A High School Theater Teacher and a Non-Binary Actor Wis Tony Award

This year’s Tony Awards for Theater Education and Best Lead Actor of a Play have been announced on June 8th. Gary Edwin Robinson, a leader of a theater program at a high school, won the Tony Award for theater education. On the other hand, Cole Escola, the actor for Mary Todd Lincoln for the play “Oh Mary!”,
At Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, Gary Edwin Robinson teaches a theater arts program that gives students opportunities and exposes them to skillful professionals while also creating new experiences for them. According to the New York Times, “He said that the theater program, which is about nine years old, prepares students for a pathway into the industry through internships where students can work with professionals.” His award, which was presented by Carnegie Mellon University, the American Theater Wing, and the Broadway League, included $10,000 for his theater program.
Mr. Robinson graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in the Bronx and continued his education at the Dance Theater of Harlem as well as Howard University. At Howard University, he earned his bachelor’s degree i fine arts in theater education. Even after teaching theater for 35 years, he does not plan to retire. In fact, he said, “I will never retire from the theater, this is what I do. I get up and I go to work every day and I report to a black box theater. It just so happens this theater is at a school.”
The other Tony Award winner for the best lead actor in a play was Cole Escola. After receiving their first Tony Award, they became the first non-binary actor to receive this award. His winning role was Mary Todd Lincoln in the comedic Broadway “Oh, Mary!”, who hopes to be a chanteuse.
Although there are many other Tony Award winners that were announced, some winners, such as Cole Escola and Gary Robinson, need a bigger spotlight. Cole Escola just became the first non-binary to receive such a big award while Gary finally got the recognition he deserved after teaching theater at a high school for over 35 years.

Share