Export your learner materials as an interactive game, a webpage, or FAQ style cheatsheet.
Unsaved Work Found!
It looks like you have unsaved work from a previous session. Would you like to restore it?
Total Categories: 5
The Drama Desk Awards were established in 1955 by a collective of theatre critics and journalists.
Answer: True
The Drama Desk organization, comprising New York City-based theatre critics, journalists, editors, and publishers, was founded in 1949, and the awards were established in 1955 to recognize excellence in theatre.
The awards were originally known as the Tony Awards.
Answer: False
The awards were initially known as the Vernon Rice Awards, named after a critic who championed off-Broadway productions, not the Tony Awards.
The initial scope of the Drama Desk Awards was exclusively focused on Broadway productions.
Answer: False
The Drama Desk Awards initially focused on Off-Broadway productions. Broadway productions were incorporated into their scope later, by the 1968-1969 season.
The Vernon Rice Awards were named after a prominent Broadway producer.
Answer: False
The original awards, known as the Vernon Rice Awards, were named after Vernon Rice, a critic for the New York Post recognized for his advocacy of off-Broadway productions, not a producer.
Broadway productions became eligible for Drama Desk Awards starting in the 1963-1964 season.
Answer: False
While the awards were renamed the Drama Desk Awards in the 1963-1964 season, Broadway productions were not included in their scope until the 1968-1969 season.
What was the original name given to the Drama Desk Awards?
Answer: The Vernon Rice Awards
The awards were initially known as the Vernon Rice Awards, named in honor of a critic who was a notable advocate for off-Broadway theater.
Why were the original awards named the Vernon Rice Awards?
Answer: Vernon Rice was a critic known for championing off-Broadway productions.
The original awards were named the Vernon Rice Awards in recognition of Vernon Rice, a critic for the New York Post who was instrumental in championing off-Broadway theater.
By which season did the Drama Desk Awards begin to include Broadway productions?
Answer: 1968-1969
Although the awards were renamed the Drama Desk Awards in the 1963-1964 season, Broadway productions were officially included in their scope starting with the 1968-1969 season.
The voting body for the Drama Desk Awards comprises approximately 130 New York theater critics and editors.
Answer: True
The voting membership of the Drama Desk organization consists of over 130 New York City-based theatre critics, journalists, editors, and publishers.
The Drama Desk organization was incorporated as a not-for-profit entity in 1974.
Answer: True
The Drama Desk organization formalized its structure by incorporating as a not-for-profit entity in 1974.
Who are the members of the Drama Desk organization responsible for voting on the awards?
Answer: New York City-based theatre critics, journalists, editors, and publishers.
The voting body for the Drama Desk Awards consists of over 130 New York City-based theatre critics, journalists, editors, and publishers who voluntarily participate in the selection process.
How many members are part of the voting body for the Drama Desk Awards?
Answer: Over 130
The voting body for the Drama Desk Awards comprises more than 130 individuals, consisting of New York theater critics, journalists, editors, and publishers.
What is the purpose of the Drama Desk organization, according to its founding goals?
Answer: To discuss industry issues and support New York theater development.
Founded in 1949, the Drama Desk organization's initial objectives were to address significant issues within the theatrical industry and to foster the development of New York theater.
The scope of the Drama Desk Awards is limited exclusively to Broadway productions.
Answer: False
The Drama Desk Awards encompass productions from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway, evaluating them within unified categories, thereby demonstrating a broad scope rather than exclusivity to Broadway.
A defining characteristic of the Drama Desk Awards is their inclusive evaluation of productions across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway.
Answer: True
The Drama Desk Awards are distinguished by their comprehensive approach, evaluating productions from all major New York theater venues—Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway—on an equal basis.
In 2023, the Drama Desk Awards implemented gender-specific performance categories.
Answer: False
Contrary to the statement, in 2023, the Drama Desk Awards adopted gender-neutral performance categories, moving away from gender-specific distinctions.
The Drama Desk Awards currently utilize gender-specific categories for lead and featured performances.
Answer: False
As of 2023, the Drama Desk Awards have transitioned to gender-neutral categories for lead and featured performances, moving away from gender-specific distinctions.
The Drama Desk Awards recognize Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Revival of a Musical.
Answer: True
The awards include specific categories for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Revival of a Musical, acknowledging excellence in these theatrical forms.
