The New Drama Forum Association, Inc., created in 1975, provided a venue for the exchange of ideas among people interested in the theater: critics, writers, and editors of various media: scholars; officials of nonprofit organizations concerned with theater.
The group met periodically for the purpose of exchanging ideas about theater. These meetings provided a forum where members could investigate topics and explore areas of interest that were considered vital to the theater and which the members rarely had an opportunity to explore in other places.
In 1978, The Rosamond Gilder Award was established by the New Drama Forum Association to honor outstanding work in playwriting and/or directing-generally an artist at a stage in their career when such an accolade would be especially valuable and encouraging. Past winners include: Michael Lessac (Colonnades Theatre Lab), Bernard Pomerance and Jack Hoffsiss (The Elephant Man), Ellen Stewart (La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club), JoAnne Akalaitis, Robyn Goodman and Carole Rothman (Second Stage Theatre), Tina Howe and Emily Mann, Gregory Mosher (Goodman Theatre), Charles Ludlam (The Ridiculous Theatrical Company) and Fran Soeder. The Award also paid tribute to Miss Gilder, a long-time champion of theater around the world. Gilder was the editor of the original Theatre Arts magazine and later was the president of the International Theatre Institute (USA). The award was a cash prize of $500 donated by members of the Drama Forum. In 2010, the League of Professional Theater Women began giving the Rosamond Gilder/Martha Coigney International Award drawing attention to women in theater outside the United States.
New Drama Forum Association ceased to exist in 1986 after it merged with Drama Desk (an association of New York drama critics, drama editors, and drama reporters). Both organizations shared members and mission statements, making a stronger group when combined.
From the guide to the New Drama Forum Association, Inc. records, 1975-1986, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)
