Leon Rabin Awards

Named after the Leon Rabin, an arts patron who devoted his life to the development of Dallas based arts and artists, the Leon Rabin Awards, the Awards served as an avenue to recognize the numerous artists who support these theatres, as well as a way to showcase the vast and diverse talent that the Dallas area has to offer both locally and nationally. They are also an opportunity to give support to the next generation of Dallas artists, with a portion of event proceeds supporting Dallas Theatre League Scholarship programs for youth focusing on career development in the Performing Arts.^[1]

Leon Rabin (1915 -1993)

Leon Rabin was Philadelphia native,who made Dallas his home in 1945, when he arrived to serve as a community organizer for the USO. Along with his wife, Idelle, he dedicated his life to Dallas arts, with a particular devotion to theatre.,^[2][3]

He was an influential figure at the impetus of every Dallas-based arts-related organization, and served tirelessly on an extensive roster of organizational Boards. He was a driving force behind some of Dallas’ most enduring institutions; the launch of the Dallas Theater Center, the Dallas Arts Magnet High School, the Junior Black Academy, Dallas Women’s Foundation, the American-Jewish Committee to the Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission, and Dallas’ inaugural hosting of the Royal Shakespeare Company.^[4]

Award Categories

The awards were given annually from 1995 - 2007.

To see nominees and winners, visit DFWTheater.com.

The Leon Rabin Awards were presented in these categories:
Outstanding New Play or Musical (award to writer)
Outstanding Production - Play (award to producer)
Outstanding Production - Musical (award to producer)
Outstanding Direction – Play
Outstanding Direction - Musical
Outstanding Performance (Male - Play)
Outstanding Performance - Supporting Role (Male - Play)
Outstanding Performance (Female - Play)
Outstanding Performance - Supporting Role (Female - Play)
Outstanding Performance (Male - Musical)
Outstanding Performance - Supporting Role (Male - Musical)
Outstanding Performance (Female - Musical)
Outstanding Performance - Supporting Role (Female - Musical)
Outstanding Set Design – Play
Outstanding Set Design - Musical
Outstanding Costume Design – Play
Outstanding Costume Design - Musical
Outstanding Lighting Design – Play
Outstanding Lighting Design - Musical
Outstanding Sound Design (for plays only)
Outstanding Musical Direction
Outstanding Choreography (shared between plays and musicals)

The Dallas Theatre League has dissolved, and the Leon Rabin Awards are no longer given.

References