True Blood and Magic Mike star Joe Manganiello moved away from the screen and came to the stage during the 2015 Tonys. Joe Manganiello was at the 2015 Tonys to present the first-ever Excellence in Theatre Education Award. The awards show partnered with Carnegie Mellon University to honor theater educators in the U.S. who have made a big impact in the lives of their students. The inaugural award was given to teacher Corey Mitchell from the Northwest School of the Arts Charlotte, N.C. during the Sunday, June 7 ceremony on CBS.
Joe Manganiello, a Carnegie Mellon alumni, started his presentation by saying which teacher had inspired him. He then went to the audience to ask the Broadway stars which drama teacher they will never be able to thank enough for their encouragement and knowledge. Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster also went to Carnegie Mellon and thanked her high school drama teacher. Darren Criss, who is currently starring on Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, thanked Manganiello for teaching him a move or two in Magic Mike (who cares if he said Manganiello's name wrong on the red carpet?), but then sweetly thanked one of his own former teachers.
Manganiello then announced Mitchell as the recipient of the Excellence in Theatre Education Award. Although the moment was brief, it's great to see the Tonys taking the time out to honor the people who helped mentor and train the stars who are on the Broadway stage today.
