Corey Mitchell, a teacher from the Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, NC, won the very first Theatre Education Award, presented by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University. The award was televised, and this is the first Tony Award that awards educators and reflects gratitude for educators. Nominees must be current teachers at an accredited K-to-12 institution or recognized community theater organization anywhere in the United States. More than 4,000 submissions were received, and included a $10,000 cash award.
“The submissions for these educators by their students and colleagues were extremely moving, and the lasting impact they have made was made very evident by the videos and stories they shared,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing, in a joint statement. “We are extremely honored to have this opportunity to recognize their outstanding work in this manner and are thrilled to have them join us on Sunday evening at the Tony Awards.”
Mitchell has taught drama for the past 14 years and has headed more than 70 school productions, including Pippin, Aida, Rent, and Hair. Most notably, in 2013, he led a cast, crew, and orchestra comprising of more than 100 people in a production of The Color Purple to the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska, and raised more than $170,000 in the process.
In an interview to the Star News in Wilmington, NC, Mitchell said, “The things we do in the theater as arts educators are so vital. They help to make students complete. I’m just grateful that the Tony Awards are acknowledging the contributions of all teachers.” He added, “No one takes a star bow at my school. I don’t believe in stars. I believe that the work itself is paramount, and that’s what should take center stage and not your own ego.”
Watch his acceptance speech!
