The anticipation is palpable as the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) community celebrates its alumni’s accomplishments in this year’s Tony Award nominations. President Farnam Jahanian expressed pride, stating, “Today, the Carnegie Mellon community celebrates the extraordinary talent and creative range of our alumni recognized among this year’s Tony Award nominees.” The accolades reflect the indelible mark CMU alumni have made on Broadway, both onstage and behind the scenes. With 66 Tony Awards to date, CMU’s School of Drama, the first degree-granting drama program in the U.S., continues its legacy into its 110th year.
Teachers in the Spotlight
Carnegie Mellon stands out as the exclusive higher education partner of The Tony Awards. Together, they co-created the annual Excellence in Theatre Education Award, initiated in 2015. This award highlights the significant contributions of K-12 theatre teachers across the nation. Each winner is chosen for their substantial impact on students, embodying the highest professional standards.
Gary Edwin Robinson, the 2025 recipient, recently engaged in a master class with CMU’s School of Drama faculty. The upcoming 2026 awardee will be announced later this spring, marking the 10th celebration of this honor at the Tony Awards in June. More details on this can be found here.
A Lifetime of Achievement
Jules Fisher, a 1960 graduate and honorary doctorate recipient in 2013 from CMU’s School of Drama, will be honored with the 2026 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre. Renowned as the “gold standard” in lighting design, Fisher’s career spans over 60 years, covering Broadway, film, and digital animation. He has received nine Tony Awards and 25 nominations. Outside of entertainment, Fisher co-founded Fisher Marantz Stone and Fisher Dachs Associates, leading firms in architectural lighting and theatre planning.
André Bishop and James Lapine will also receive Lifetime Achievement in Theatre awards this year.
P!NK Hosts The 79th Annual Tony Awards
Esteemed artist P!NK will host the 79th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall, airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on June 7, 2026. Known for her Grammy, Emmy, and MTV Video Music awards, P!NK also holds the BRITs Outstanding Contribution to Music Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among other honors.
P!NK’s music is currently featured in Broadway productions like “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” and “& Juliet.” Beyond her musical achievements, she is an advocate and philanthropist for causes including Autism Speaks and UNICEF USA, having received the Humanitarian Award from Action Against Hunger in 2025.
For further details, visit cmu.edu/tony-awards.
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