The awards gala, which had been held at the Warner Theatre in the past, will be located in the atrium of the National Building Museum. The gala, marking the 30th anniversary of the Helen Hayes Awards, is scheduled for April 21.

The previous tradition of the awards, according to the Post, was to hold a black-tie gala and an afterparty with an open bar. In 2014 the bar will open at 7 PM, and the awards will be given out starting at 7:30 PM. Acceptance speeches will be limited to 30 seconds.

"We're old enough to break some rules and try some new things," Linda Levy, president and chief executive of TheatreWashington, told the Post.

The adjustments in the awards ceremony are not the first change the Helen Hayes Awards have experienced; over the summer TheatreWashington announced a restructuring of the awards themselves.

Featuring local talent, the awards will be directed by Jeff Davis and Jerry Whiddon and scripted by Renee Calarco.  More information can be found by visiting theatrewashington.org.