Isabelle Stevenson Award

The Isabelle Stevenson Award is a non-competitive philanthropic award presented as part of the Tony Awards to "recognize 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 whether such organizations relate to the theatre."^[1] It is named for Isabelle Stevenson, a dancer who performed for audiences all round the world and was president and later chairperson of the board of the American Theatre Wing until her death in 2003.^[2] A single recipient is chosen by the Tony Award Administration Committee and may not be presented at every ceremony.^[1][2] The international press regards the Tony Awards as America's most prestigious theater awards.^[3][4]

Isabelle Stevenson Award
Awarded for	"recognize 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 whether such organizations relate to the theatre."[1]
Location	New York City
Country	United States
Presented by	American Theatre Wing & The Broadway League
Reward(s)	Medallion
First award	2009
Currently held by	Celia Keenan-Bolger (2025)
Website	www.tonyawards.com

The American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League present the winner with a copy of a circular brass and bronze medallion designed by art director Herman Rosse at an annual award ceremony in New York City.^[5][6] The award has been presented annually since the 63rd Tony Awards in 2009.^[7] Actress Phyllis Newman was chosen as its inaugural recipient for her work in establishing the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative in 1995 and raising $3.5 million for the organization.^[8] Since then, another six women and eight men have received the award and no one has won it more than once.^[9] As of the 78th Tony Awards in 2024, actor Celia Keenan-Bolger is the most recent winner in this category.

Recipients

Winners of the Isabelle Stevenson Award^[9]

Year	Image	Recipient(s)	Notes	Ref
2009		Phyllis Newman	Newman established The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative in 1995 and raised $3.5 million for it.	[8]
2010		David Hyde Pierce	Pierce is an honorary member of the national board of the Alzheimer's Association and a campaigner for research into Alzheimer's disease.	[10]
2011		Eve Ensler	Ensler established the V-Day global movement to stop violence against girls and women through awareness and education.	[11]
2012		Bernadette Peters	Peters co-formed the animal charity Broadway Barks with actress Mary Tyler Moore to lobby for the adoption of animal shelters for homeless pets in New York City.	[12]
2013		Larry Kramer	Kramer co-founded the Gay Men's Health Crisis and later established ACT UP, an international activist and direct action network to develop treatments of HIV/AIDS.	[13]
2014		Rosie O'Donnell	O'Donnell established the non-profit arts education organization Rosie's Broadway Kids (now Rosie's Theater Kids) in 2003 to allow New York City public school students to learn dance, drama and music.	[14]
2015		Stephen Schwartz	Schwartz fostered upcoming writers as a long-time board member of the ASCAP Foundation and the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop. He assisted in developing new partnerships as president of the Dramatists Guild of America.	[15]
2016		Brian Stokes Mitchell	Mitchell supported those in the entertainment field who had or were in a crisis or in transition in the industry through his efforts for the Actors Fund of America.	[16]
2017		Baayork Lee	Lee founded the National Asian Artists Project to promote Asian-American theater artists through community outreach, educational programming and performances.	[17]
2018	–	Nick Scandalios	Scandalios, executive vice-president of Nederlander Organization, one of the largest theater operators in the United States, volunteers with the board of directors for the Family Equality Council to safeguard the rights and safety of LGBT families and their children.	[18]
2019		Judith Light	Light is an HIV/AIDS advocate and a supporter of LBGT rights through her work in philanthropy.	[19]
2020		Julie Halston	Halston was honored "for her work and advocacy in raising funding and awareness for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation."	[20]
2022	–	Robert E. Wankel	Wankel received recognition for his support of The Actors Fund, Broadway Cares, American Academy of Dramatic Arts and for "his generosity and service to the welfare of our Broadway community, over the past four decades and, especially in the face of a global crisis, is immeasurable."	[21]
2023	–	Jerry Mitchell	Mitchell was recognized for "his dedication and contributions to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and for more than three decades of volunteer service through the arts."	[22]
2024		Billy Porter	Porter was honored for "his work with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Entertainment Community Fund."	[23]
2025		Celia Keenan-Bolger	Keenan-Bolger was recognized for "her extensive advocacy work for marriage equality, President Obama, and more."	[24]

See also

• Special Tony Award
• Society of London Theatre Special Award