Nominations are now being accepted from theater companies for The Jeff Impresario Award, recognizing an outstanding Chicago Equity theater stage manager who has played a vital role in the behind-the-scenes work bringing Chicago productions to life over the last season. This award, launched in 2025, is presented for both Equity and Non-Equity theaters at the annual Jeff Awards ceremonies.
Given the importance and understanding of the role, stage manager nominations will be accepted from Chicago area theater companies exclusively. Nominations from individuals will not be eligible for consideration. All nominations for Equity stage managers are due by Friday, June 26, 2026 by 5pm (CST).
Theater company representatives can use the following link to make their nominations:
Impresario Award Nomination Form
Or copy link address below to your browser -
http://bit.ly/4v3X4EI
For more information, theater companies can contact Jeff Awards Equity Wing Chair Barry Taylor at equitywing@jeffawards.org.
To continue its mission to promote theater excellence, the Jeff Awards looks for opportunities to support the theater community and celebrate artistic and technical excellence. Today, the organization evaluates excellence in more than 30 categories. The Impresario Award is the fourth expansion of recognition that the Jeff Awards has added in the last four years, including Short Runs and World Language Productions, as well as the Jeff Impact Fellowship (a cash award to emerging artists of color).
WATCH FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2026 EQUITY JEFF AWARDS
The 59th Jeff Awards for Equity Theater will be held Monday, September 14, 2026 at the Harris Theater in Chicago. Event details, how to access tickets and other information will be available in July.
Nominations for the annual awards will also be announced in July.
Stay tuned for more details!
ABOUT THE JEFF AWARDS
The Jeff Awards is one of the most active and engaged theater awards organizations in the country evaluating hundreds of theatrical productions annually and holding two awards ceremonies highlighting work over the past Equity and Non-Equity seasons. Through our recommendations, awards, and honors we help foster the growth of companies, encourage artists, bring new appreciation for diverse storytelling, and cultivate civic pride in the achievements of the Chicago theater community. Originally chartered in 1968 to recognize Equity productions, the Jeff Awards Non-Equity Wing was established in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theater. The Jeff Awards is a not for profit, professionally independent organization and voting members of the committee are unaffiliated with any theater companies or producing organizations. For more information, visit www.jeffawards.org.