Billy Porter added to his list of Tony Award wins Sunday, taking home honors for Best Musical as producer of “A Strange Loop.”
The Pittsburgh native and 1991 Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama alumnus also won a 2013 Tony for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Lola in “Kinky Boots.”
Porter was one of three CMU drama alumni honored during the 75th annual awards presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Also recognized were:
• Producer Jamie deRoy from the Class of 1967, for Best Play for “The Lehman Trilogy” and Best Revival of a Musical for “Company.”
• Producer Kevin Emrick from the class of 2007, for Best Play for “The Lehman Trilogy,” Best Musical for “A Strange Loop” and Best Revival of a Musical for “Company.”
“Jamie, Kevin and Billy are not only terrific producers and artists, but they also remain incredible friends to Carnegie Mellon,” said Shannon Musgrave, CMU School of Drama director of marketing and communications. “Last night’s Tonys were a wonderful celebration of CMU. We also have an astonishing amount of alumni working on Broadway (in most, if not all of last night’s nominated productions) as managers, designers, makers, technicians, engineers, understudies and everything in between. We are equally proud of their excellent work, which doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves.”
During the evening’s In Memoriam segment, Porter sang “On The Street Where You Live” from “My Fair Lady,” a tribute to Broadway performers who passed away in the preceding year.
“Congrats to everyone — our cast, crew, all my fellow producers,” Porter said in an Instagram post. “Our stories matter, the(y) resonate, and they win!”
To date, CMU alumni have won 58 Tonys in categories ranging from on-stage performances to behind-the-scenes work.
Also during the ceremony, the 2022 Excellence in Theatre Education Award was presented to Roshunda Jones-Koumba, a drama teacher from G.W. Carver Magnet High School in Houston, Texas. Co-created by the Tonys and CMU, the award has been presented since 2015.
Jones-Koumba was honored for her exemplary drama curriculum, steadfast commitment to improving the lives of her students and positive impact on her community. She was selected from a nationwide call for entries.
“More than ever this season, performing arts and theatre education has demonstrated its power to bring people together, and to inspire and uplift us even during challenging times,” said CMU president Farnam Jahanian. “We applaud the artists — and the teachers — who are leading the way.”
