The Outer Critics Circle (OCC) has revealed the timeline for the 2025 OCC Awards. The awards body, which recognizes productions playing both on and Off-Broadway, will reveal nominees for the 2024-2025 season on April 28, 2025. A ceremony honoring the winners will be held on May 22.
The OCC organization comprises writers who cover the New York theater scene for outlets outside New York City. Nominators will have until April 25 to see eligible productions.
Unlike other theater awards, the OCC Awards announces winners in advance of the ceremony; the 2025 winners will be named on May 12.
The OCC Awards comprises 27 competitive categories, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, Outstanding New Broadway Play, Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical, Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway), Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway), Outstanding New Score, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Play, Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Orchestrations. Additionally, the John Gassner Award, named for the theater critic who founded the OCC in the 1949-1950 season, acknowledges the best new American play.
Musicals and plays are eligible together in the same five design categories: Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Sound Design and Outstanding Video or Projection Design.
For the third consecutive year, performers will be acknowledged in genderless categories. Acting categories include: Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play, Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical, Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical, Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical, Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical, Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play, Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play and Outstanding Solo Performance.
The 2025 OCC Awards ceremony will mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the organization which is currently led by president David Gordon. The OCC board of directors includes Richard Ridge, Joseph Cervelli, Patrick Hoffman, David Roberts, Cynthia Allen, Harry Haun, Dan Rubins, Janice Simpson, Doug Strassler, Simon Saltzman and Stanley L. Cohen. The OCC awards ceremony is executive produced by Lauren Yarger.
