Carnegie Mellon Alumnae Shine at 2025 Tony Awards

The 2025 Tony Awards celebrated Broadway's finest on Sunday night, with two notable alumnae from Carnegie Mellon University taking center stage. Natalie Venetia Belcon, a distinguished graduate from the School of Drama in 1991, earned the Tony for Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for her captivating performance in "Buena Vista Social Club."

In a parallel achievement, Jamie deRoy, who graduated in 1967, was recognized for her exceptional producing work on "Sunset Blvd.," which clinched the award for Best Revival of a Musical. This recognition highlights the significant contributions of CMU alumni to the theater industry.

Adding to the accolades, former CMU faculty member Paul Tazewell received the Tony for Best Costume Design of a Musical for his work on "Death Becomes Her." His win underscores the university's influence in shaping talent within the performing arts.

With these latest victories, Carnegie Mellon University's total Tony Awards count has now reached an impressive 66. The institution continues to foster excellence in theater arts, as evidenced by its alumni's ongoing success.

Among the performers at the awards ceremony were other CMU alumni, including Renée Elise Goldsberry (1993) and Leslie Odom, Jr. (2003), who reunited with their original castmates to commemorate the 10th anniversary of "Hamilton." Both Goldsberry and Odom previously won Tonys in 2016 for their roles in the groundbreaking musical.

"The Carnegie Mellon community is thrilled to have the brilliance and talents of our performing arts alumni recognized once again by the Tony Awards," stated CMU President Farnam Jahanian. "They are among the most inspiring and influential forces in theatre arts today. Congratulations to all of this year's winners and nominees!"

The complete list of winners is available through various platforms, showcasing the breadth of talent celebrated during this prestigious event.