2006 Recipient: Martha Swope was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her legendary photography in theatre and dance. Hailing originally from Waco, Texas, she came to New York City to become a ballet dancer. In 1957 Jerome Robbins and Lincoln Kirstein suggested that she start using a camera to document the work of the New York City Ballet. Her photos of West Side Story appeared in Time Magazine, and she began a long career creating photos of theatre and dance that became iconic. Her images of over 800 shows span decades of American theatre. She was in great demand by producers, directors, choreographers, press agents and photo editors, and her name became synonymous with the highest quality photos of theatre and dance, that captured the essence of mood and character in her images. She is the recipient of the 2004 Tony Honors Award.