Programs, Services, and Activities of The Helen Hayes Awards
Helen Hayes Awards programs and services are carefully integrated to build audiences, honor excellence, and educate youth – all in celebration of professional theatre in the Washington Metropolitan Area. While the organization takes center stage on one night each year, our work behind the scenes continues for 365 nights – and days.
BUILDING AUDIENCES
The Washington Audience Development Initiative
A multi-layered marketing initiative to cultivate new hometown audiences and encourage cultural tourism.
www.helenhayes.org
The Go-To internet resource for the most comprehensive information available about what's playing in Washington theatres. While you’re here, please take a moment to visit some of the other site features such as a Directory of What's Playing on Washington stages, theatre, special deals and events, education resources for children, a nominee and recipient history, how to give the gift of live theatre - and much, much more.
Curtain Up
The definitive guide to what’s playing in Washington area theatres is published quarterly and provided at no cost to the theatres we promote or the audiences we inform. Combined with its presence in Washington Theater Review estimated annual readership is more than 400,000.Click here to get on the mailing list
TixCertificates
Accepted at more than 40 theatres throughout Washington, these $20 gift certificates remove the fear from “making the wrong choice” when buying theatre tickets for others, encourages those who don’t go to the theatre to try it, and encourages current audiences to try new venues and productions.Click here to learn more or purchase TixCertificates
The Washington Theatre Guide
The most comprehensive resource of Washington theatre, this handy year-long source book details complete seasons, festivals, readings, and special events at all Washington theatres. Listings include nearby restaurants, parking, and public transportation, as well as theatre education resources for students, teachers, and parents.The $10 Ticket Club
A discount opportunity to fill seats that would otherwise remain empty or be subject to “papering.” (currently in development)
The Washington Theatre Radio Report
A weekly radio feature that informs and entices those in the community who do not often (or ever) attend theatre. (currently in development)
HONORING EXCELLENCE
The Annual Presentation of The Helen Hayes Awards
Celebrating extraordinary achievement in the Washington professional theatre, The event brings together some of the most notable fixtures in American Theatre to shine a spotlight on the nation’s second largest theatre town, generating significant regional and national attention to Washington area theatre.Click here to find out more about this year’s Awards Celebration
The Canadian/Washington Theatre Partnership
An annual cultural exchange offering Washington area artistic directors the opportunity to explore Canada’s innovative theatrical offerings during an extensive week-long residency.
EDUCATING YOUTH
The Washington Theatre Legacy Project
An education program which, since 1994, has introduced close to 30,000 public school students to the magic and practical applications of live theatre. Included are a sequence of classroom visits, theatre tickets, bus transportation, teacher training, and resource materials – all provided free-of-charge. All theatre tickets for this program are purchased from constituent theatres by The Helen Hayes Awards.Click here for more information
DoublePlay
An initiative that encourages family theatre attendance by offering Legacy Project students and their families a two-for-one ticket discount at participating theatres. (currently in development)
Helen Hayes Awards Internships
A program for college and graduate level students to engage in a broad spectrum of practical experiences and professional opportunities to enhance their classroom education.Click here to let us know you are interested in a Helen Hayes Awards Internship
COMMUNICATION AND REPRESENTATION
Discussions Forums
Regular moderated group conversations with members of the theatre community about issues pertinent to their work.
Helen Hayes Enews
Regular email newsletters geared specifically to targeted audiences regarding theatre and HHA news and information specific to their interests.