The Broadway League and
The Coalition of Broadway
Unions and Guilds (COBUG)
Presents the 16th Annual
BROADWAY SALUTES
New York, NY – January 22, 2026 –For one afternoon each year, Broadway turns its spotlight inward to honor the people who make it possible. On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, The Broadway League and the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG) presented the 16th Annual Broadway Salutes, an industry-wide celebration honoring 450 Broadway veterans whose decades of work onstage and behind the scenes have shaped the fabric of the American theatre. The event took at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square (1501 Broadway between 43rd and 44th Street).
This year’s ceremony was hosted by Samantha Williams, celebrating artists, craftspeople, and professionals recognized for 25, 35, and 50+ years of service to the Broadway community.
The evening also featured a performance of “What I Did for Love” by Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, known for her iconic roles in Spamalot, Beetlejuice, Something Rotten and many more. Kritzer was introduced by legendary performer and original A Chorus Line cast member Baayork Lee.
Broadway Salutes offers a rare moment when the industry pauses to recognize the individuals whose long-standing commitment makes Broadway possible night after night. Honorees span every discipline across the theatre ecosystem, including actors, agents, attorneys, box office treasurers, casting directors, choreographers, composers, designers, directors, dressers, managers, musicians, orchestrators, producers, publicists, stagehands, stage managers, stylists, theatre owners, ticket sellers, ushers, writers, and many more theatre professionals who have dedicated their careers to the success of Broadway.
Since its inception in 2009, Broadway Salutes has honored more than 5,300 members of the Broadway community, celebrating careers built on artistry, craftsmanship, and dedication often unseen by audiences.
During the ceremony, the names of honorees once again scrolled across the electronic marquee in Shubert Alley (between Broadway & 8th Ave, 44th & 45th Streets) offering a public, citywide tribute to the individuals who have shaped Broadway’s legacy.
“Broadway Salutes is about recognizing the people who have devoted decades of their lives to this industry, said The Broadway League’s Immediate Past Chair and Broadway Salutes Committee Co-Chair, Lauren Reid. Their work forms the foundation of Broadway’s success, and this celebration ensures their contributions are seen, honored, and remembered.”
“Behind every production is a vast community of professionals whose expertise and commitment make Broadway possible,” said Laura Penn, Executive Director of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society & Broadway Salutes Committee Co-Chair. “The theatre workers of Broadway, whatever their role, exemplify the craft and skill necessary to create live theatre – a form that thrills audiences while contributing so much to New York’s economy. Broadway Salutes is our opportunity to thank those who have given so much of themselves to this art form and this industry.”
Broadway remains a major economic and cultural engine for New York City, supporting thousands of jobs and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue annually. Events like Broadway Salutes underscore the human infrastructure that sustains this impact.
Broadway Salutes’ Committee Co-Chairs are Laura Penn (SDC) and Lauren Reid (The Broadway League). Program Co-Directors are Marc Bruni and Paige Price (SDC). The Program Music Director is Meg Zervoulis.
The Broadway Salutes committee is additionally comprised of: Chris Brockmeyer (Broadway League), Teresa Gozzo (USA 829), Anthony LaTorella (Broadway League), Carl Mulert (USA 829), Dani Karliner Naish (Broadway League), Lawrence Paone (Local 751), Rina Saltzman (ATPAM), Stasia Savage (IATSE Stagecraft), Mark Schweppe (Broadway League), Mike Wexelblatt (Local One, IATSE), and Pat White (Local 764).
Foresight Events is the production team.
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The Broadway League, founded in 1930, is the national trade association for the Broadway industry representing more than 800 members from nearly 200 national and international markets including theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers as well as suppliers of goods and services to the commercial theatre industry. Key League programs and resources such as Kids’ Night on Broadway, The Jimmy Awards/National High School Musical Theatre Awards, Broadway Bridges, Black to Broadway, ¡Viva! Broadway, East to Broadway, Broadway Membership Fellows, Broadway Speakers Bureau, and the Internet Broadway Database (ibdb.com) represent the League’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive culture within the industry that is geared toward accessibility and advancements of audience development, industry practices, and workforce opportunities. The Broadway League co-administers the dotBroadway top-level domain, providing online visitors assurance that the web address they are accessing is from a verified League member. Since 1967, The Broadway League has been co-presenting the Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards. Learn more at broadwayleague.com.
About the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG):
The members of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG) have labor contracts with or work for the Broadway League. COBUG was established to strengthen the position of Unions and Guilds within the industry, to participate in decision making that affects Broadway and the art and craft of theatre at large, and to educate the broader community about the collective role Coalition members play in keeping our industry vibrant and healthy.