Date Set for Carbonell Awards

(Press Release) (South Florida – February 25, 2025) Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s Theatre & Arts Honors, today announced that the 48th annual awards ceremony will be held on Monday, November 17 at 7:30 pm at the University Theatre on the Boca Raton Campus of Florida Atlantic University. This will be the first time since 1997 that the annual Carbonell Awards ceremony has been held in Palm Beach County.

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Another Boca connection will be the launch of the new Jan McArt Award for significant achievement by a small theatre, named after the “First Lady of South Florida Theater” who helmed several local theaters including the popular Royal Palm Dinner Theatre in Mizner Park.
 
Hundreds of actors, musicians, performers, writers, directors, back-stage technicians, producers, reviewers, designers, specialty artists, and diehard theater fans are expected to attend this year’s Carbonell Awards, a glittery, entertainment-packed event that is South Florida’s version of Broadway’s Tony Awards®.
 
At this year’s Carbonell Ceremony awards will be presented in 20 competitive categories, along with up to eight Special Awards including the prestigious George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. Also, this year’s Jack Zink Memorial Scholarships will be presented to three talented high school graduates: one each in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties.
 
The talented and dynamic team that will be producing, writing, and directing this year’s Carbonell Awards Ceremony are:
 
** Producer/Director Andrew Kato is celebrating his 20th season at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre as the Producing Artistic Director/Chief Executive. During his tenure, he has produced over 95 productions and subscriptions have grown to over 7,000 patrons. Overall attendance has grown to nearly 100,000 guests annually, securing the Theatre to be one of the most successful regional theatres in the southeast. He was the Creative Consultant/Coordinating Producer on the Tony Awards® for 13 years, and his Broadway credits include Jelly’s Last Jam, Angels in America and the off-Broadway production of Cryptogram. In addition, he conceived and developed several musicals, including Switch!, Academy, 1001 Nights, Street Songs, Diva Diaries, Through the Looking Glass, and Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, which made its off-Broadway debut in September 2023. Under his leadership, the Maltz recently opened The Island Theatre, a more intimate venue, and launched a $5-million upgrade of its educational arm, the Goldner Conservatory.
 
** Caryl Fantel is an award-winning Music Director and Pianist, as well as an active Arts Advocate and Educator. She serves as Music Coordinator/Music Director for Florida Atlantic University’s new BFA in Musical Theatre program and continues to collaborate with theatre professionals on projects throughout South Florida, including the annual Carbonell Awards ceremony. Her other credits include performances at Carnegie Hall and Seattle’s acclaimed 5th Avenue Theatre, as well as many regional theatres around the country, including South Florida’s Maltz Jupiter Theatre and Zoetic Stage. She has accompanied performances for Andrea Bocelli and numerous Broadway performers including Liz Callaway and Beth Malone and has prepared vocal ensembles for performances with Hugh Jackman and at the TONY Awards. Caryl is a private audition coach, workshop presenter for the South Florida Theatre League and other groups and is a member of the Broward County Cultural Council. For more information, visit www.FantelMusic.com.
 
Carbonell Awards Timeline 2025
April          

• Announce three recipients of Jack Zink Memorial Scholarship

May           

• Solicit nominations for George Abbott Award 2025

June         

• Announce recipient of George Abbott Award 2025

July           

• Solicit nominations for seven Special Awards, including the new Jan McArt Award

August     

• Announce recipients of Special Awards 2025  

September

• Launch Judging Process for 2025-2026 Season
• Announce Carbonell Award finalists in 20 competitive categories
• Tickets go on sale for 48th annual Carbonell Awards Ceremony

October    

• Reception honoring Carbonell Award finalists and judges

November 17

• Carbonell Awards Ceremony & After Party at FAU-Boca Raton