‘Lilly’ Awards Given to Arianda, Paulus, Hall and More

An organization that honors women working in the theater will present the third annual Lilly Awards on Monday evening to nine recipients, including the 2012 Tony-nominated actresses Cristin Milioti (“Once”) and Nina Arianda (“Venus in Fur”) and director Diane Paulus (“The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess”).

The group, the Committee for Recognizing Women in Theater, was founded in 2010 by the writers Marsha Norman and Theresa Rebeck, Playwrights Horizons artistic director Tim Sanford, and other artists at a time of growing complaints among some playwrights and directors that women were underrepresented on New York stages. The committee created the Lillys, named after Lillian Hellman, as a way to draw attention.

Other recipients this year are the playwrights Katori Hall (“The Mountaintop”) and Leslye Headland (“Assistance”); the director Sarah Benson (“Elective Affinities”); and the veteran set designer Heidi Ettinger. Lifetime achievement awards are also being given to Academy Award-winning actress Estelle Parsons, who is now performing in the Broadway musical “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Tina Howe, who had an Off Broadway revival of her play “Painting Churches”this year.

Ms. Howe was one of the founding members of the committee, but she does not take part in the voting process for the awards, which are chosen by 25 people working in theater. The Lillys ceremony will be held at Playwrights Horizons.