Outer Critics Circle to Announce 2026 Nominations April 21 at Museum of Broadway

Broadway has never been only about bright lights and big voices. It is also one of New York City’s strongest economic engines, generating billions for the local economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs in hotels, restaurants, transportation, and tourism. In recent seasons, that financial strength has been matched by growing pressure for the “Old White Way” to make room for a broader range of stories, artists, and perspectives onstage, backstage, and in the media that shape the public conversation.

That larger shift forms the backdrop for this year’s awards from the Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers covering New York theater for out-of-town, national, and digital outlets. Isa Briones (“Just in Time,” “The Pitt”) and Sepideh Moafi (“New Born,” “The Pitt”) will host the live announcement of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Award nominations on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The event will take place at the Museum of Broadway (Times Square) and will be livestreamed by BroadwayWorld.com.

The organization has also announced its schedule of award-season events. Nominees, past winners, and OCC members will be honored at a cocktail reception on Monday, April 27, 2026, at West Bank Cafe (42nd Street). Winners will be announced on Monday, May 11, 2026, with the awards ceremony set for Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the MMAC Theater.

Founded during the 1949–50 Broadway season by theater journalist John Gassner, the OCC now represents writers affiliated with more than 90 newspapers, magazines, broadcast outlets, and digital publications in the United States and abroad. The organization is led by President David Gordon, Vice President Richard Ridge, Recording Secretary Joseph Cervelli, Corresponding Secretary Patrick Hoffman, and Treasurer David Roberts. Board members include Cynthia Allen, Dan Rubins, Janice Simpson, and Doug Strassler. Simon Saltzman serves as president emeritus and board member (non-nominating), while Stanley L. Cohen is financial consultant and board member (non-nominating). The late Harry Haun (1940–2026), one of theatre journalism’s biggest champions, served on the board until this past February, when he died at the age of 85 after complications from congestive heart failure. 

Briones currently stars as Dr. Trinity Santos on the HBO Max drama “The Pitt,” for which she and the ensemble recently received the Actor Award, formerly known as the SAG Award, for Ensemble in a Drama Series. She is also returning to Broadway to play Connie Francis in “Just in Time,” her first appearance on the Main Stem since her 2024 Broadway debut as Eurydice in “Hadestown.” Her previous credits include the Disney+/Hulu series “Goosebumps,” “Star Trek: Picard” on Paramount+, “American Crime Story: Versace” on FX, the first national tour of “Hamilton,” Musical Theatre West’s “Grease,” and East West Players’ “Next to Normal,” for which she received an L.A. Ovation Award.

Moafi has built a career across television, film, and theater. She currently stars opposite Noah Wyle in the second season of “The Pitt” and will appear Off-Broadway in “New Born,” a trio of monologues by Ella Hickson directed by Ian Rickson, running May 8 through June 8, 2026, opposite Marianna Gailus and Hugh Jackman. Her television credits include “Black Bird,” “Class of ’09,” “The L Word: Generation Q,” “The Deuce,” “Falling Water,” “Notorious,” “Black Box,” and “Scavengers Reign.” Her film credits include “I’ll Be Right There” and “The Killing of Two Lovers.” She holds degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the University of California, Irvine; has performed at Lincoln Center Theater, David Geffen Hall with the New York Philharmonic, Davies Symphony Hall, and the Kennedy Center; and is an ambassador for the International Rescue Committee.

The Museum of Broadway, which opened in November 2022, is the first permanent museum dedicated to Broadway musicals and plays. Located in Times Square, it features exhibits tracing Broadway’s history from the 1700s to the present and highlights more than 500 productions through costumes, props, installations, and archival material. The museum is open seven days a week and also offers educational programming, special events, memberships, and show-related merchandise.

On April 21 at 10:00 a.m., at this museum devoted to Broadway’s history, Briones and Moafi will announce the names that will help define this season’s awards conversation.