The Tony Awards has named Gary Edwin Robinson as the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Award. Presented by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), the award honors the achievement and impact of a K-12 theater educator in the U.S.
Robinson is the head of the theater arts program at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn. During his tenure with the school, Robinson has proved a commitment to arts access, having developed programming opportunities to expose students, often from underserved communities, to real-world opportunities in the industry. The school’s Career and Technical Education pathway allows Robinson’s students to shadow Broadway professionals, gaining technical and soft skills in the arts, as well as the confidence to pursue careers in theater. Via additional programs, Robinson has taken students to productions both on and Off-Broadway, as well as feature films.
“Edwin’s dedication to empowering the next generation of artists, both on and off the stage, is both profound and inspiring,” said CMU president Farnam Jahanian in a statement. “Carnegie Mellon University is thrilled to help recognize his impact in arts education and to celebrate his record of equipping students with the skills, confidence and community needed for lifelong success.”
“Edwin not only delivers a powerful arts curriculum in the classroom, but he also brings students to meet the arts where they live onstage, backstage, in the community and in the world,” added Broadway League president Jason Laks and American Theatre Wing CEO Heather Hitchens. “We’re thrilled to celebrate Edwin’s commitment and accomplishments with the 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Award.”
Robinson’s background spans multiple disciplines within the arts. A graduate of P.S. 147 Elementary School, Robinson played flute and sang baritone in the choir at Queens’ Andrew Jackson High School. Robinson studied at Dance Theatre of Harlem and Howard University, where he earned a BFA in theater education.
“I get up and go to work, but it’s theater to me,” Robinson said. “It’s very special when you see talent in young people, and they go on to colleges and universities to major in theater arts. I knew from an early age this is what I wanted to do, and I want to help others find their way.”
Robinson holds the distinction of being the first New York City-based educator to receive this citation. The award comes with a $10,000 prize for the Boys and Girls’ theater arts program, as well as a visiting master class from CMU drama professors.
Robinson will be celebrated at the 2025 Tony Awards, which will take place on June 8 at Radio City Music Hall. Cynthia Erivo will host the ceremony, which will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Darren Criss and Renée Elise Goldsberry will host the awards’ pre-show, “Act One,” which will stream live from 6:40 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. ET for free on Pluto TV.
The Tony Awards are being presented by the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.
