UNCSA alumni behind award-winning productions at the 2026 Tony Awards
From Tony Award-winning revivals and groundbreaking new musicals to a nationally recognized regional theater, UNCSA alumni and faculty were represented across the 2026 Tony Awards’ top honors. Their work helped shape productions that earned awards for directing, scenic design, lighting design, sound design, choreography, makeup design and more.
Named for theater pioneer Antoinette Perry, the Tony Awards are Broadway’s highest honor, recognizing excellence in live theater. The 2026 awards celebrated a standout season of new works and revivals, with several productions earning multiple wins across major categories.
Here’s a look at the Tony Award-winning productions and honorees with UNCSA connections — in alphabetical order.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball
One of the season’s most talked-about revivals, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” earned nine Tony Award nominations and won:
- Best Costume Design of a Musical
- Best Direction of a Musical
- Best Choreography
The production reimagined Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical through the lens of ballroom culture, earning widespread acclaim for its inventive staging and movement-driven storytelling.
UNCSA School of Drama alumna N’yomi Allure Stewart (B.F.A. ’21) contributed to the production as a Directorial Fellow/Associate Director. The production's acclaimed visual world also featured contributions from Design & Production alumni Theo Nottke (B.F.A. '25), Mara Trefzger (B.F.A. '24) and Kendall Brumley (B.F.A. '23), who worked as wig builders on the revival.
Death of a Salesman
The revival of Arthur Miller’s "Death of a Salesman" was one of the most decorated plays of the season, winning:
- Best Revival of a Play
- Best Direction of a Play
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
- Best Scenic Design of a Play
- Best Lighting Design of a Play
- Best Sound Design of a Play
School of Drama alumnus Joe Mantello (B.F.A. '84) won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play. One of Broadway’s most celebrated directors and producers, Mantello previously earned Tony Awards for “Assassins” and “Take Me Out.”
UNCSA School of Dance alumnus Zac Snyder (B.F.A. ’23) also contributed to the production through his work in Broadway production management and rentals, supporting multiple productions throughout the season.
The Lost Boys
With 12 Tony Award nominations and four wins, "The Lost Boys" emerged as one of Broadway’s most recognized productions of 2026.
The musical won Tony Awards for:
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
- Best Lighting Design of a Musical
- Best Sound Design of a Musical
- Best Scenic Design of a Musical
The stage adaptation of the cult classic film was praised for its immersive visual world and technical innovation.
Several UNCSA School of Design & Production alumni were part of the award-winning creative team, including:
- Christina Grant (M.F.A. '04), lead makeup designer
- Tayler Winer (B.F.A. '18), associate makeup designer
- Erik Plath (B.F.A. ‘11), lighting team
- Jill Sawyer (BFA ‘20), assistant hair and makeup supervisor
Ragtime
Broadway’s revival of "Ragtime" was among the most awarded productions of the year, earning 11 Tony Award nominations and winning:
- Best Revival of a Musical
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
- Best Orchestrations
- Best Scenic Design of a Musical
- Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Based on E.L. Doctorow’s acclaimed novel, "Ragtime" explores race, class and identity in early 20th-century America through a sweeping musical score and powerful storytelling.
School of Design & Production alumni contributed to the production’s visual and technical design, including:
- Sean Beach (B.F.A. '09), video programmer
- Brad Peterson (B.F.A. '09), co-projection designer
American Players Theatre receives Regional Theatre Tony Award
American Players Theatre (APT) in Spring Green, Wisconsin, received the 2026 Regional Theatre Tony Award, recognizing its national impact on the American theater landscape and its commitment to artistic excellence. The award also highlights a longstanding connection between APT and UNCSA’s School of Drama.
UNCSA Dean of Drama John Langs (B.F.A. ‘96) has directed 18 productions at APT over nearly two decades. His work has helped strengthen the theater’s collaborative culture while influencing UNCSA’s own training model, particularly its third-year repertory experience.
Sara Becker celebrating the company’s nationally recognized excellence in classical ensemble storytelling and actor training. / Photo: contributed
Sara Becker, associate professor of Drama at UNCSA, serves as APT’s Director of Voice and Text and has coached performers there for more than 16 seasons. Her work reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to classical training, ensemble storytelling and actor development.
Together, Langs, Becker and numerous UNCSA alumni working at APT have helped build a lasting artistic partnership between the nationally recognized theater and UNCSA.
Schmigadoon!
“Schmigadoon!” was one of the standout new musicals of the 2026 Broadway season, earning 12 Tony Award nominations and winning four awards:
- Best Musical
- Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
- Best Book of a Musical
- Best Orchestrations
Adapted from the Apple TV+ musical comedy series of the same name, “Schmigadoon!” delighted audiences with its affectionate tribute to classic Golden Age Broadway musicals, blending original music, comedy and theatrical spectacle.
Design & Production alumna Caitlin Molloy (M.F.A., ‘16) contributed to the production's wig and makeup team, helping create the stylized character looks and period-inspired designs that supported the show's vibrant visual storytelling.
Special Tony Award honors
UNCSA School of Music alumna Mary-Mitchell Campbell (H.S. Music, '92) received the 2026 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, which recognizes theater professionals who have made an extraordinary impact through volunteerism, advocacy and humanitarian service.
A Tony Award-winning music director, conductor and producer, Campbell has used her platform to champion advocacy and transformative arts-based service.
Did you catch a connection to a 2026 Tony win that is not included on this list? Send us an email(opens in new tab) and we will update the story.
by Natalie Shrader(opens in new tab)
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June 11, 2026