New York, N.Y.: GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics has announced key dates and new categories for the 4th annual Dorian Theater Awards, set to honor Broadway and Off-Broadway productions of the 2025-2026 season.
Nominees for the 2026 Dorian Theater Awards will be unveiled on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and winners on Monday, June 1, 2026.
To be eligible for the 2026 awards, Broadway productions must open by Sunday, April 26, 2026; Off-Broadway productions must open by Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The members of GALECA’s theater wing have also instituted several new categories ahead of the 2026 honors. This year, Dorian Theater Awards will be handed out for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical, Outstanding Off-Broadway Play, and Outstanding Off-Broadway Revival. The group’s signature Outstanding LGBTQ Off-Broadway Production category, which recognizes queer-centric work, will remain intact.
The group is also introducing new Broadway categories for Outstanding Score, Book of a Musical, and Script of a Play. Off-Broadway productions may also compete for the new Outstanding Writing for an Off-Broadway Production category, for which playwrights, composers, and lyricists are all eligible.
Like GALECA’s Dorian Film and TV Awards, the group’s theater awards celebrate both mainstream and LGBTQ+-themed productions. Nominations and winners for the Dorian Theater Awards will be selected by GALECA’s theater wing, a group currently comprising 47 professional journalists who regularly critique, report on, or assign stories on NYC theater for noteworthy media outlets.
Complete list of categories for the 4th Annual Dorian Theater Awards:
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY PLAY
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY MUSICAL REVIVAL
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY PLAY REVIVAL
OUTSTANDING LGBTQ BROADWAY PRODUCTION
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A BROADWAY MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A BROADWAY PLAY
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A BROADWAY MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A BROADWAY PLAY
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY ENSEMBLE
OUTSTANDING BROADWAY SCORE
OUTSTANDING BOOK OF A BROADWAY MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING SCRIPT OF A BROADWAY PLAY
OUTSTANDING DESIGN OF A BROADWAY PRODUCTION
THE BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPER AWARD
(for a standout production number or scene)
OUTSTANDING OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
OUTSTANDING OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
OUTSTANDING OFF-BROADWAY REVIVAL
OUTSTANDING OFF-BROADWAY LGBTQ PRODUCTION
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN AN OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTION
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN AN OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTION
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR AN OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTION
OUTSTANDING DESIGN OF AN OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTION
LGBTQ THEATER ARTIST OF THE SEASON
LGBTQ THEATER TRAILBLAZER
(For a lifelong commitment to creating art that inspires empathy, truth and equity)
“This season, Off-Broadway is filled with diverse and exciting productions and performances,” said GALECA’s Off-Broadway lead Cary Wong. “It felt like a necessity to expand the Off-Broadway categories in order to honor these talented artists, daring producers and stalwart non-profit theater companies.”
“When looking back to our past winners like John Proctor is the Villain, Maybe Happy Ending, and Fat Ham, it became clear to our members that it was time to open up our awards to the writers that inspired us,” said theater wing co-chair Sam Eckmann. “I’m thrilled that we have the space to recognize artists across an expanded number of disciplines.”
About GALECA
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics and its Dorian Awards honor the best in film, television, and, under its theater wing, Broadway and Off-Broadway. More than 500 members strong, GALECA reminds society that the world values the informed Q+ eye on everything entertainment. A nonprofit organization, GALECA also advocates for better pay, access and respect for entertainment journalists, especially the underrepresented.
