Performance Acting alum receives two Tony Award nominations
Performance Acting alum and producer Thomas Swayne is nominated for two Tony Awards for his role as Producer of the broadway shows New York, New York and The Piano Lesson. Swayne graduated from the program in 2012 and worked for a number of theatrical groups and production companies in Toronto, London and New York City. Currently, he is a Senior Associate Producer for Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP) in New York. He previously associate produced The Ferryman and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child which both won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2019 and 2018 respectively.
Performance Acting alum and Tony nominee Thomas Swayne
Both New York, New York and The Piano Lesson bring together Broadway legends on stage for the two iconic shows. New York, New York contains music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb as well as additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Piano Lesson stars renowned actor Samuel L. Jackson.
Swayne says he was with his fiancée in New York when he received the news about his nominations, an experience that he describes as being a full circle moment.
“When I received the news, I immediately thought of my younger self, the thirteen-year-old Thomas watching the Tony Awards with his family thinking that this is a world that he’ll never get to,” he said. “But when it happened, it was such an emotional and full circle moment for me. I have a lot of gratitude to have had the opportunities, privilege and support to be where I am.”
Swayne is nominated for two Tony Awards for his role as Producer of the broadway shows New York, New York and The Piano Lesson
Swayne serves on the producing teams of numerous other productions including the Toronto Ed Mirvish Theatre Production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and is involved in the international expansion of the show. In addition to his work with SFP on New York, New York and The Piano Lesson, Swayne produces the Broadway musical Funny Girl, featuring Lea Michele and the upcoming production of Merrily We Roll Along starring Daniel Radcliffe.
From the Acting program to the production industry
Although Swayne doesn’t act anymore and has mostly held production roles, he says the Performance program taught him various relevant skills that have been transferable through his career.
“We had so many incredible teachers in the program and they really put in a lot to help us learn and grow,” he said. “I was able to learn what it really took to produce a story, how to read a script, how to work with actors and directors, all the various pieces of putting on a show, the stagecraft, the collaboration, the writing process, and how to basically, bring all those pieces together to create a final production.”
For students looking to break into the performance industry, Swayne says networking and putting yourself out there will get you far with opportunities.
“In the industry, identify who your mentors and heroes are, and then know about their work and reach out to them. Most of the success I've had is not because I'm the most talented person or the best producer,” he said. “It's honestly because I've been able to go to the people I respect and admire greatly and build that relationship beyond the initial meeting. Never be afraid to reach out to people because you never know where that conversation will take you.”
The Tony Awards will take place on Sunday, June 11, 2023. The full list of nominations can be found here (external link, opens in new window) .
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.