Tony Award-Winning Alumni

John Arthur Kennedy in "Troilus and Cressida" (performed 1934-35)

The Tony Awards began in 1947 when the American Theatre Wing established an awards program to celebrate excellence in the theatre. To date, Carnegie Mellon University alumni have won 60 Tony Awards, with CMU's School of Drama consistently ranked as one of the top drama schools internationally.

CMU alumni have earned Tony nominations for 15 consecutive years with six nominations for 11 awards this year. Tune in on June 16th to see who wins the 77th Tony Awards. 

Special thanks to archivist Julia Corrin for the incredible archival images. Feature image of Tony Award winner and College of Fine Arts alumnus John Arthur Kennedy in Shakespeare's "Troilus and Cressida" (Produced by School of Drama, 1934-35). 


Patina Miller, College of Fine Arts 2006
Actress (Musical), 2013
"Pippin"

Patina Miller in "Urinetown" (2005-06)
Patina Miller in "Urinetown" (Produced by School of Drama, 2005-06)

Leslie Odom Jr., College of Fine Arts 2003
Actor (Musical), 2016
"Hamilton"

Leslie Odom, Jr. in "One Red Flower"
Leslie Odom, Jr. in "One Red Flower" (Produced by School of Drama)

Peter Hylenski, College of Fine Arts 1997
Best Sound Design of a Musical, 2020
"Moulin Rouge! The Musical"


Christian Borle, College of Fine Arts 1995
Actor, Featured Role (Play), 2012
"Peter and the Starcatcher"

Christian Borle in "The Cherry Orchard" (1993-94)
Christian Borle in "The Cherry Orchard" (Produced by School of Drama, 1993-94)

Renée Elise Goldsberry, College of Fine Arts 1993
Actress (Musical), 2016
"Hamilton"

Renée Elise Goldsberry in "Nicholas Nickleby"
Renée Elise Goldsberry in "Nicholas Nickleby" (Produced by School of Drama)

Sutton Foster, College of Fine Arts 1992-93
Actress (Musical), 2002
“Thoroughly Modern Millie”

Actress (Musical), 2011
“Anything Goes”


Billy Porter, College of Fine Arts 1991
Actor (Musical), 2013
"Kinky Boots"

Billy Porter in "A Chorus Line" (1990-91)
Billy Porter in "A Chorus Line" (Produced by School of Drama, 1990-91)

Katie Finneran, College of Fine Arts 1989-1990
Actress, Featured Role (Musical), 2010
"Promises, Promises"

Actress, Featured Role (Play), 2002
"Noises Off"


Pamela Winslow Kashani, College of Fine Arts 1987
Best Musical as Producer, 2010
"Memphis"

Pamela Winslow Kashani in "The Odyssey" (1986-87)
Pamela Winslow Kashani in "The Odyssey" (Produced by School of Drama, 1986-87)

Peggy Eisenhauer, College of Fine Arts 1983
Lighting Design, 2013
"Lucky Guy"

Lighting Design, 2004
"Assassins"

Lighting Design, 1996
"Bring in da Noise/Bring in da Funk"


Tamara Tunie, College of Fine Arts 1981
Best Musical as Producer, 2007
"Spring Awakening"

Tamara Tunie in "Berlin to Broadway" (1981)
Tamara Tunie in "Berlin to Broadway" (Produced by School of Drama, 1981)

Cherry Jones, College of Fine Arts 1978
Actress (Play), 2005
"Doubt"

Actress (Play), 1995
"The Heiress"

Cherry Jones in "Faith, Hope and Charity" (1977)
Cherry Jones in "Faith, Hope and Charity" (Produced by School of Drama, 1977)

Martin Platt, College of Fine Arts 1971
Producer, Best Play, 2013
"Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike"


Judith Light, College of Fine Arts 1970
Actress, Featured Role (Play), 2013
"The Assembled Parties"

Actress, Featured Role (Play), 2012
"Other Desert Cities"

