The Tony Awards® and Carnegie Mellon University are looking for the teachers who create the next generation of theatre artists. These are dedicated professionals who discover talented students, nurture them, inspire them, and set them off on a lifelong journey as theatre supporters and professionals.

Tell Us the Story of Your Teacher

Members of the public are invited to submit candidates for the 2016 Excellence in Theatre Education Award by telling us the story of a theatre educator who made a difference in their lives, and the lives of others. The winning teacher will receive the Award at the 70^th annual Tony Awards on June 12, and be acknowledged on the CBS telecast.

The winner will also receive cash prize for his or her school, a flight to New York City, hotel accommodations and a pair of tickets to the Tony Awards Ceremony and Gala. Additionally, a select number of finalists will each receive $1,000 for their schools, a flight for one to New York City, hotel accommodations and one ticket to the Tony Awards Nominee Luncheon.

To submit a candidate, use the online portal accessible from www.TonyAwards.com/educationaward. Candidates will be screened and vetted by a panel of judges from The Broadway League, the American Theatre Wing and Carnegie Mellon University. The finalists will be announced in the spring.

Honor the people who inspire new generations of theatre artists—tell us the story of a remarkable teacher you know today!

Visit TonyAwards.com/EducationAward for details.

About the Award

Last year’s inaugural Award received an outstanding response of worthy teachers. More than 4,300 submissions were received from 47 states across the country. After an intensive review process by a panel of judges, the Award was given to Corey Mitchell, theater arts teacher at the Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, N.C. Mitchell was recognized at the Tony Awards ceremony on June 7, 2015, at Radio City Music Hall during a pre-televised awards ceremony and during the live broadcast by CMU alumnus and actor Joe Manganiello.

“It has been my honor to be the first recipient of this award,” Mitchell said in his acceptance speech. “I thank Carnegie Mellon, The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing for creating this award, which provides recognition to arts educators and validates our work. I encourage people to honor their own teachers this year.”

“The amount of submissions we received last year was outstanding, and we were touched by how passionately theatre students across the country care about their teachers and the impact they have had on their lives,” said Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing, and Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, in a statement. “We hope that this year brings in even more submissions and can continue to honor deserving teachers and aid arts programs across the country for years to come.”

This annual honor 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. A panel of judges comprised of the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, Carnegie Mellon University and other leaders from the theatre industry will select the finalists and winner. The winner will receive a cash grant prize for his or her school, flights to New York City, hotel accommodations and a pair of tickets to the Tony Awards Ceremony and Gala. To learn more about the award criteria and to submit a teacher as a candidate for the award, visit tonyawards.com/educationaward and use #ApplaudMyTeacher when sharing on social media.

“We hope people will take the time to tell their own stories about the teachers who have influenced their lives and, ultimately, their careers – no matter whether they are in the entertainment industry or not,” said Daniel J. Martin, dean, College of Fine Arts at CMU. “We must thank those who expend their energy teaching us about the arts.”