The Regional Theatre Tony Award is a special recognition Tony Award given annually to a regional theater company in the United States. The winner is recommended by a committee of drama critics. Background Initially presented in 1948 to Robert Porterfield of the Virginia Barter Theatre for their Contribution To Development Of Regional Theatre, the Regional Theatre awards were next presented starting in 1976. The award is "based on a recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association", and includes a grant of $25,000. As the American Theatre Critics Association has noted, no theater has won the award more than once, "testifying to the growing strength of professional theater nationwide." One of the objects of the award is promoting what often amounts to the incubators of new productions. In June 2013, the Tony Awards Administration Committee stated that effective with the 2013-14 season, "New York-based theatre companies will be eligible to receive the Regional Theatre Award." The Broadway League and American Theatre Wing, in a joint statement, explained: "New York has some of the most prestigious and creative theatre groups in the country and we are thrilled to include the New York theatre community in this category." Award winners 1940s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s See also Special Tony Award Regional theater in the United States References External links Official Site Tony Awards Tony Awards American theater awards Awards established in 1948 1948 establishments in the United States