EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE EDUCATION AWARD
PRESENTED BY
Behind every great performance is inspiration, and behind inspiration is a great teacher.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Excellence in Theatre Education Award, sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University, is presented each year by the Tony Awards. A panel of judges comprised of the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, Carnegie Mellon University and other leaders from the theatre industry selects the winner, based on candidates submitted by members of the public.
#ApplaudMyTeacher
The Tony Awards® and Carnegie Mellon University are looking for the teachers who create the next generation of theatre artists. These dedicated professionals discover talented students, nurture them, inspire them and set them off on a lifelong journey as theatre supporters and professionals.
THE EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE EDUCATION AWARD
Tell us the story of a theatre teacher who has changed someone’s life.
Each year we invite members of the public to submit candidates for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award by telling the story of a theatre educator who made a difference in their life, and the lives of others.
The award recognizes a K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who has demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession. The winning teacher will be recognized on the Tony Awards telecast on CBS. The award comes with a grant of $10,000 for the teacher's theatre program, and tickets for the winner to attend the Tony Awards ceremony and Gala.
MASTER CLASSES FROM CARNEGIE MELLON
The Tonys and Carnegie Mellon will recognize the person or persons who submitted the Excellence in Theatre Education winner with an additional prize: Theatre professionals from Carnegie Mellon will arrange a special master class presentation for the winner’s school or organization, or an equivalent student experience to be determined by Carnegie Mellon.
Need Help?
Questions: Visit our Award FAQ page.
Rules: View our complete rules.
Applications for the 2025 Educator Award are now closed.
Email: If you have questions about your application, please email us.
ELIGIBILITY
We invite members of the public to submit candidates for the Education Award. Your candidate must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- The candidate must be a current, living teacher at an accredited K-12 institution, or reputable theatre organization, located within the U.S.
- They must be a teacher whose position is dedicated to, or includes aspects of, theatre education.
- Self-submissions will not be accepted.
- Application Process is now closed for the 2025 award.
See requirements and deadline information below.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
For an educator to be considered a candidate for the award, applicants must submit the following materials by the deadline listed below:
- Online Submission Form: A completed online submission form, including name and contact information for your candidate.
- Photo: A color or black & white digital photo of the teacher.
- Three (3) Letters of Reference Letters may be submitted by any individual including, but not limited to, a colleague in the candidate’s school, an academic adviser or current supervisor, a former student, or a community leader. However, the letter cannot be submitted by the candidate themselves.
- Video: Tell us why this teacher deserves to receive the award. Demonstrate why the candidate has a compelling story, how they have gone above and beyond in the field of theatre education. For example, you might describe how the candidate has made a difference in the life of a student, school or community; or how they are working to advance and champion theatre education. We highly encourage your teacher to be present in the video as those submissions have been historically competitive. As this is an award for excellence in theatre, we encourage you to use excellent theatre to tell your teacher’s story.
Video Guidelines
- Videos may not exceed three minutes in duration.
- Video must be in MOV, AVI or WMV format, minimum resolution 320x240.
Who Can Submit
- We will accept submissions from students (for a current/past teacher) or from other individuals (submit a teacher you know as a candidate for the award).
- Self-submissions will not be accepted.
DEADLINE
The deadline for application materials including letters of recommendation for the 2025 award has passed. Check back soon for info on the 2026 award.
2024 Winner Announced
The Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University are please to announce the winner of the 2024 Excellence in Theatre Education Award:
CJay Philip, Founder and Creative Director of Dance & Bmore Theatre Programs in Baltimore, Maryland.
