Best of Broadway: CCM alumni nominated in Tony Awards

Annually recognized by Playbill as one of the top schools most represented on Broadway, UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) has many alumni working on stage and behind-the-scenes in New York's professional theaters. Multiple CCM alumni have been recently recognized for their work, including in award nominations for the 2026 Tony Awards, Chita Rivera Awards, Drama Desk Awards and Drama League Awards.

This year’s Tony Awards are held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 7. Hosted by music superstar P!NK, the American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

CCM alumni recongized in the 2026 Tony Awards include:

• Shoshana Bean (BFA Musical Theatre, '99), nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for her role as Lucy Emerson in The Lost Boys
• Isabella Byrd (BFA Lighting Design and Technology, '09), nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Play as the Lighting Designer on Dog Day Afternoon
• Stephen Flaherty (BM Composition, ’82), composed the music for Ragtime, featuring a book by Terrence McNally and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; Ragtime is nominated for Best Revival of a Musical
• Kevin McCollum (BFA Musical Theatre, ’84; HonDoc, '05), is a producer for Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), nominated for Best Musical
• Marla Mindelle (BFA Musical Theatre, '09), nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role as Céline Dion in Titaníque, nominated in Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical as a co-author and producer for Titaníque

Additional CCM alumni working on 2026 Tony Award-nominated productions include:

• Ryan Behan (BFA Musical Theatre, '26) in The Lost Boys
• Grace Capeless (BFA Musical Theatre, '26) in The Lost Boys
• Max Clayton (BFA Musical Theatre, '14) in Schmigadoon!
• Kerry Conte (BFA Musical Theatre, '06) in Ragtime
• Jenny Mollet (BFA Musical Theatre, '19) in Ragtime
• Danny Percefull (BFA Musical Theatre, '05) in Ragtime pit orchestra
• Samantha Pollino (BFA Musical Theatre, '16) in Chess
• John Riddle (BFA Musical Theatre, '12) in Titaníque

The Chita Rivera Awards promote and recognize dance and choreographic excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in film. This year's awards were held at NYU's Skirball Center at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18.

CCM alumni recognized in the 2026 Chita Rivera Awards include:

• Max Clayton (BFA Musical Theatre, '14), won the award for Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show for his role in Schmigadoon!
• Cody Williams (BFA Musical Theatre, '09), nominated for Outstanding Direction of a Dance Documentary for his work on "Playing The Palace"

The Drama Desk Awards are among the most esteemed honors in New York theater, recognizing outstanding achievements across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-off-Broadway productions. Hosted by CCM alumna Marla Mindelle (BFA Musical Theatre, '09), this year's awards were held at NYC's The Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. 

CCM alumni recognized in the 2026 Drama Desk Awards include:

• Isabella Byrd (BFA Lighting Design and Technology, '09), nominated for Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play
• Max Clayton (BFA Musical Theatre, '14), nominated for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical for his role in Schmigadoon!
• Stephen Flaherty (BM Composition, ’82), composed the music for Ragtime, featuring a book by Terrence McNally and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; Ragtime won the award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical
• Kevin McCollum (BFA Musical Theatre, ’84; HonDoc, '05), is a producer for Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), nominated for Outstanding Musical
• Erin Morton (BFA Musical Theatre student), nominated for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical for her role in Heathers The Musical

The Drama Leage Awards recognize outstanding achievements on and Off-Broadway. This year's awards were held at NYC's Ziegfeld Ballroom on Friday, May 15.

CCM alumni recognized in the 2026 Drama League Awards include:

• Shoshana Bean (BFA Musical Theatre, '99), nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award for her role as Lucy Emerson in The Lost Boys
• Stephen Flaherty (BM Composition, ’82), composed the music for Ragtime, featuring a book by Terrence McNally and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; Ragtime won the award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical
• Kevin McCollum (BFA Musical Theatre, ’84; HonDoc, '05), is a producer for Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), nominated in Outstanding Production of a Musical
• Marla Mindelle (BFA Musical Theatre, '09), nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award for her role as Céline Dion in Titaníque, nominated in Outstanding Production of a Musical as a co-author and producer for Titaníque

The Broadway Women's Fund partners with industry leaders and invests in projects led by women and those identifying as women, aiming to achieve meaningful social impact and favorable returns. Each year they release a list of "Women to Watch on Broadway," which highlights emerging female leaders in the New York Theatre industry. This year's list included CCM alumna Alex Brock (MFA Sound Design, '22). 

Featured image at the top: New York Manhattan street crossroad junction road sign featuring Broadway street.