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Lisa Dawn Cave ’83 Earns Special Tony Award

Cave will receive The 2023 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre.

Lisa Dawn Cave ’83 and two others will receive the 2023 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre, an award to honor institutions, individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theatre, but are not eligible in any of the established Tony Award categories.

Cave is a seasoned production supervisor and stage manager, working currently as the production supervisor for Disney’s The Lion King and Frozen worldwide, along with the re-imagined Aida, which is currently playing in the Netherlands.

“It is our absolute honor to present Lisa Dawn, Victoria, and Robert with the Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre,” said Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing, and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League. “We are thrilled to recognize their outstanding achievements in each of their respective fields; and their unwavering dedication to our Broadway community.”


Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Cave attended the High School of Performing Arts before  receiving her BFA in dance. Her professional theatre career started as a dancer/singer where she performed in Cats, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls, Bubblin’ Brown Sugar and Golden Boy.

After 10 years of performing on the stage, Cave’s career transitioned to behind-the-scenes, where she has worked consistently in stage management.

These credits include the Broadway productions of Frozen, Shuffle Along, Fun Home, Rocky, The Humans, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Bring It On, West Side Story (2009), Come Fly Away, The Color Purple, Hot Feet, The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, The Woman In White, Julius Caesar, Caroline or Change, Hollywood Arms, Into the Woods, Wild Party, Parade, Smokey Joe’s Café and the 1994 revival of Showboat.

In addition to her theatre credits, Cave serves on the Board of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. She is a founding member of both Black Theatre United and Broadway & Beyond: Access for Stage Managers of Color and has served as an elected Councilor for Actors Equity Association for 11 years.