2024 Honorable Mentions
Alberta Labrillazo
Theatre and Drama Teacher at School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Lexington, KY
Alison Grimes
Music Director at Young Actors Theatre of Tallahassee in Tallahassee, Florida
Annie Dragoo
Musical Theatre Director / Fine Arts Department Chair at Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin, TX
Anthony "CJ" Cimino-Johnson
Theatre Teacher/ Executive Director at Rock Ridge High School/ Rock Ridge Performing Arts in Ashburn, VA
Christopher Permenter
Theatre Director, Mr. P at Ocean Springs High School in Ocean Springs, MS
Frank Gollon
Teacher, Faculty Advisor at Rochester High School (Rochester Alliance of Theatrical Students) in Rochester Hills, MI
Freddie Hendricks
Theatre Arts Educator and Director at Tri-Cities High School in East Point, GA
George Kon
Director at Alliance for Drama Education, Wallace Ryder Farrington High school in Honolulu, HI
Heather Leykam
Principal at P53K at MS88 School in Brooklyn, NY
Justin Harris
Arts Academy Manager at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center in Westhampton Beach, NY
Laura Garcia
Theatre Arts Director at J.W Williams Middle School in Rockwall, TX
Matthew Wolfe
Westerville City School District HS Theatre Teacher, Educational Theatre Association, Ohio Chapter Director/President at Westerville City Schools, International Thespian Theatre Troupe 513 in Westerville, OH
Rhonda Wilson
Founding Theater Director/Teacher at Star Center Theatre and Lincoln Middle School in Gainesville, Florida
Rochelle Walter
Theatre Director at Castle View High School in Castle Rock, CO
Roderick Justice
Artistic Director at The Childrens Theatre of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio
Ruthie Pincus
Theater Teacher/Founder and Executive Director at Hauppauge High School/Stage the Change, inc. In Hauppague, NY
Talia Jaime
Musical Theatre Teacher at Renaissance High School for Musical Theater in Bronx, NY
Tyler Wonders
English teacher and Artistic Director at Dauphin County Technical School; DCTS Theatre Program in Harrisburg, PA
2023 Winner
Jason Zembuch Young
Theater Director/Teacher
South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida
2023 Honorable Mentions
Director of Theater, NYC Department of Education in New York, NY
Theatre Teacher and Director, Charles E. Jordan High School in Durham, NC
Director of Education, Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, FL
Principal/Teacher, Denzel Washington School of the Arts in Mount Vernon, NY
Acting Faculty, Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX
Director of Musical Theater, Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA
Theater Teacher, Tri-Cities High School in East Point, GA
Acting Teacher, New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL
Theatre Director/Teacher and ASB Coordinator, Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, WA
Drama Director, Lakes High School in Lakewood, WA
Theatre Teacher, Dobson High School in Mesa, AZ
Artistic Director of Dance & Bmore/Creative Director of Voices of Carmen, Dance & Bmore in Baltimore, MD
Upper School Theatre Teacher, Miami Country Day School in Miami, FL
Creative Drama Specialist/ Drama Department Chair, Haven Middle School in Evanston, IL
Theatre Arts Teacher and Department Chair, Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, NY
DramaJam Director, MarbleJam Kids Inc. in Hackensack, NJ
2022 Winner
Roshunda Jones-Koumba
Theatre Director
G. W. Carver Magnet High School
Houston, Texas
2022 Honorable Mentions
Theatre Director,
Aggie Theatre-Albertville High School
Albertville, AL
Director of Education,
Gulfshore Playhouse
Naples, FL
Founding Artistic Director,
Vanguard Theater Company
Montclair, NJ
Principal/Teacher,
Denzel Washington School of the Arts
Mount Vernon, NY
Head of Theater Department
Wheeling Park High School
Wheeling, WV
Theatre Teacher/Director,
Scripps Ranch High School/Falcon Playhouse
San Diego, CA
Executive Director/Instructor/Theater Director,
The Center For Theater Arts
Pittsburgh, PA
Teaching Artist,
Franklin Furnace Archive, Inc.
Brooklyn, NY
Drama Teacher,
John Burroughs Middle School
Los Angeles, CA
Executive Director,
Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre
Daphne, AL
Theatre Arts Teacher,
Saugus High School
Saugus, CA
Artistic Director
Dance & Bmore/Creative Director of Voices of Carmen, Dance & Bmore
Baltimore, MD
Musical Theatre Faculty Director,
Miami Arts Studio 6-12 at Zelda Glazer
Miami, FL
Drama Teacher,
Brenda Cowan Elementary School
Lexington, KY
Artistic Director/Theater & Musical Theater Director,
George Washington Educational Campus/High School for Media and Communications
New York, NY
Founding Artistic Director/Theater Teacher,
Star Center Theatre
Gainesville, FL
Director of Theatre/District Theatre Educator,
Westerville City Schools
Westerville, OH
Theatre Teacher/Director,
South Plantation High School
Plantation, FL
2019 Winner
Madeline Michel
Theater Director
Monticello High School
Charlottesville, Va.
