Ruby L. Griffith was born in London on April 9, 1907. After her professional career, primarily in the field of theatre education as director of the Italia Conti Stage School in London, she moved to Washington DC.

Early in 1964, Ruby Griffith became a founding member of the British Embassy Players and directed and produced the group's first play, Night Must Fall. Thereafter, she devoted her talent and energies to the Players and was given the title 'Artistic Director'. Through her wide experience and teaching talent, Ruby infused the Players with a strong sense of professionalism. She produced and/or directed seven of the Players’ first fourteen productions.

On the opening night of the British Embassy Players' 1968 Old Time Music Hall, which she produced and directed, Ruby suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. She died a few days later.

In honour of her contributions, the British Embassy Players instituted an annual award competition for All-Round Production Excellence. Initially, the Washington Theatre Alliance, then consisting of fourteen theatre groups including the British Embassy Players, administered the Ruby Griffith Award. At that time, the award was open only to Theatre Alliance members and attracted 10 entrants in the first season.

Beginning with the 1971/72 season, the British Embassy Players assumed the administration of the competition and expanded eligibility to include more of the Metropolitan area's amateur groups. With the start of the 1991/92 season, two new achievement awards were added; they are the Ruby Griffith Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Musical and the Ruby Griffith Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Non-Musical.

The All-Round Production Excellence Award is a trophy made of sterling silver and depicts the masks of comedy and tragedy below the British Lion. The trophy was crafted by Garrards of London from an original design provided by an early member of the British Embassy Players. The two Outstanding Achievement Awards are plaques with the representation of the Lion and masks from the All-Round Excellency trophy. The two Outstanding Achievement Awards also include certificates for two runners-up.

The competition is currently open to any amateur theatre group meeting the established criteria. In this new century, the Ruby Griffith Awards program competition attracts on average about 50% of the approximately 70 amateur theatre groups in the region each season.

The Awards competition is currently administered by Eileen Kent.