Awards and Honors

The Eugene O’Neill Foundation regularly recognizes people and groups who help us celebrate and promote the vision and legacy of O’Neill. None of our programs would be possible without their support and partnerships. The awards and honorees are:

THE TAO HOUSE AWARD

This award is given to a person who, in the opinion of the board, has served the American Theater with distinction. The recipient may be actively involved in performance areas, including acting, directing, design, or producing, and may also be a critic or scholar who has written significantly about the theater in the United States. Recipients of the Tao House Award are:

2020

Joy Carlin, actor, director and artistic director

2017

Carey Perloff, long-time artistic director of the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), San Francisco

2008

Paul Robeson (posthumously), actor, leading roles in The Emperor Jones and All God’s Chillun Got Wings; and Robert Brustein, critic, author, director; former Dean of the Yale School of Drama and director of American Repertory Theater

2007

Ed Hastings, founding member of the American Conservatory Theatre, the Tony Award winning regional theatre in San Francisco.

2006

Cherry Jones, actress, Tony Award nominee for her role in A Moon for the Misbegotten.

2006

Stephen Black, O’Neill scholar, author of works on O’Neill.

2003

Paul Libin, Broadway producer and collaborator with Theodore Mann.

1999

Theodore Mann, producer of 16 plays by Eugene O’Neill.

1999

Theodore Mann, producer of 16 plays by Eugene O’Neill.

1996

Arthur and Barbara Gelb, biographers of O’Neill.

1994

Donald Gallup, curator of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

1993

Travis Bogard, author, editor and O’Neill scholar at UC Berkeley.

1989

Jason Robards, Jr., actor renowned for roles in O’Neill’s major plays and longtime supporter of the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House.

PARTNERSHIP AWARD

The Partnership Award is given to an individual, foundation, or business who has significantly assisted the Foundation in meeting its mission in very direct and tangible ways.

2020

The Town of Danville; Superintendent Tom Leatherman and the National Park Service Staff

2014

Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation; East Bay Regional Park District

2013

Role Players Ensemble

2012

Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation

2009

Sunset Development Company

2008

Museum of the San Ramon Valley

2006

National Park Service; Contra Costa Times and its Community Newspapers

THE OPEN GATE AWARD

This award honors those who have served as directors of the foundation and whose dedication and service have enhanced the memory of Eugene O’Neill. Recipients of the Open Gate Award are:

2020

Carole Wynstra

2014

Claudia Nemir

2012

Florence McAuley and Robert Rezak

2009

Beverly Lane

2008

Carol Sherrill

2007

Diane Schinnerer

2006

Wendy Cooper

2004

Virginia Denison

2003

Linda Best

1998

Frances Chumley

1995

Ruth Turner

1993

Craig Dorman

1992

Darlene Blair and Lois Sizoo

1991

Thalia Brewer

THE ARTISTIC AWARD

The Artistic Award (The Genie) is given to individuals who have been outstanding in their commitment to the Foundation’s mission to provide artistic and educational programs which focus on the contribution of Eugene O’Neill to the American theater. Recipients of the Artistic Award are:

2020

Eric Fraisher Hayes

2012

Jack DeRieux

2009

Dan Cawthon

2006

Michael Uppendal

2003

Kerri Shawn and Richard James

THE FREEMAN AWARD

This award is named for Herbert Freeman. He served as chauffeur and “man of all work” and friend. He is credited with helping to make life more comfortable for the O’Neills at Tao House. This award is presented to volunteers who have tirelessly given their time and talents to the Eugene O’Neill Foundation. Recipients of the Freeman Award are:

2020

Joyce Michalczyk

2013

Carol Lea Jones, Thomas Donahoe

2006

Michael Cook

2004

J.R.K. Kantor

2003

Tony Cooper

THE TAO HOUSE HERO AWARD

The Tao House Hero Award is presented to honor an individual or organization who has made a unique and extraordinary contribution in perpetuating the legacy of Eugene O’Neill.

2014

Congressman George Miller

LOIS SIZOO ENDOWMENT FUND

In 2001 an endowment fund was established to honor the memory of Lois Sizoo, a founding member of the Foundation. This fund is the repository for all memorial gifts to the foundation. This fund will support the work of new playwrights.