2019 Honorable Mentions
Theatre Director/Educator,
Garnet Valley High School
Glen Mills, Pa.
Theatre Teacher
Memorial High School
West New York, N.J.
Theatre Teacher
Houston High School
Germantown, Tenn.
Director of Acting/Musical Theater Program
North East School of the Arts
San Antonio, Tex.
Artistic Director
Destiny Arts Center
Oakland, Calif.
Costume Designer/Teacher- Technical Theatre
Edward R. Murrow High School
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Drama Teacher
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Austin, Tex.
Drama Teacher
Hedgepeth Williams Middle School of the Arts
Trenton, N.J.
Theatre Teacher and Director
Green Valley High School
Henderson, Nev.
Theater/ASB Teacher
Creative Performing Media Arts Middle School
San Diego, Calif.
Theatre Teacher/ Director
Wallenpaupack Area High School
Hawley, Pa.
Arts Director
DSST Green Valley Ranch High School
Denver, Colo.
Drama Teacher and Work Based Learning Coordinator
Fordham High School for the Arts
Bronx, N.Y.
Choir Director/Fine Arts Coordinator
Washburn High School
Minneapolis, Minn.
Theater Teaching Artist
P.S. Arts
Los Angeles, Calif.
Drama Teacher/Director
Hillcrest High School
Midvale, Utah
Resident Director/Choreographer
Professional Performing Arts School
New York, N.Y.
Director of Theatre
Union High School
Tulsa, Okla.
Senior Director of Programs
Sitar Arts Center
Washington, D.C.
Founder and President
Broadway in the H.O.O.D.
Las Vegas, Nev.
Theatre Teacher
Harrison School for the Arts/ Lakeland Senior High
Lakeland, Fla.
Head of Conservatory
South Coast Repertory
Costa Mesa, Calif.
Teacher/Director of Theatre Department
Fort Walton Beach High School
Fort Walton Beach, Fla
Theatre Arts Teacher
New Millenium Bronx Arts Academy
Bronx, N.Y.
Theatre Teacher and Director
South Plantation High School
Plantation, Fla.
2018 Winner
Melody Herzfeld
Drama Teacher
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Parkland, FL.
2018 Honorable Mentions
Musical Director
Palmyra Area High School
Palmyra, Pennsylvania
Theatre Director/Educator
Frank Sinatra School of the Arts
Queens, New York
Artistic Director
Destiny Arts Center
Oakland, California
Theater/Drama Teacher
Albany High School
Albany, NY
Theatre Teacher
Robert Frost Elementary School
Kirkland, Washington
Director of Theater Operations
Miami Children'ts Theater
Miami, Florida
Department Chair, Musical Theatre
Governor's School for the Arts
Norfolk, VA
Resident Teaching Artist
Walnut Street Theatre
Philadelphia, PA
Drama Teacher/Fine Arts Department Chair
Northside High School
Columbus, GA
Adjunct Faculty Music Theatre Workshop
Connection Director
New World School of the Arts High School
Miami, FL
Founder and Artistic Director
New Paradigm Theatre
Milford, CT
Cultural Arts Director
Decatur Park District
Decatur, IL
Producing Artistic Director
Washburn High School
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Theatre Director/ Educator
Morristown High School Theatre
Morristown, New Jersey
Theatre Teacher
West Orange County Consortium for Special Education
Huntington Beach, California
Founder and Artistic Director
The Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts
Columbia, MD
Director of Theater
Union Public Schools
Union High School
Tulsa, OK
Director of Drama and Dance
Crater Renaissance Academy
Central Point, OR
Senior Director of Programs
Sitar Arts Center
Washington, DC
Artistic Director
A Source of Joy Theatricals/Broadway in the HOOD
Las Vegas, NV
Theatre Director/Educator
Mary D. Bradford High School
Kenosha, WI
Producing Artistic Director & Founder
TADA! Youth Theatre
New York, NY
Artistic Director
George Washington High School
New York, NY
Founder/Artistic Director
Star Center Children's Theatre
Gainsville, FL
Director of Theatre Arts
South Plantation High School
Plantation, FL
2017 Winner
Rachel “Krum” Harry
Theatre Arts
Hood River Valley High School
Hood River, OR
2017 Honorable Mentions
Teacher
Memorial High School
West New York, NJ
Founder and Artistic Director
The Hurrah Players, Inc.
