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. The winning teacher will receive the inaugural Excellence in Theatre Education Award at 2015 Tony Awards on June 7, and be acknowledged on the CBS telecast.
The award includes a $10,000 cash prize for the teacher’s school, a flight for two to New York City, hotel accommodations and a pair of tickets to the Tony Awards Ceremony and Gala. Finalists will each receive $1,000 for their schools, a flight for one to New York City, hotel accommodations, and an invitation to an exclusive pre-Tony event.
Nominations will be accepted online, screened and vetted by a panel of judges from The Broadway League, the American Theatre Wing and Carnegie Mellon University. The award finalists will be announced in the spring; each will receive an honorarium and attend the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2015.
Give the ultimate thank you to the teacher who inspired you by nominating him or her!
The deadline for all materials (including required letters of recommendation) is11:59p.m. ET on March 31, 2015.
NOTE: Please read the Nominations FAQs before submitting your nomination.
View Nominations Criteria Here
The Panel of Judges
The panel of judges – representing the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League and Carnegie Mellon University – will select the award finalists and winner. The judges are:
To determine the award finalists and winner, these judges will review select nominations that were meticulously chosen by a larger group of experts in theatre and education from across the country.
"We are honored that this group of highly valued professionals has given their time and knowledge to help determine the finalists and winner for this inaugural award," Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, president of the American Theatre Wing, said.
View Introduction of Judges
The "Excellence in Theatre Education Award" will recognize 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 nominating period is open through March 31, 2015, and nominations are being accepted online. Nominees must be current K-12 educators at an accredited institution or recognized community theatre organization anywhere in the United States. He or she must be a teacher whose position is dedicated to and/or includes aspects of theatre education. To learn more about the award criteria and to nominate a teacher, please visit tonyawards.com/educationaward.
The award finalists will be announced in the spring and each will receive an honorarium. A single winner of the Excellence in Theatre Education Award will be recognized during the 69th Annual Tony Awards telecast at Radio City Music Hall on CBS at 8 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time), Sunday, June 7, 2015.
Carnegie Mellon's School of Drama is the oldest drama degree-granting program in the United States and celebrated its centennial in 2014. In the past century, CMU has produced hundreds of Tony nominees and its alumni have won 39 awards to date. During last year's live Tony Awards telecast, CMU alumni Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer announced the upcoming educator award initiative.
About the Tony Awards
The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Robert E. Wankel is Chairman and Charlotte St. Martin is Executive Director. At the American Theatre Wing, William Ivey Long is Chairman and Heather Hitchens is President. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment are the Executive Producers of the 2015 Tony Awards. Mr. Weiss will also serve as Director of the 2015 Tony Awards.
IBM, the official information technology partner of the Tony Awards, develops, designs, and hosts the official Tony Awards digital experience including www.TonyAwards.com, across digital platforms. Carnegie Mellon University is the first-ever, exclusive higher education partner of the Tony Awards. United Airlines is the official airline of the Tony Awards. Paramount Hotel is the official hotel partner of the Tonys. City National Bank is the official bank of the Tony Awards. La Crema, known for elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, is the official wine of the Tony Awards and presenting sponsor of the Broadway in Hollywood event. PEOPLE is the official magazine partner of the Tony Awards. Clear Channel Spectacolor is an official media partner of the Tony Awards and co-producer of the Tonys Simulcast in Times Square.
About Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon (www.cmu.edu) is a private, internationally ranked research university with programs in areas ranging from science, technology and business, to public policy, the humanities and the arts. More than 13,000 students in the university's seven schools and colleges benefit from a small student-to-faculty ratio and an education characterized by its focus on creating and implementing solutions for real problems, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. A global university, Carnegie Mellon has campuses in Pittsburgh, Pa., California's Silicon Valley and Qatar, and programs in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and Mexico.
