Theatre World is the oldest (first published in 1945), pictorial and statistical record of American theatre, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and regional theatre, as well as a complete national theatrical awards section and obituaries. Including over 500 photographs, it is the definitive pictorial and statistical reference to each American theatrical season, and is referenced daily by industry professionals, students, historians, and theatre fans worldwide.
Until 1998, the Theatre World editorial staff administered the Theatre World Awards for Outstanding Broadway and off-Broadway debuts. First under the supervision of Theatre World founder Daniel Blum and then under co-founder John Willis, who took over the production of the Awards following Blum's death in 1964, the Theatre World Awards were first given to those recipients considered "Promising Personalities."
In 1998, the Theatre World Awards were incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization and are currently overseen by a board of directors, although over fifty years of association between the two organizations has resulted in the two organizations working closely to produce the annual event, as well as the publication.
Theatre World is the recipient of a 2001 Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, presented by the American Theatre Wing, and for his work on the publication, longtime editor-in-chief John Willis has received honors including the first Special Lucille Lortel Award, a Special Drama Desk Award, and the Broadway Theatre Institute (now The Theatre Museum) Lifetime Achievement Award.
Theatre World is published annually by Applause Theatre and Cinema Books. The permanent editorial staff currently consists of Ben Hodges, editor in chief, and associate editor Scott Denny.