The Ruby Griffith Award & The British Players

This site is an information resource for the Ruby Griffith Award program.  It is managed separately from the British Players website but in cooperation with the administration of the Ruby Griffith Awards.  The information posted here is provided strictly as a service to the amateur theater community and patrons to promote attendance, support and growth of amateur theater.

Please check the British Players website for more information about the company and awards program.

A Brief History of the Ruby Griffith Awards*

Ruby L. Griffith was born in London on April 9, 1907. After her professional career, primarily in the field of theatre education as director of the Italia Conti Stage School in London, she moved to Washington DC.

Early in 1964, she became a founding member of the British Players (formerly known as The British Embassy Players) and directed and produced the group's first play, Night Must Fall. Thereafter, she devoted her talent and energies to the Players and was given the title 'Artistic Director'. Through her wide experience and teaching talent, Ruby infused the Players with a strong sense of professionalism. She produced and/or directed seven of the British Players first fourteen productions.

On the opening night of the British Players' 1968 Old Time Music Hall, which she produced and directed, Ruby suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. She died a few days later.

In honour of her contributions, the British Players instituted an annual award competition for All-Round Production Excellence. Initially, the Washington Theatre Alliance, which, at that time, was an organization of fourteen theatre groups including the British Players, administered the Ruby Griffith Award. At the time the award was open only to Theatre Alliance members and attracted 10 entrants in the first season.

Beginning with the 1971/72 season, the British Players assumed the administration of the competition and expanded eligibility to include more of the Washington area's amateur groups. With the start of the 1991/92 season, two new achievement awards were added; they are the Ruby Griffith Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Musical and the Ruby Griffith Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Non-Musical.

The All-Round Production Excellence Award is a trophy made of sterling silver and depicts the masks of comedy and tragedy below the British Lion. The trophy was crafted by Garrards of London from an original design provided by an early member of the British Players. The two Outstanding Achievement Awards are plaques with the representation of the Lion and masks from the All-Round Excellency trophy. The two Outstanding Achievement Awards also include certificates for two runners-up.

The competition is currently open to any amateur theatre group meeting the established criteria. The 1999/00 season attracted more than thirty entrants.

(* This information was copied from the Ruby Griffith Award page on the British Players website)

since 00:00:00 - 09/06/02

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Last modified: 07/26/09