The American Theatre Hall of Fame in New York City was founded in 1971 by Earl Blackwell, Gerard Oestreicher, James M. Nederlander, and Arnold Weissberger. Eligible inductees come from many disciplines including actors, playwrights, designers, directors and producers who have had a career on Broadway spanning at least twenty-five years with a minimum of five major theatrical credits. Selections are made by approximately 400 voting members from the Theatre Hall of Fame and the American Theatre Critics Association.

Induction takes place at a ceremony at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City, where the plaques containing the names of the inductees are hung. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, Jan. 30, 2008, "Hall of Fame: theater veterans get a night in limelight" The 2009 inductees were announced on October 10, 2008, for the induction ceremony that was held on January 26, 2009.Gans, Andrew."Hamlisch, Lane, Birch, Tunick and Azenberg Among Theater Hall of Fame Inductees",playbill.com, October 10, 2008 The 2010 inductees are Jim Dale, John McMartin, Lynn Redgrave, Roger Berlind, Ted Mann, Stephen Schwartz, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and posthumously, the late Charles Ludlum. Their ceremony will take place on January 25, 2010.Gans, Andrew."Redgrave, Schwartz and Lloyd Webber Among Theater Hall of Fame Inductees"playbill.com, October 8, 2009

Inductees (This is a partial list, for a complete list, see below):