AWARDS AND HONORS

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. The first Tao House Award was presented to Jason Robards Jr. on November 12, 1989. A longtime supporter of the foundation, Robards was instrumental in the success of the foundation's first benefit performance.

UC Professor emeritus Travis Bogard, foundation artistic director, board, O'Neill author, editor and scholar received the award in October 1993. At the International Conference in June 1994, Dr. Donald Gallup became the third recipient of the award. In his many years as curator of the American Literature collection of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University, Dr. Gallup made a "permanent contribution to the American theater."
Arthur and Barbara Gelb, authors of a biography of O'Neill, received the fourth Tao House Award in April 1996.

In 1999 Producer Director Theodore Mann who has produced 16 plays and 2 recording of O'Neill works was presented with the award. This was followed in 2003 when Paul Libin, Broadway producer and collaborator with Mann, was honored, and in January, 2006, when the award was presented to Stephen Black, author and authority on O'Neill. A special presentation of the award was made in November 2006 to Cherry Jones, who is regarded as the finest stage actress of her generation.

Another award for 2006 was presented in January 2007 to Edward Hastings, a founding member of the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), the Tony Award winning regional theater company in San Francisco.

In 2008,  the Tao House Award was presented posthumously to Paul Robeson.

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.

It was first presented in 1991 to Thalia Brewer, co-founder of the Eugene O'Neill National Monument Association, which was organized to wage the campaign that saved Tao House from destruction. The association eventually became the Eugene O'Neill Foundation. In 1992 Darlene Blair and Lois Sizoo. also founders of the association, were honored. Subsequent honorees include Craig Dorman, 1993, Ruth Turner, 1995; Frances Chumley, 1998; Linda Best, 2003; Virginia Denison, 2004; Wendy Cooper, 2006; Diane Schinnerer, 2007; Carol Sherrill, 2008, Beverly Lane, 2009.

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. Past recipients are Kerri Shawn and Richard James (2003), well known actors who have assisted the foundation in Student Days and other foundation programs; and Michael Uppendal (2006), artistic director of the Namaste Theatre Company based in Los Angeles. His company performed O'Neill's sea plays and "Hughie" in the Old Barn at Tao House. Dan Cawthon, 2009 recipient.

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.
Past recipients include Tony Cooper (2003), who has photographed and videotaped foundation events and added content to the foundation's online research library; J.R.K. Kantor (2004), who worked on the foundation library and served as a docent at Tao House; Glenn Fuller (2005), former National Park Service superintendent with responsibilities for Tao House; and Michael Cook (2006), for 30 years a Bay Area theatrical designer, writer, actor and director, who also teaches at Saint Mary's College in Moraga. He has assisted with productions at Tao House.

LOIS SIZOO ENDOWMENT FUND
In 2001 an endowment fund was established to honor the memory of Lois Sizoo, 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.