In May of each year The Theatre Lobby, an organization that at one time was the only producing theater in DC, recognizes the contribution of both organizations and individuals to the overall level of excellence in the theater community despite limited resources. The award is named for local actor Mary Goldwater who died in 1985.

The 2006 award recipients are:

• Kathleen Ackerley - Actor, director and Artistic Director of Longacre Lea Productions.
• Joe Baker - Actor. for work at SCENA Theatre and the American Century Theater
• Dan Brick - Actor. For work primarily at SCENA, Solas Nua and Keegan Theatre.
• John MacDonald - Director and Producing Artistic Director of the Washington Stage Guild. For his work directing such shows as Fannie's First Play.
• Elizabeth Jenkins McFadden - Scenic designer. For work, principally at the Washington Shakespeare Company where she designed Hapgood.
• Bruce Alan Rauscher - Actor. For performances at the Washington Shakespeare Company and the American Century Theater.
• Rorschach Theatre Company. For excellence and vision.