Founded in 1969, the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle is a non-profit organization dedicated to excellence in theatrical criticism and to the encouragement and improvement of theatre in Greater Los Angeles. Members of the LADCC collectively watch over 1000+ performances a year, engaging with a wide variety of theatre across LA, Ventura, and Orange County. Our theater critics post reviews, feature articles, and interviews throughout the year.
For more than 55 years, the LADCC has produced an annual live awards event to recognize outstanding achievements from not only high profile organizations and celebrities, but from independent theaters, emerging artists, and historically marginalized communities. The first official live awards ceremony took place in March of 1970 during a luncheon at the LA Press Club. Since then, honorees and emcees have included stage and screen luminaries such as Anthony Hopkins, Charlton Heston, Vincent Price, Steve Allen, Julie Harris, and Henry Fonda.
In addition to an expansive slate of performance, production, and design awards, this yearly celebration of Los Angeles theatre includes a number of Special Awards to acknowledge those who have left an enduring mark on Los Angeles theatre. The Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatre was established in 1973 and named after one of the early Circle members. The Gordon Davidson Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Los Angeles Theatrical Community was created in 2016 in honor of Center Theatre Group’s founding artistic director. Other special honors include the Polly Warfield Award for Best Season by a Small to Midsized Theater, the Joel Hirschhorn Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theater, the Milton Kaselas Award for Career / Special Achievement in Direction, the Kinetic Lighting Award for distinguished achievement in theatrical design, and the Ted Schmitt Award for the World Premiere of an Outstanding New Play.