American Theatre Wing vs. The Broadway League: Who Runs the Tony Awards?

The Tony Awards are often described as "presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing." The two names appear together so often that many fans assume they're one organization. They're not. Here's who each one is and how they share the Tonys.

The short answer

The American Theatre Wing is a not-for-profit service organization that supports theatre artists and education. The Broadway League is the national trade association for the commercial theatre industry. The Wing created the Tonys in 1947, and the two have presented them together since 1967.

Side by side

• What it is. The Wing: a nonprofit service organization. The League: a trade association for producers, theatre owners, presenters and others in the business of Broadway.
• Founded. The Wing traces its roots to 1917. The League was founded in 1930, and was long known as the League of New York Theatres.
• Who it serves. The Wing serves theatre artists, students and early-career professionals. The League serves its members and the Broadway industry, including Broadway tours across North America.
• Main work. The Wing runs grants, scholarships, training and education media. The League negotiates with theatre unions, publishes attendance and grosses research, and promotes Broadway to audiences.
• Tony role. Both co-present the awards and appoint members of the committees that run them.

How the Tonys became a partnership

The Wing launched the Antoinette Perry Awards in 1947, with a dinner at the Waldorf Astoria. For two decades the Wing ran the awards alone. In 1967, under president Isabelle Stevenson, the Wing invited the League to co-present the Tonys, the same year the ceremony moved to network television.

In 1987 the two organizations formed Tony Award Productions, a joint venture that still produces the awards and related events.

Who decides the rules and the winners?

The Tony Awards Administration Committee sets the rules each season. Most of its members are appointed by the Wing and the League in equal numbers, with additional seats for theatre unions and guilds. That committee also appoints the independent nominating committee and can give non-competitive honors such as the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award.

Voting is wider. Tony voters include voting members of the League, members of the Wing's board and advisory committee, and members of the governing boards of several theatre unions and guilds. Our guide to who votes for the Tony Awards breaks this down.

Why the difference matters

If you want to support theatre artists and education directly, the American Theatre Wing is a charity you can donate to. The Broadway League is an industry association, so it isn't usually where fans give. To find a cause that fits you, see how to choose a Broadway charity.

Where Broadway for Democracy fits

Broadway for Democracy is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) that works on a different question: how Broadway's audience shows up for democracy. We help theatregoers register, get informed and vote, without ever telling anyone how to vote. See how Broadway's nonprofits fit together.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns the Tony Awards?

The Tonys are presented by Tony Award Productions, a joint venture of the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.

Is The Broadway League a nonprofit?

The League is a trade association that represents the commercial theatre industry. It isn't a charity like the American Theatre Wing.

Why are they called the "American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards"?

The Wing created the awards in 1947 and named them for Antoinette Perry, its wartime leader. The name reflects that history, even though the League has co-presented since 1967.

Are the Wing and the League the same organization?

No. They're independent organizations with different missions that partner on the Tonys.

Broadway's audience can do more than applaud. Donate to Broadway for Democracy to help us reach more theatregoers and inspire civic action.