Faculty, Alums Shine at 2024 Tony Awards
We saw some familiar faces at the 77th Annual Tony Awards held on June 16! Congratulations to faculty and alums who performed, presented, took home awards, had productions that were nominated, or worked behind the scenes representing and supporting the incredible talent on Broadway! Here’s who we spotted.
1. Assistant Theatre Professor Michael Mendez
Mendez is featured in the ensemble of the Broadway musical Water For Elephants. The show was nominated for seven Tony Awards, with Mendez and castmates taking the stage for a performance of The Road Don’t Make You Young.
2. Michael Duling D’Angora ’04
What do the productions Suffs (which scored two trophies) and Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (which took home one) have in common? D’Angora ’04, who served as a co-producer of both. D’Angora is pictured here with adjunct Theatre faculty member Leigh Goldenberg ’04.
3. Leigh Goldenberg ’04
Goldenberg had plenty to celebrate on awards night: She’s the managing director of Philadelphia’s Wilma Theater, which received the 2024 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The prize recognizes a regional theatre company that has displayed a continuous level of artistic achievement contributing to the growth of theatre nationally—and is accompanied by a $25,000 grant. The Wilma Theater was a co-producer of FAT HAM, nominated for five Tony Awards last year.
4. Jackie Leon ’22
The Alicia Keys musical Hell’s Kitchen had a big night, with 13 nominations and two wins—and Leon was there, performing and celebrating alongside castmates. Leon plays the role of Jessica—which they originated during the musical’s 2023-24 Off-Broadway run—and appears in the ensemble.
5. Assistant Theatre Professor Jesmille Darbouze-Smith
Darbouze-Smith, who starred in the 2023 Broadway revival of A Doll’s House, presented the 2024 Excellence in Theatre Education Award, which recognizes a K-12 theatre educator.
6. Ellery Sandhu ’01, Eric Leiggi ’15, and Flynn Navin’ 20
Boutique talent agency The Mine—home of agents Sandhu and Leiggi and talent coordinator Navin—had several clients in Tony-nominated and award-winning productions, including Suffs and Back To The Future: The Musical.
7. Greg Uliasz ’12
Uliasz is a partner at MSA Talent Agency (and married to fellow Theatre alum Leiggi!). MSA represents a range of Broadway talent, including artists in six productions that were nominated or won 2024 Tony Awards, such as Suffs, and Cabaret. Here he is with client and Suffs choreographer Mayte Natalio.
8. Noah Pyzik ’19
Pyzik made his Broadway debut as The Deputy in Purlie Victorious, which had six nominations, with star Kara Young winning her first Tony.
9. Robert Reed-Jones ’05
Reed-Jones, vice president and head of theater at the advertising agency AKA North America, saw several clients win this season, including An Enemy of the People, Hell’s Kitchen, Cabaret, and Purlie Victorious.
Published: June 20, 2024
