The Lillys began in the Spring of 2010 as an outlet to honor the work of women in the American theatre. Founded by Julia Jordan, Marsha Norman, and Theresa Rebeck, the organization is named for Lillian Hellman, a pioneering American playwright who famously said “You need to write like the devil and act like one when necessary.”

This year’s award recipients include:

• C. A. Johnson, who received the $25,000 Stacey Mindich ‘Go Write a Play’ Award;
• Crystal Monee Hall, who received the $25,000 Stacey Mindich ‘Go Write a Musical’ Award;
• and France-Luce Benson, who received the  $10,000 Lorraine Hansberry Award

The winners are nominated and chosen by a revolving anonymous panel of industry professionals. This year’s winners will be celebrated in person at The Lilly Awards show next spring, alongside the Lilly winners of 2020 and 2022.