The recipient of this award, first given in 1986, is the author of an outstanding, major, recent publication in the field of design and production for the performing arts. The winning works are significant in the field of performing arts and are outstanding examples of one or more of the following:
- Scholarly research and critical thinking;
- Presentation of the work and methodology of exceptional practitioners for theatrical arts and/or crafts;
- Description of the methods, skills, and technology involved in creating works of theatre and/or crafts.
Recipients are honored during the Annual Conference & Stage Expo where an autograph session is generally held. USITT members can nominate books for this award by using the online nomination form which also contains the specific criteria.
Recipients of the Golden Pen Award
2012 John Loring Joseoh Urban |
2010 Oscar Brockett, Margaret Mitchell and Linda Hardberger
Making the Scene: A History of Stage Design and Technology in Europe and the United States |
2009 Deborah Nadoolman Landis
Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design |
2008 George Tsypin
George Tsypin Opera Factory: Building in the Black Void |
2007 Andrew B. Harris
The Performing Set: the Broadway Designs of William and Jean Eckart |
2006 Gordana Popovic Vasic and Irina Subotic
Miodrag Tabacki |
2005 Meredith Chilton
Harlequin Unmasked |
2004 Rosemary Ingham & Liz Covey
The Costume Technician's Handbook
Mark Cotta Vaz & Craig Barron
The Invisible Art |
2003 Judy A. Juracek
Natural Surfaces: Visual Research for Artists, Architects, and Designers |
2002 Mary C. Henderson
Mielziner: Master of Modern Stage Design |
2001 Max Keller
Light Fantastic |
2000 Alys E. Holden & Bronislaw J. Sammler
Structural Design for the Stage |
1999 Dr. Mary C. Henderson, writer, & Whitney Cox, photographer
The New Amsterdam - The Biography of a Broadway Theatre |
1998 Julie Taymor & Eileen Blumenthal
Julie Taymor: Playing with Fire |
1997 Joan Severa
Dressed for the Photographer |
1995 Josef Svoboda
The Secret of Theatrical Space (Translated and Edited by Jarka Burian) |
1994 Lynn Pecktal
Costume Design: Techniques of Modern Masters |
1988 Frank Rich & Lisa Aronson
The Theatre of Boris Aronson |
1987 Denis Bablet
His Collected Works |
1986 Arnold Aronson
American Set Design |