The Drama Desk Awards have retired categories such as Outstanding Actor in a Play and Outstanding Actress in a Musical.
Answer: True
Over time, certain categories have been retired by the Drama Desk Awards, including specific gendered acting categories like Outstanding Actor in a Play and Outstanding Actress in a Musical.
The Tony Awards are the only major theater awards presented in New York City.
Answer: False
New York City hosts several major theater awards ceremonies, including the Drama Desk Awards, Lucille Lortel Awards, Obie Awards, and others, in addition to the Tony Awards.
What is the primary significance of the Drama Desk Awards in the New York theater scene?
Answer: They are considered one of the most esteemed honors, celebrating achievements across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway.
The Drama Desk Awards hold significant prestige as they honor outstanding achievements across all levels of New York theater—Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway—within unified categories.
What distinguishes the Drama Desk Awards from many other theater awards?
Answer: They evaluate Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway productions on an equal basis.
A key distinguishing feature of the Drama Desk Awards is their commitment to evaluating and honoring excellence across all segments of New York theater—Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway—within a unified framework.
What significant change was made to the performance categories in 2023?
Answer: Adoption of gender-neutral performance categories.
In 2023, the Drama Desk Awards implemented a significant reform by adopting gender-neutral categories for all performance awards, reflecting a contemporary approach to recognizing talent.
Which of the following is a retired category from the Drama Desk Awards?
Answer: Outstanding Actor in a Play
The category 'Outstanding Actor in a Play' is among those that have been retired by the Drama Desk Awards.
What is the significance of comparing the Drama Desk Awards to the Golden Globes?
Answer: It highlights the Drama Desk Awards' high prestige and importance in the theater community.
The comparison of the Drama Desk Awards to the Golden Globe Awards serves to underscore the significant prestige and importance of the Drama Desk Awards within the American theater community.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a technical or creative category for the Drama Desk Awards?
Answer: Outstanding Musical Direction
While categories like Outstanding Orchestrations, Outstanding Wig and Hair Design, and Outstanding Sound Design are recognized, Outstanding Musical Direction is not explicitly listed among the technical or creative categories provided.
What does the Drama Desk Awards' inclusion of Off-Off-Broadway productions signify?
Answer: A commitment to recognizing talent across all levels of New York theater.
The inclusion of Off-Off-Broadway productions signifies the Drama Desk Awards' dedication to acknowledging artistic merit and talent across the entire spectrum of New York's theatrical landscape.
What change occurred in 2023 regarding the number of nominees and winners in performance categories?
Answer: Each category now features twice as many nominees and recognizes two winners.
Following the 2023 reform, each gender-neutral performance category now includes twice the number of nominees and recognizes two distinct winners.
The Drama Desk Awards are considered comparable in prestige to which other major awards?
Answer: The Golden Globe Awards (in the context of theatre)
The Drama Desk Awards are often compared in prestige to the Golden Globe Awards, particularly in their significance within the theater community, highlighting their esteemed status.
Which of the following categories has been retired by the Drama Desk Awards?
Answer: Outstanding Director
The category 'Outstanding Director' is among those that have been retired by the Drama Desk Awards.
Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins are among the artists who received early recognition from the Drama Desk Awards.
Answer: True
The Drama Desk Awards have a history of recognizing emerging talent, with artists such as Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins being among those who received early acclaim.
The musical 'Hamilton' received Drama Desk Awards recognition only after achieving significant mainstream success.
Answer: False
The musical 'Hamilton' was recognized by the Drama Desk Awards early in its run, prior to or concurrent with its widespread mainstream success, highlighting the awards' role in identifying significant works.
The Town Hall in New York City hosted the Drama Desk Awards ceremonies for several seasons between 2016 and 2020.
Answer: True
The Town Hall served as the venue for the Drama Desk Awards ceremonies during the seasons spanning from 2016-17 through 2019-20.
The Drama Desk Awards were presented in the 2020-21 season despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer: False
No Drama Desk Awards were presented during the 2020-21 season due to the unprecedented closure of New York theaters caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sutton Foster and Aaron Tveit hosted the 2023-24 Drama Desk Awards ceremony.
Answer: True
The 2023-24 Drama Desk Awards ceremony was hosted by the distinguished performers Sutton Foster and Aaron Tveit.
