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Jeff Awards 2023

The Jeff Awards recognizes theater excellence and honors theater artists through two annual awards ceremonies for Equity and Non-Equity theater performances.

Annual Awards Ceremonies

Equity Jeff Awards

Equity awards recognize outstanding achievement in productions performed under union contracts. The non-equity awards are traditionally held in June. The equity Jeff awards are traditionally held in June.

2023 Equity Jeff Awards Show

2023 Equity Jeff Awards Nominees

When: Monday, October 2, 2023

Where: Drury Lane Theatre & Conference Center

Address: 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Schedule

6:00 PM: Appetizers & Cash Bar

6:15 PM: Red Carpet Rolls Out

7:30 PM: Curtain Up Awards Ceremony

Later: Reception, Buffet, DJ, Dancing

Tickets

$95 General Admission

$70 Union

AEA/USA/SDC/IATSE/DGA/AFM/CFM

Group Rates (10+) $70/Ticket

Door Sales Add $10/Ticket

Tickets can be purchased online


Non-Equity Jeff Awards

Non-Equity awards recognize outstanding achievement in professional productions NOT operating under union contracts. The non-equity Jeff awards are traditionally held in June.


What does it mean to be “Jeff Recommended”?

“Jeff Recommended” is given to a production when, after the opening night of its run, at least one element of the show was deemed excellent by the opening night judges of the Jeff Awards. The entire production is then eligible for nomination for awards at the end of the season.

About The Jeff Awards

The Jeff Awards has been honoring outstanding theatre artists annually since it was established in 1968. With approximately 55 members representing a wide variety of backgrounds in theatre, the Jeff Awards is committed to celebrating the vitality of Chicago area theatre by recognizing excellence through its recommendations, awards, and honors.

The Jeff Awards evaluates over 250 theatrical productions and holds two awards ceremonies annually. Originally chartered to recognize only Equity productions, the Jeff Awards established the Non-Equity Wing in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theatre.

The Jeff Awards are named after the successful nineteenth century actor Joseph Jefferson III. Jefferson appeared in Chicago nearly every season from 1880 to 1903, often in Rip Van Winkle, The Rivals, and Dion Boucicault’s The Cricket on the Hearth. He played at McVicker’s until 1895 and then, after J. H. McVicker’s death, at the Powers Theatre. He appeared for the last time in Chicago in September 1903, and for the last time on any stage in May, 1904.

He died in 1905 on April 23, the traditionally-accepted date of Shakespeare’s birth and actual date of his death.