Madeline Michel never imagined herself giving an acceptance speech in front of a crowd of theater professionals at Radio City Music Hall. As an English teacher, she considers herself "still learning" about the dramatic/performing arts. But in June 2019, she took the stage as the fifth winner of the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, presented by Carnegie Mellon University and the Tony Awards. Michel, who oversees the drama program at Monticello High School in Charlottesville, Va., said the experience has changed her life.
"I think this affects more than me and my school," she said. "It brings attention to our school and, as a result, people in the community learn more about what you do and learn about our students. That's what's important."
Michel never thought she would win the honor, even though she played a role in the submission process. A fellow teacher suggested she put her name in the running, so Michel worked with some of her students and their parents to complete the process. She had no idea she would receive a call from the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League naming her the judges' choice.
"When they called, my principal [Rick Vrhovac] put on the speaker phone, and I thought I was being pranked," she said. "But I realized he wouldn't do that, and I was stunned into silence."
Suddenly, she was news. Papers, TV and radio stations in the Charlottesville area reached out to her. It was, she said, a positive feeling for her, the school and the community after social unrest created news of a different kind during the prior fall's riot situation, in which several of her students were involved and harmed.
Soon, she and her husband, Jon, were heading to New York for the Tony Awards. She recalled that the entire weekend was made special "by the people I met and who thanked me for being a teacher." She especially was thankful for her escort from The Broadway League, Claudia Velez, and actors like Laura Linney, "who was absolutely lovely."