekly radio theatrical interviewInterviewAn interview is a conversation between two people where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.- Interview as a Method for Qualitative Research:"Definition" -...
show on XM Satellite RadioXM Satellite RadioXM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
; - A free audio and video archive of theatrical seminars and discussions at www.americantheatrewing.org;
- The Jonathan Larson Grants, supporting emerging creators of Musical Theatre
- SpringboardNYC, a college to career bootcamp for actors
- The Theatre Intern Group; a social and professional networking organization for Theatre Interns in New York City