The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), a not-for-profit organization promoting visibility and increased opportunities for women, has announced the recipients of its inaugural "Seal of Approval." The award honors Off-Broadway organizations that have demonstrated commitment to gender parity in their hiring practices.

The LPTW Gold seal was awarded to theatres in which 50% of playwrights and 50% of directors hired in the last five seasons were women. The recipients are Ensemble Studio Theatre (playwright and director parity), Playwrights Horizons (playwrights) and Soho Rep and LAByrinth Theatre Company (directors).

The LPTW seal was given to theatres in which 50% of playwrights and 50% of directors hired in the last season were women. The recipients are Lincoln Center Theater (playwright and director parity); MCC Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club (playwrights); The Flea, The New Group, Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre; Roundabout Theatre Company and Signature Theatre Company (directors).

The seal was awarded based on evaluations from LPTW's recent gender parity report. In November 2015, the organization issued the results from its second annual analysis of the status of women employed in Off-Broadway theatres. Findings highlighted that the percentage of female directors has increased from 22% in 2011-12 to 40% in 2014-15. The results also showed that while the number of female playwrights being produced Off-Broadway is increasing, the average percentage of plays written by women from 2010-15 was only 30%. Six theatres presented 50% or more women playwrights in their 2014-15 season: Ensemble Studio Theatre, Lincoln Center Theater, MCC, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons and The Women’s Project.

Read More: Study Shows Percentage of Female Directors Off-Broadway Has Nearly Doubled

For the study's full results and more information on LPTW, visit theatrewomen.org.