ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, & Dance has a long tradition of producing Broadway stars, so it’s no surprise that U-M’s connection to this year’s first live broadcast is significant.

During the centenary year of SMTD’s Department of Theatre & Drama, the 2015 Tonys are particularly special. U-M alumni featured/nominated include:

• Darren Criss (BFA ’09, Theatre/Acting), currently starring on Broadway as Hedwig in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” will co-host the Tony Awards’ first-ever “Live from the Red Carpet.”
• Ashley Park (BFA ’13, Musical Theatre), currently starring on Broadway as Tuptim in “The King and I,” will perform during Sunday’s awards program. The show is nominated for nine Tonys, including “Best Revival of a Musical.”
• Richard Winkler (BA ’70, Speech), is one of the producers of both “Hand to God” (nominated for Best Play) and “Something Rotten” (nominated for Best Musical). He is a four-time Tony winner.
• Matthew Rego (BFA ’92, Musical Theatre), whose Tony Award-winning theater production company The Araca Group is one of the producers of “Skylight,” is nominated for “Best Revival of a Play.”

SMTD alumni have a long tradition of Tony wins, including James Earl Jones (acting), Jack O’Brien (directing), Margo Martindale (acting), Marian Mercer (acting) and Martin Pakledinaz (costume design), among many others.