EEO Awards

Each year, Actors' Equity Association's Equal Employment Opportunity Committee recognizes the contributions of its members and industry colleagues who go above and beyond in service to systemically marginalized people with several different awards.

Nominations for all EEOC-administered awards are available year-round, and open to the public. All nominations for the 2021 award year must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, January 31, 2022. If the nominee is selected for any of the awards, the nominator will be notified two weeks before a public announcement is made. You may use this form to submit a nomination for any of the awards administered by the EEOC, including:

Rosetta LeNoire Award
The Rosetta LeNoire Award was established in 1988. It recognizes the American theatre producers and practitioners whose work to further the union's policy regarding diverse and inclusive casting and representing the diversity of our world is often overlooked. The award is named for actor and producer Rosetta LeNoire in honor of her tireless work with the Actors' Equity Association's Ethnic Minorities Committee - now the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee - and for her founding of the AMAS Repertory Theatre Company, which is dedicated to celebrating and developing diversity in American musical theatre.

Kathryn V. Lamkey ("Spirit") Award
The Kathryn V. Lamkey ("Spirit") Award was established in 2008. This Central Region Award honors outstanding work by members who are traditionally marginalized, theatres that center marginalized identities and theatres that make diverse and inclusive casting a priority throughout their seasons. The award is named for long time Central Regional Director Kathryn V. Lamkey.

Ivy Bethune ("The Ivy") Award
The Ivy Bethune Award, also known as "The Ivy," was established in 2003. It recognizes individuals and organizations in the Western Region who have nurtured and developed diversity, inclusion and social justice in their hiring & casting practices, storytelling, producing, directing, programming and advocacy. The award is named for Ivy Bethune, a former Equity Councilor who devoted more than 80 years of her life to civil rights activism and equal opportunity rights.

Frederick O'Neal Award (Coming Soon)
The Frederick O'Neal Award was established in 2020. The Frederick O'Neal Award uplifts an Eastern Region member or non-Broadway theatre whose work demonstrates a long-lasting commitment to representing and welcoming people from all walks of life on their stage, in the wings and indeed in all aspects of theatre. The award is named for Frederick O'Neal, the first African-American president of Actors' Equity Association.

Extraordinary Excellence in Diversity on Broadway Award
The Extraordinary Excellence on Broadway Award was established in 2007. Presented by Equity’s National Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, the Extraordinary Excellence in Diversity on Broadway Award was established in 2007 to honor Broadway productions that exemplify and promote the union’s founding principles of diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity for all who work in the theatre.