As the biggest night on Broadway gets closer, we've started seeing announcements for the recipients of some Special Tony Awards, and we are so proud of the Owls being honored!

Nikiya Mathis ('04) has been awarded a Special Tony Award for her career in wig construction. "Nikiya Mathis has transformed the approach to hair and wig design and hair maintenance in our theatres and her incredible work was rightly the centerpiece of this season’s incredible Jaja’s African Hair Braiding." - Interim Broadway League President Jason Laks. Speaking of, Jaja's African Hair Braiding has been nominated for Best Play, and featured Zenzi Williams ('12) in the cast!  Mathis has recently already won an Obie award for her work in hair and wig design AND a Drama Desk Award specifically for her work on Jaja's African Hair Braiding. So many congratulations to Nikiya! 

Philadelphia's Wilma Theater is also a winner - and with that in mind, we're sending a hearty congratulations to Co-Artistic Director and alum, Lindsay Smiling ('03)! The Wilma have received this year's Tony Award for Regional Theatre, which recognizes sustained achievement from a theater outside of NYC. The Wilma is the first theater in Philadelphia AND in PA to be awarded this honor. “The Wilma has made outstanding contributions to the world of theatre over the course of 45 years, maintaining an unwavering dedication to contemporary theatre and a commitment to the arts that began with its visionary introduction of avant-garde theatre to Philadelphia in 1979," say American Theatre Wing President and CEO Heather Hitchens and Broadway League Interim President Jason Laks in a joint statement.

The 77th Annual Tony Awards airs on June 16th and we can't wait! We also are rooting for Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club which is featuring alum Paige Smallwood (TFM '18).

Are you an Owl involved in a Tony Nominated show?  Let us know at [click-for-email]!