The 1980s saw the beginnings of new playwrights like Christopher Durang, Harvey Fierstein, and David Henry Hwang, all receiving Obie Awards.
Meryl Streep and Morgan Freeman joined the Obies family winnings Obies in performance.
Winners
Best New American Play
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Richard Foreman
"The Cure" and "Film Is Evil, Radio Is Good"
Obie Grant
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The New Theatre of Brooklyn
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The Irish Arts Center
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Brooklyn Arts and Cultural Association (BACA)
Sustained Achievement
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Charles Ludlam and the Ridiculous Theatrical Company
Design
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Robert Israel, sets and costumes
The Hunger Artist
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Paul Gallo, lights
The Hunger Artist
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James F. Ingalls
Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design
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Andrew Jackness
Sustained Excellence of Set Design
Direction
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Garland Wright
On The Verge
Performance
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Robin Bartlett
The Early Girl
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Rob Besserer
The Hunger Artist
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Philip Bosco
Sustained Excellence of Performance
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Morgan Freeman
Driving Miss Daisy
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Laura Hicks
On the Verge
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John Kelly
Pass the Blutwurst, Bitte (The Egon Schiele St)
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Gcina Mhlophe
Born in the RSA
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Dana Ivey
Driving Miss Daisy
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Clarice Taylor
Moms
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Black-eyed Susan
Sustained Excellence of Performance
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Bill Raymond
Cold Harbor
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Anthony Holland
The Hunger Artist
Special Citations
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The Woza Afrika Foundation
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The Non-Traditional Casting Project
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The La Mama Great Jones Repertory Company for the revival of this play
Fragments of a Greek Trilogy
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Judith Malina
The Living Theatre Retrospectacle
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Dario Fo and Franca Rame
Obie Committee
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Ross Wetzsteon, Eileen Blumenthal, Robert Massa, Gordon Rogoff, Michael Feingold, Erika Munk, Julius Novick, Billie Allen, Norris Houghton