Starting just after the 2014 ceremony, the American Theatre Wing became the joint presenter and administrative manager of the Obie Awards.

[1][2] The Obie Awards were initiated by critic Jerry Tallmer and Edwin (Ed) Fancher, publisher of The Village Voice, who handled the financing and business side of the project.

The first Obie Awards ceremony was held at Helen Gee's cafe.

[3] With the exception of the Lifetime Achievement and Best New American Play awards, there are no fixed categories at the Obie Awards, and the winning actors and actresses are all in a single category titled "Performance."

[4][5] Awards in the past have included performance, direction, best production, design, special citations, and sustained achievement.