#United States #New York #Carnegie Mellon #Tony Awards #Theater Education

Carnegie Mellon University Celebrates Two Tony Award Winners at the 2025 Ceremony

The 78th Annual Tony Awards took place at the iconic Radio City Hall in New York on June 8, 2025, shining a spotlight on alumni from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). This prestigious event recognized the best performances and productions in Broadway history for the 2024-2025 season, hosted across multiple platforms including Pluto TV, Paramount+, and CBS.

Throughout the evening, CMU's presence was felt not just in the audience, but also on stage. The night featured several of its alumni including Renée Elise Goldsberry, a graduate from the School of Drama in 1993, and Leslie Odom, Jr., a 2003 alumnus. Both performers made a memorable reunion, marking the tenth anniversary of the groundbreaking musical "Hamilton." They had previously received Tony Awards in 2016 for their exemplary performances in the show. Not only were CMU alumni there as performers, they also included nominees and presenters, celebrating their collective achievements in the theater community.

Carnegie Mellon has a rich tradition of cultivating exceptional talent, both on and off stage. Its School of Drama is known as the oldest degree-granting drama school in the United States, regularly being ranked as one of the finest drama schools globally. At the 2025 Tony Awards, several CMU alumnae took home prestigious awards:

• - Natalie Venetia Belcon, a 1991 alumnus, received the Tony for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for her stunning performance in "Buena Vista Social Club."
• - Jamie deRoy, a producer from the Class of 1967, won for Best Revival of a Musical with her production of "Sunset Blvd."
• - Additionally, former CMU faculty member Paul Tazewell was honored with the Tony for Best Costume Design of a Musical for his outstanding work in "Death Becomes Her."

Expressing joy for the accolades of its alumni, CMU President Farnam Jahanian stated, "The Carnegie Mellon community is thrilled to have the brilliance and talents of our performing arts alumni recognized once again by the Tony Awards. They are among the most inspiring and influential forces in theatre arts today. Congratulations to all of this year's winners and nominees!"

Beyond awards, the Tony Awards also focus on fostering arts education throughout the United States. In 2014, a partnership between CThe Tony Awards and CMU led to the creation of the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, aimed at honoring outstanding K-12 drama teachers. This year, Gary Edwin Robinson, who leads the Theatre Arts Program at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, took home the award for his relentless passion and advocacy for arts education. He emphasized creating opportunities for students to explore various realms of art while inspiring them to pursue higher education.

Robinson's recognition included a $10,000 grant as well as the opportunity to conduct a master class for his students with faculty from CMU’s School of Drama. During the live CBS broadcast of the Tony Awards, choked with emotion, the honor was presented by CMU alumna and Tony and Grammy Award winner, Renée Elise Goldsberry.

Carnegie Mellon has become the first and only exclusive higher education partner of the Tony Awards, which underlines their shared commitment to nurturing future generations of theater professionals. With continuous support for educational initiatives and shining moments at nationally recognized events, CMU is making waves in the arts community, ensuring that the passion for theatre is passed down and continues to flourish for years to come.

For more information about Carnegie Mellon University and the Tony Awards, you can visit cmu.edu/tony-awards.

About Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon is an acclaimed private institution recognized internationally for its exceptional academic programs spanning the sciences, engineering, arts, humanities, and technology. The dedicated community at CMU is united in their pursuit of impactful work that enhances lives across multiple disciplines.

About the Tony Awards
The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards are one of the nation's most significant recognition systems for excellence in the theatre industry, presented annually by the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.