Judith Light in "Tango" (1969-70)
Judith Light in "Tango" (Produced by School of Drama, 1969-70)

Jamie deRoy, College of Fine Arts 1967
Producer, Best Play, 2023
"Leopoldstadt"

Producer, Best Revival of a Musical, 2023
"Parade"

Producer, Best Play, 2020
"The Inheritance"

Producer, Best Play, 2019
"The Ferryman"

Producer, Best Musical, 2018
"The Band's Visit"

Producer, Best Revival of a Musical, 2018
"Once on This Island"

Producer, Best Revival of a Play, 2018
"Angels in America"

Producer, Best Musical, 2014
"A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder"

Producer, Best Play, 2013
"Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike"Best Revival (Play) as producer, 2009
"The Norman Conquests"


John Arthur Kennedy, College of Fine Arts 1936, 1966
Actor, Supporting or Featured (Dramatic), 1949
"Death of a Salesman"

John Arthur Kennedy in "Alcestis" (1934-35)
John Arthur Kennedy in "Alcestis" (Produced by School of Drama, 1934-35)

Rene Auberjonois, College of Fine Arts 1962
Actor, Supporting or Featured (Musical), 1970
"Coco"

Actor, Featured Role (Musical), 2015
"Something Rotten"

Rene Auberjonois in "The Marriage of Figaro" (1961)
Rene Auberjonois in "The Marriage of Figaro" (Produced by School of Drama, 1961)

Eugene Lee, College of Fine Arts 1962
Scenic Designer, 2004
"Wicked"

Scenic Designer, 1979
"Sweeney Todd"

Scenic Designer, 1974
"Candide"


Mel Shapiro, College of Fine Arts 1961
Book (Musical), 1972
"Two Gentlemen of Verona"

Mel Shapiro in "Boy Meets Girl" (1960-61)
Mel Shapiro in "Boy Meets Girl" (Produced by School of Drama, 1960-61)

Roger Morgan, College of Fine Arts 1961
Lighting Design, 1979
"The Crucifer of Blood"


Jules Fisher, College of Fine Arts 1960
Lighting Design, 2013
"Lucky Guy"

Lighting Design, 2004
"Assassins"

Lighting Design, 1996
"Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk"

Lighting Design, 1992
"Jelly's Last Jam"

Lighting Design, 1991
"The Will Rogers Follies"

Lighting Design, 1990
"Grand Hotel, The Musical"

Lighting Design, 1978
"Dancin'"

Lighting Design, 1974
"Ulysses in Nighttown"

Lighting Design, 1973
"Pippin"

Jules Fisher working on Shakespeare's "Love's Labor's Lost" (1958-59)
Jules Fisher working on Shakespeare's "Love's Labor's Lost" (Produced by School of Drama, 1958-59)

Herb Gardner, College of Fine Arts 1956
Play, 1986
"I'm Not Rappaport"


Ann Roth, College of Fine Arts 1953
Costume Design (Play), 2013
"The Nance"

Ann Roth in "Excursion" (1950)
Ann Roth in "Excursion" (Produced by School of Drama, 1950)

Ellis Rabb, College of Fine Arts 1953
Director (Play), 1976
"The Royal Family"

Ellis Rabb in "Ring around the Moon" (1952-53)
Ellis Rabb in "Ring around the Moon" (Produced by School of Drama, 1952-53)

Lester Rawlins, College of Fine Arts 1950
Actor (Play), 1978
"Da"

Lester Rawlins in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1948)
Lester Rawlins in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Produced by School of Drama, 1948)

Sada Thompson, College of Fine Arts 1949
Actress (Dramatic), 1972
"Twigs"

Sada Thompson in "The Cherry Orchard" (1948-49)
Sada Thompson in "The Cherry Orchard" (Produced by School of Drama, 1948-49)

Source: CMU Awards

 


by Shannon Baldridge, Web & Digital Content Specialist