Georgia Educator Honored with Top Theatre Education Award
Inside the vibrant walls of Utopian Academy for the Arts in Ellenwood, Georgia, Freddie Hendricks’ theatre arts classroom is adorned with the words great, greater, and greatness, reflecting the ethos he instills in his students. Now, Hendricks himself has achieved another milestone by being named the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Excellence in Theatre Education Award (EITEA), an honor bestowed by Carnegie Mellon University and The Tony Awards since 2014.
Hendricks, a dedicated arts educator with over 30 years of experience, is the 10th theatre arts teacher to receive this award. Previously, he was recognized with honorable mentions in 2023 and 2024. The award celebrates K-12 theatre educators in the U.S. who profoundly impact students’ lives, embodying the profession’s highest standards. As part of the award, Hendricks will receive a $10,000 grant for Utopian Academy, tickets to the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall, and a master class for his students taught by CMU Drama professors.
“I am so grateful for this honor. I tell my students, ‘You’re born great. When you find your passion, you’re living in your greatness, and the next step is to be greater,’” Hendricks shared. “I found my passion. I believed. I had faith. My mantra is this: ‘Greatness is inevitable when focus marries passion, and the desire is as strong as the need.’”
Hendricks, a native of Georgia, attributes his love for the arts to his upbringing and the inspiration from his grandparents. “They taught me about God and to love myself,” he said, a lesson he now imparts to his students.
Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian remarked, “Freddie Hendricks’ belief in the transformative power of arts education reflects a commitment we hold deeply at Carnegie Mellon: that the arts are an essential part of a well-rounded education, by fostering creativity, empathy and leadership.”
At Utopian Academy, Hendricks leads a rigorous, ensemble-based program covering acting, movement, and storytelling, while also engaging with community initiatives such as partnerships with the NAACP and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. He extends his teaching to students in London through virtual classes. Hendricks founded the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, an African American theatre company dedicated to empowering young artists through socially conscious storytelling.
Many of Hendricks’ former students have achieved success in the arts, including Broadway and film, with notable alumni like Tony Award nominees Justin Ellington and Kandi Burruss. Artesius Miller, one of Hendricks’ former students and founder of Utopian Academy, praised Hendricks’ influence: “Freddie inspired me to open Georgia’s first charter school for the performing arts, expanding access for students of all backgrounds to learn from top creative professionals.”
Miller described Hendricks as “a force for excellence in both theatre and the classrooms at Utopian Academy for the Arts,” highlighting his multifaceted talent as an actor, singer, dancer, director, and educator.
Despite personal challenges, including a battle with cancer, Hendricks remained committed to his students and the arts, returning to teaching drama at Utopian Academy following successful treatment.
The upcoming Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 7 will be hosted by P!NK, with the event broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
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