Exuding Excellence
Two alumni, one honorary degree recipient, and one associate professor from Carnegie Mellon University took home Primetime Emmy Awards this year.
Eleven CMU alumni were nominated in total, across the categories of acting, writing, producing, art direction, costumes and lighting — a reflection of the breadth and depth of education students receive in CMU's School of Drama.
The winners were:
- James Cromwell (A'64), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, "American Horror Story: Asylum";
- Eugene Lee (A'62), Outstanding Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming, "Saturday Night Live,"
- Robert A. Dickinson, Honorary Degree Recipient (2005), Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special, "The 55th Annual Grammy Awards," and
- Suttirat Larlarb, Associate Professor of Costume Design, Outstanding Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming, as part of the team who produced the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, NBC.
The other nominations were:
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie Zachary Quinto (A'99), "American Horror Story: Asylum";
- Outstanding Art Direction for a Multi-Camera Series John Shaffner (A'76), nominated twice in this category for "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two And A Half Men"; Ann Shea (A'80), also nominated twice in this category for "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two And A Half Men";
- Outstanding Costumes for a Series Eduardo Castro (M'77), "Once Upon A Time";
- Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For a Variety Special Robert A. Dickinson (Hon 2005), "The Oscars";
- Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series Jeffrey Klarik (A'69), "Episodes"; and
- Outstanding Art Direction For A Miniseries Or Movie Mark Worthington (A'91), nominated twice in this category, "American Horror Story: Asylum"; Edward Rubin (A'82), "American Horror Story: Asylum."
"Southland" received a nomination for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Miniseries or Movie, and "Shameless" received a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. Both shows are produced by alumnus John Wells' (A'79) company, John Wells Productions.
Earlier this year CMU alumni swept the 67th Annual Tony Awards, winning eight awards in six categories. In case you missed it, our 2013 Tony Award winners were:
- Best Lighting Design of a Play Jules Fisher (A'60, H'13) and Peggy Eisenhauer (A'83), "Lucky Guy";
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play Judith Light (A'70) for her role in "The Assembled Parties." (In 2012, she won the same award for "Other Desert Cities");
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Patina Miller (A'06), "Pippin," penned by Stephen Schwartz (A'68) while he was a student at Carnegie Mellon;
- Best Play Martin Platt (A'71) and Jamie deRoy (A'67), who produced "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike";
- Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical Billy Porter (A'91), "Kinky Boots"; and
- Best Costume Design of a Play Ann Roth (A'53, H'00), "The Nance."
The Hollywood Reporter recently rated CMU's School of Drama among the world's best drama schools, ranking it fourth in its top 25.
Related Links: College of Fine Arts | School of Drama | CMU Alumni: Performing Arts Awards