Excellence in Theatre Education Award Is Open for Submissions

The Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University have now opened submissions for their second annual Excellence in Theatre Education Award.

Now through February 29, submissions are being accepted online for K-12 theater educators at an accredited institution or recognized community theater organization. Anyone, from students and school administrators, to friends, neighbors and family, can submit a worthy teacher for consideration. He or she must be a teacher whose position is dedicated to and/or includes aspects of theater education.

In 2015, its inaugural year, 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.

"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. "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."

A panel of judges from the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, Carnegie Mellon University, and other leaders from the theater 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.

The 2016 Tony Awards will take place at the Beacon on June 12 and will be telecast live on CBS at 8pm.

For more information and to submit a teacher as a candidate for the award, visit tonyawards.com/educationaward and use #ApplaudMyTeacher when sharing on social media.