Tony Awards History

The first Tony Awards ceremony was held over 65 years ago, in the year 1947 by the American Theatre Wing. The purpose of the ceremony was to recognize the greatest talents and performers of theatre and so the history of the Tony Awards began.

The awards received their name after former actress Antoinette Perry, who became a director and a producer in the later years of her life. As one of the most important figures in theatre at that time and one of the only women to achieve success in directing, the American Theatre Wing named the awards after their former leader.

Set inside a hotel ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria the first attendants at the awards were present for a social event that included dancing, dining and entertainment. The night turned to awards show as 11 prizes were offered to those responsible for authoring, directing, composing for and acting in some of the greatest theatre pieces of the year. Arthur Miller, Ingrid Bergman, Elia Kazan and Helen Hayes were among the first winners and made the Tony Awards history.

From 1947 to 1955 the Tony Awards became an annual event to recognize astounding talent and achievement in theatre and it was presented over the radio from different locations. The initial ceremonies were actually gala dinners with very few attendants. In 1956 the Tony Awards were presented on television for the first time.

Years passed and so did the chairwoman of the American Theatre Wing but with the renewal of her position and technological improvements, in 1966 the Tony Awards were broadcast for the first time on television for the whole country to see. The ceremony began to grow with every edition and the locations changed to better and better venues.

Today the Tony Awards have millions of viewers who cheer from their homes for some of the greatest performers and professionals in theatre, keeping the original enjoyment of the very first Tony Awards in history.