LaGuardia Concert Hall hosted the Drama Desk Awards ceremonies for multiple seasons between 2010 and 2016.
Answer: True
The Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School's LaGuardia Concert Hall served as the venue for the Drama Desk Awards ceremonies across several seasons from 2010-11 to 2015-16.
Harvey Fierstein has hosted the Drama Desk Awards ceremony more than once.
Answer: True
Records indicate that Harvey Fierstein has indeed hosted the Drama Desk Awards ceremony on multiple occasions, including the 2010-11 season.
Patti LuPone hosted the Drama Desk Awards ceremony in the 2009-10 season.
Answer: True
The esteemed performer Patti LuPone served as the host for the Drama Desk Awards ceremony during the 2009-10 season.
The 2007-08 Drama Desk Awards ceremony was uniquely hosted by a single, well-known actor.
Answer: False
The 2007-08 Drama Desk Awards ceremony was uniquely hosted not by a single actor, but by the cast of the musical 'Title of Show'.
The Drama Desk Awards ceremony in the 1997-98 season was hosted by Bernadette Peters.
Answer: False
The source indicates that the Drama Desk Awards ceremony in the 1997-98 season did not have a designated host.
In 2025, Sarah Snook won for her performance in 'Dorian Gray' at the Drama Desk Awards.
Answer: True
The 2025 Drama Desk Awards recognized Sarah Snook for her performance in 'Dorian Gray'.
Which of the following artists is mentioned as having received early recognition from the Drama Desk Awards?
Answer: Nathan Lane
Nathan Lane is cited as one of the notable artists who received early recognition from the Drama Desk Awards before achieving widespread mainstream acclaim.
Which venue served as the host for the Drama Desk Awards ceremonies from the 2016-17 season through the 2019-20 season?
Answer: The Town Hall
The Town Hall in New York City was the venue for the Drama Desk Awards ceremonies for the seasons spanning 2016-17 to 2019-20.
Why were no Drama Desk Awards presented during the 2020-21 season?
Answer: The COVID-19 pandemic caused New York theaters to close.
The 2020-21 season saw no presentation of the Drama Desk Awards due to the widespread closure of New York theaters resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Which venue hosted the Drama Desk Awards ceremonies for multiple seasons between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons?
Answer: The LaGuardia Concert Hall
The Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School's LaGuardia Concert Hall served as the venue for the Drama Desk Awards ceremonies for multiple seasons during the period of 2010-11 through 2015-16.
Who hosted the Drama Desk Awards ceremony in the 2009-10 season?
Answer: Patti LuPone
The distinguished actress Patti LuPone hosted the Drama Desk Awards ceremony in the 2009-10 season.
What was unique about the hosting of the 2007-08 Drama Desk Awards?
Answer: It was hosted by the cast of the musical 'Title of Show'.
The 2007-08 Drama Desk Awards ceremony featured a unique hosting arrangement, with the cast of the musical 'Title of Show' serving as hosts.
The Drama Desk Awards intend to expand their recognition to encompass regional theater across the United States, commencing in 2027.
Answer: True
Plans are in place for the Drama Desk Awards to broaden their scope by including regional theater throughout the United States starting in 2027, aiming to become a national honor.
The official website for the Drama Desk Awards is dramadesk.org.
Answer: True
The official online presence for the Drama Desk Awards can be found at the domain dramadesk.org.
The Drama Desk Awards are presented annually in London.
Answer: False
The Drama Desk Awards are presented annually within the United States, specifically in New York City, not in London.
Keith Sherman & Associates is responsible for selecting the nominees for the Drama Desk Awards.
Answer: False
Keith Sherman & Associates serves as the long-standing press agency representing the Drama Desk Awards, rather than being involved in the selection of nominees.
What is the intended future expansion of the Drama Desk Awards?
Answer: To include regional theater across the United States starting in 2027.
The Drama Desk Awards have outlined plans to expand their recognition to include regional theater productions throughout the United States, beginning in 2027.
What is the function of Keith Sherman & Associates in relation to the Drama Desk Awards?
Answer: They serve as the long-standing Broadway press agency representing the awards.
Keith Sherman & Associates fulfills the role of the long-standing Broadway press agency for the Drama Desk Awards, managing public relations and communications.