# New York Independent Theater Awards

The New York Independent Theater Awards (also known as NYIT Awards and IT Awards) are accolades given annually by The League of Independent Theater to honor individuals and organizations who have achieved artistic excellence in Off-Off-Broadway theatre.
The awards - created by The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation in 2004 - were formerly known as “The New York Innovative Theatre Awards”. They were renamed in 2022 upon the Foundation's merger with The League of Independent Theater, who now administer the awards.

## History

The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation was created in 2004 by Jason Bowcutt, Shay Gines and Nick Micozzi to bring recognition to artistic output and heritage of New York City's Off-Off-Broadway community. The organization advocated for Off-Off-Broadway and recognized the unique and essential role it plays in contributing to American and global culture.
In 2022, the foundation merged with The League of Independent Theater, with the awards renamed The New York Independent Theater Awards.

## Categories

Competitive Awards
* Outstanding Ensemble
* Outstanding Solo Performance
* Outstanding Actor In A Lead Role
* Outstanding Actress In A Lead Role
* Outstanding Actor In A Featured Role
* Outstanding Actress In A Featured Role
* Outstanding Choreography / Movement
* Outstanding Director
* Outstanding Set Design
* Outstanding Lighting Design
* Outstanding Costume Design
* Outstanding Sound Design
* Outstanding Original Music
* Outstanding Original Short Script
* Outstanding Original Full-Length Script
* Outstanding Performance Art Production
* Outstanding Production of a Musical
* Outstanding Production of a Play
Honorary Awards
* The Artistic Achievement Award - for significant artistic contribution to the Off-Off-Broadway community.
* The Ellen Stewart Award - for significant contribution to the Off-Off-Broadway community through service, support and leadership.
* The Caffe Cino Fellowship Award - for consistent production of outstanding work.
* The Outstanding Stage Manager Award.
* The Indie Theater Champion Award - for advancing the independent theater community through positive social justice actions during the past year.
* The Doric Wilson Independent Playwright Award - for commitment to independent theater.

## Ceremony

| Season | Awards ceremony | Location | Awards ceremony host(s) |
| 2004–05 | Sept. 19, 2005 | Lucille Lortel Theatre | Charles Busch |
| 2005–06 | Sept. 18, 2006 | Cooper Union | Charles Busch |
| 2006–07 | Sept. 24, 2007 | Fashion Institute of Technology | Julie Halston |
| 2007–08 | Sept. 22, 2008 | Fashion Institute of Technology | Lisa Kron |
| 2008–09 | Sept. 21, 2009 | New World Stages | Julie Halston |
| 2009–10 | Sept 20, 2010 | Cooper Union | Lisa Kron |
| 2010–11 | Sept. 19, 2011 | Cooper Union | Harrison Greenbaum |
| 2011–12 | Sept. 24, 2012 | Kaye Playhouse | Harrison Greenbaum |
| 2012–13 | Sept. 30, 2013 | Baruch Performing Arts Center | Harrison Greenbaum |
| 2013–14 | Sept. 24, 2014 | Baruch Performing Arts Center | Jason Kravits |
| 2014–15 | Sept. 21, 2015 | Baruch Performing Arts Center | Jason Kravits |
| 2015–16 | Sept 26. 2016 | Kaye Playhouse | Jason Kravits |
| 2016–17 | Sept. 25, 2017 | Gerald Lynch Theater | Jason Kravits |
| 2017–18 | Sept. 24, 2018 | Centennial Memorial Theatre | Becca Blackwell |
| 2018–19 | Sept. 16, 2019 | Centennial Memorial Theatre | Bradford Scobie |
| 2019–20 | Did not occur due to COVID-19 Pandemic | | |
| 2020–21 | Nov. 14, 2021 | Kraine Theater | Shalewa Sharpe and Courtney Fearrington |
| 2021–22 | Did not occur | | |
| 2022–23 | June 26, 2023 | Brooklyn Art Haus | Shalewa Sharpe |
| 2023–24 | Sept. 9, 2024 | Brooklyn Art Haus | |