Gary Edwin Robinson Crowned First Black New Yorker to Earn Tony for Theatre Education Excellence

First Black New Yorker to Win the Tony for Teaching Theatre

Gary Edwin Robinson has done what no other Black New Yorker has done before—he won the 2025 Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre Education. The award was presented during the 78th annual Tony Awards, which aired live on June 8.

Robinson teaches theatre at the Boys and Girls Club in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. He has worked there for over ten years, helping young people find their voice through the power of theatre.

A Lifelong Passion for the Stage

Robinson’s love for performance started early. At just 15 years old, he sang at Radio City Music Hall with the all-city high school chorus. Years later, he returned to the same stage, not as a student performer, but as a Tony Award winner.

“Back then, I sang backup for Miss Diana Lewis on her Take Me Higher tour,” Robinson recalled in his acceptance speech. That moment helped spark his passion for teaching others how to shine on stage.

Teaching Theatre and Life Lessons

Over the years, Robinson’s students have gone on to act in plays, write for TV, and grow in confidence. But for him, it’s not just about performance—it’s about life.

“I love working with my students to help them find the theater in themselves,” Robinson shared during the awards. “When they shout, ‘I got it,’ that’s what brings me joy.”

Inspired by a Teacher, Now Inspiring Many

Robinson credits a Howard University professor for steering him toward teaching. That teacher once told him, “You are being trained to train people for careers in the theater. You’ve got that yes-it factor.”

That advice stuck with him. Robinson now shares that same belief with his own students. He wants them to see theatre as more than acting—it’s a tool for life, confidence, and communication.

Theatre Skills That Go Beyond the Stage

Robinson sees the value of theatre in everyday life. He tells even his athlete students that stage skills can lead to success off the court.

“You’ve got to sell a product during endorsements—that’s theatre,” Robinson told the New York Post. That’s why he encourages all students to take his class, no matter their future plans.

A Legacy That Keeps Giving

For more than a decade, Robinson has been more than a teacher—he’s been a mentor, director, actor, and cheerleader. His win marks not just a personal victory, but a victory for every student he’s guided.

With this Tony Award, Robinson’s work is now nationally recognized. Yet he remains focused on his students, helping each one find their voice—and their path—through theatre.