The
Obie Award for
Distinguished Performance by an Actress was first presented in 1956. The award has no nominees and there is no set number of winners per year. Each performance listed by year below was given an award and they are listed in no particular order. The award can be for a lead or supporting performance and in a play or musical. On occasion, the Obie Awards committee will give an actress an award
for sustained excellence of performance to recognize their contributions to Off-Broadway theatre. There is also a separate ensemble award given to recognize entire casts without singling out a particular performer, as they have below. On occasion, the committee gives an actress an award for
sustained lifetime achievement, which is also included below. The Obie Award is for performances
Off-Broadway and
Off-Off-Broadway in New York City only, and is one of the most respected theatre awards given in the United States.‡ - indicates the performance was also
nominated for the
Tony Award after transferring to
Broadway. In 2014, Sydney Lucas became the youngest winner in OBIE history, at age 10.