American theatre awards for
Off Broadway and
Off-Off Broadway productions ("Obie" = O.B. = Off Broadway). Created by Jerry Tallmer of
The Village Voice in
1955 to recognize Off Broadway Theatre in
New York, they are still given by the Village Voice to this day. In
1964, they expanded to included Off Off Broadway productions. The awards are chosen by a
panel of Voice
critics and guest
judges, but there are no
nominations, just awards for "
vibrant and
dynamic" theatre-- the definition of which is open enough to include
performance art and
dance. Categories are not necessarily
consistent from year to year.