BWW Features: Act Two @ Levine Cast Members Nominate Kevin Kuchar for Excellence in Theatre Education Award, Presented by Carnegie Mellon University and the Tony Awards

Over the past several years, I've featured several theatre education programs aimed at youth in the Washington, DC area here on BroadwayWorld.Com. Among those I've been most impressed with has been Act Two @ Levine, developed and led by Kevin Kuchar. Musical theatre students gain experience in performing, as well as other aspects of the theatre as they work on full productions and participate in masterclasses with some of the industry's best known performers, writers, and educators. Through partnerships with local regional theatres - including Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Arena Stage - the cast members (as they are known) are provided opportunities to present their shows on some of the same stages that some of our best actors perform. Those shows, I might add, are a varied set. In past years, for example, those participating in the Pre-Professional Program - one of three theatre training programs or "companies" that Act Two @ Levine offers - have worked on challenging and contemporary works like Next to Normal and most recently Big Fish, as well as more widely known, but no less challenging ones like Sweeney Todd and Rent.

A group of current and alumni Act Two @ Levine cast members have recognized the impact that Mr. Kuchar and his program has had on them and, in March 2015, nominated him for the inaugural Excellence in Theatre Education Award, presented by Carnegie Mellon University and the Tony Awards. Carnegie Mellon and the Tony Awards describe what kind of teachers they are seeking to honor as follows: "teachers who create the next generation of theatre artists...dedicated professionals who discover talented students, nurture them, inspire them, and set them off on a lifelong journey as theatre supporters and professionals." The award finalists and winner will be announced this spring, and the winner will receive the honor at this year's Tony Award ceremony on June 7 and be acknowledged on the telecast.

The decision to nominate Mr. Kuchar for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award was a group one and many current and alumni Act Two cast members were involved in executing that decision, including developing the video nomination package, which can be seen below. Paige Cilluffo, now in her second year in Act Two @ Levine's Pre-Professional Program, found out about the nomination opportunity in an email from the Thespian Honor Society, of which she is a member for her high school. She explained that "immediately, Kevin Kuchar came to mind and I couldn't think of a more suitable candidate for this great honor." Boston Conservatory sophomore Emily Cochrane, a founding member of the Pre-Professional Program and "still an active member of the Act Two family," learned of the new award from her Act Two @ Levine friends. She said that "after a little discussion we realized that we needed to nominate Kevin because he completely deserves this award and honor."

Kevin Kuchar - Excellence in Theatre Education Award Nomination - TONY 2015 from CYM Media on Vimeo.

When BroadwayWorld.Com DC asked Paige and Emily to elaborate on why the group nominated Kevin, they provided the following responses:

Paige: There's a generation of theatre professionals working today in community, collegiate, regional, national tour and Broadway theatres that all have the same thing in common - they were taught by Kevin, and many from the age of eight to the age of eighteen. As his students, we know what we have because of Kevin is a one of a kind curriculum and studio. Kevin is in a league of his own amongst all the other coaches, and directors. He can be tough as nails, but it's because he respects each of us as individuals and treats us like true adults. He appreciates suggestions and allows us to truly live in the storyline of each show. By the end of each season it's amazing to see how each cast member has blossomed into a completely different and confident individual. This allows students from more than a decade ago and his students learning from him today to feel a sense of pride and privilege to be able to nominate him for this [award].

Emily: We decided to nominate Kevin because he is not only a teacher, but a true friend. I can speak for every single cast member when I state that we would not be who we are today without Kevin. He creates a safe and loving environment for his students and cares about us as if we were his own children. He teaches not only about how to be an artist but how to be an honest person. Through his "once a cast member always a cast member" policy, Kevin has created a true family through Act Two and we truly believe that no one deserves this award more than he does.

When asked how Kevin's teaching/mentoring has impacted them personally, Paige and Emily expanded even further on the undeniable impact their teacher has had on their lives.

Paige: I have grown tremendously both personally and professionally, and have gained confidence in myself and the roles I play. Kevin has given me the opportunity to play a wide spectrum of characters as well as educated me more thoroughly on the real world of showbiz. I have learned to appreciate the art of theater in a way that can't be described, and am excited to continue to work towards my dream, under the guidance of the man who helped spark my passion in performing.

Emily: I can attribute most all of the success I have had as a performer and as a person to Kevin. Theatrically Kevin truly taught me how to perform. I know that I would not be where I am [today] - at the Boston Conservatory and on my way to being a professional performer - without him. Personally, Kevin has changed my life. He has become a father figure to me. I know that I can go to him about anything at any time of day and he would drop anything to help me, or any of his students. I go back to see Kevin whenever I am home to catch him up on my life, share with him my successes and failures, and ask for advice about what jobs to take for the summer. His opinion is one I really value and will listen to no matter what. I know that Kevin will continue to be an active part of my life and I cannot wait to see where his career and life takes him!

I've had the opportunity to see several of the Pre-Professional Program's productions and although I've been thoroughly impressed with what I see from a theatrical standpoint, the times I've observed Kevin interact with his cast members have been perhaps even more impressive. The mentorship and teaching he provides - both onstage and off - is exceptional. For that reason, BroadwayWorld.Com DC congratulates him on the nomination and can't wait to see what he and the cast members do next.

For additional explanations from six other Act Two @ Levine cast members on why they nominated Kevin Kuchar for the award, click here to see the videos they created on YouTube.

Photo: Kevin Kuchar; by Scott Selman