Norfolk, VA
Artistic Director
Destiny Arts Center at Destiny Arts Center
Oakland, CA
Fine Arts Teacher
Sky Harbour Elementary Dolphin Drama
San Antonio, TX
Director
Musical Theatre University
Rancho Mirage, CA
Teacher
Avondale High School - Avondale Theatre Company
Auburn Hills MI
Director of Theater
Stratford Academy
Macon, GA
Theatre Arts/English Teacher (Drama Director and Choreographer)
Thornton Fractional South High School
(affiliated with Oak Lawn Community Theatre)
Lansing, IL
Producing Artistic Director
Washburn High School Performing Arts Department at Washburn High School
Minneapolis, MN
Theatre Teacher
North Star Academy
Newark, NJ
Drama Teacher
Coral Reef Senior High School
Miami, FL
Founder and Artistic Director
Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts
Columbia, MD
Theatre Arts Teacher/Fine Arts Department Chair
Trimble Tech High School
Fort Worth, TX
Union Public Schools Director of Theater
Union High School
Tulsa, OK
Senior Director of Programs
Sitar Arts Center
Washington, DC
Drama Teacher
Central Academy of Technology and Arts
Monroe, NC
Theatre Teacher
Pittsburg High School
Pittsburg, KS
Teacher
Hillside High School
Durham, NC
Theater Director and Teacher
Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
Augusta, GA
Artistic Director
Star Center Children's Theatre, Inc
Gainesville, FL
2016 Winner
Drama Teacher/Director,
Cass Technical High School
Detroit, MI
2016 Finalists and Honorable Mentions
Finalist
Director of Education
Shakespeare & Company
Lenox, MA
Finalist
Artistic Director
Destiny Arts Center
Oakland, CA
Honorable Mention
8th Grade Special Education Teacher
Montgomery Upper Middle School
Skillman, NJ
Honorable Mention
Teacher
Memorial High School
West New York, NJ
Honorable Mention
Director of Education
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Orlando, FL
Honorable Mention
Competitive Drama Teacher/Drama 1 and 9 Teacher/
Performing Arts Center Director
Choctaw High School
Choctaw, OK
Honorable Mention
Director of Choirs & Theatre
Henry County High School
New Castle, KY
Honorable Mention
Teacher
Chatham Hall
Chatham, VA
Honorable Mention
Executive and Artistic Director
Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
and Founder & Executive Director
Upper Darby Summer Stage
Upper Darby, PA
Honorable Mention
Teacher
Edward R. Murrow High School
Brooklyn, NY
Honorable Mention
Theatre Teacher
Hood River Valley High School
Hood River, OR
Honorable Mention
Artistic Director
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose
San Jose, CA
Honorable Mention
Director of Arts Programming
Washburn High School
Minneapolis, MN
Honorable Mention
Theatre Arts and Speech Teacher
Montgomery Junior High School
Montgomery, TX
Honorable Mention
Instructor of Theatre
Interlochen Arts Academy
Interlochen, MI
Honorable Mention
Bard High School Early College
Queens, NY
Honorable Mention
Founder and Artistic Director
Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts
Columbia, MD
Honorable Mention
Director of Theatre
Union High School
Tulsa, OK
Honorable Mention
Program Director/Artistic Director
Cypress Academy of Performing Arts
Houston, TX
Honorable Mention
MLS Theatre Company
Amherst, OH
Honorable Mention
Teacher
Bradford High School/KUSD Theatre Arts
Kenosha, WI
Honorable Mention
Artistic Director/Founder and Media Specialist
Star Center Children’s Theatre,Inc.
Gainesville, FL
2015 Winner
Theater Arts Teacher
Northwest School of the Arts
Charlotte, N.C.
2015 Finalists
Director of Education
Grandstreet Theatre School
Helena, Montana
Theatre Department Director
Baltimore School for the Arts
Baltimore, MD