Florida State University alumna Christiani Pitts has earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance in Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). 

Nominations for the 79th Annual Tony Awards were announced Tuesday. Winners will be announced June 7 at Radio City Music Hall during a ceremony broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. 

The nomination drew praise from faculty in Florida State University’s School of Theatre, where Pitts developed the foundation for a career that has taken her from campus productions to leading roles on Broadway.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate alumna Christiani Pitts’ Tony nomination,” said Brad Brock, director of the School of Theatre. “As a student, she was a force in our program — leading with heart, a fierce work ethic and a collaborative spirit. None of us are surprised to see her carrying that same generosity, passion and commitment to the craft to Broadway.” 

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate alumna Christiani Pitts’ Tony nomination. As a student, she was a force in our program — leading with heart, a fierce work ethic and a collaborative spirit. None of us are surprised to see her carrying that same generosity, passion and commitment to the craft to Broadway.

— Brad Brock, director of the School of Theatre

The evening before learning of her nomination, Pitts was in New York supporting the next generation of Florida State performers at the university’s Senior Showcase.

Held at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre, the annual event gives graduating music theatre students from the College of Music and School of Theatre the opportunity to perform for agents, casting directors and other industry professionals. For Pitts, who once stood in their place, the evening underscored the connection between FSU’s training programs and the professional stage. 

Pitts, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre from the FSU School of Theatre in 2015, is among nominees that include Sara Chase (Schmigadoon!), Stephanie Hsu (The Rocky Horror Show), Caissie Levy (Ragtime) and Marla Mindelle (Titanique). 

Her nomination marks a significant milestone in a career spanning stage, television and film. Pitts made her Broadway debut in A Bronx Tale: The Musical, later stepping into a leading role in the production, before starring as Ann Darrow in Broadway’s King Kong. Prior to her Broadway success, she built her foundation at FSU, appearing in productions including Cabaret (Fraulein Sally Bowles), Company (Marta) and Ragtime. 

“What continues to inspire us most,” Brock said, “is not only her talent, but the environment she cultivates around her — one grounded in collaboration, integrity and a sincere dedication to uplifting the communities she engages with. Christiani exemplifies the highest ideals of an FSU Theatre graduate. We are delighted to see her receiving the recognition she has long earned and eager to watch the impact she will continue to make across the industry.” 

In addition to her stage work, Pitts has appeared in television series including Power Book III: Raising Kanan, The Good Fight and Blue Bloods. She also starred in the Netflix film Resort to Love, produced by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Alicia Keys. 

Pitts is the daughter of Byron Pitts, anchor of ABC’s Nightline, and began her theatre career in Atlanta and New Jersey before moving to New York City after graduating from FSU. 

Her nomination adds to a distinguished legacy of FSU alumni recognized on Broadway. Notable music theatre graduates include Montego Glover (‘96), a Tony nominee for Memphis, and producer Darren Bagert (‘92), a five-time Tony Award winner whose career has spanned more than three decades. 

Pitts’ nomination highlights both her emergence as a major talent on the stage and Florida State University’s longstanding success in preparing artists for careers across Broadway, television and film.

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A Florida State University graduate student has been selected for a competitive arts fellowship that will support the development of a project that maps archival photos, poetry and oral histories onto neighborhoods, highlighting their historical impacts.

Christell Victoria Roach, a creative writing doctoral student in the Department of English, has been named a fellow of YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists. The fellowship includes a $30,000 grant that will allow Roach to further develop her project, an augmented-reality application called OTOWN, and streamline its software.

“By merging digital humanities with community-based research, this project reimagines historical neighborhoods as interactive digital museums,” Roach said. “This project transforms specific locations into exhibits through the app’s lens. I come from a community with a rich history, and I wanted to create a space for that community to tell its own story.”

“This project transforms specific locations into exhibits through the app’s lens. I come from a community with a rich history, and I wanted to create a space for that community to tell its own story.”

— Christell Victoria Roach, creative writing doctoral student

Each year, thousands of artists from across the U.S. apply for YoungArts’ competitive grants, scholarships and fellowships, which have supported scholars through mentorship and funding since 1981. In addition to the monetary grant, fellows also have access to studio space and public presentation opportunities. This award comes just over a decade after Roach earned a YoungArts writing award, and she is the only literary arts specialist in this year’s cohort of five YoungArts fellows.

“Earning a YoungArts fellowship is a significant accomplishment that highlights the strength of Christell’s voice and the impact of her literary work,” said Keith McCall, assistant director of the FSU Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards. “It’s an honor to have a YoungArts fellow at FSU and a reflection of the exceptional talent within the creative writing program.”

OTOWN was inspired by Roach’s hometown of Overtown, a Miami neighborhood that was once considered the “Harlem of the South,” where African American celebrities, athletes and activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Sam Cooke performed, spoke and competed.

“Since they weren’t permitted to sleep in the hotels they performed in on South Beach, as it was during a segregated period, they went ‘over to the town’ to be celebrated and to rest,” Roach said. “In OTOWN, I take on the role of curator and narrator to create space for these stories that started long before me.”

Through the app, users move through the Overtown neighborhood, encountering location-specific stories: They’ll hear a poem on one corner, see a historic photograph on another, and listen to oral histories connected to the ground beneath their feet. While the project initially centered around Overtown, Roach has invented a model that can be used to preserve community histories in neighborhoods across the globe.

“I’m perfecting this work to present a replicable model for engagement with personal and shared histories,” Roach said. “Through collaboration with undergraduate research assistants, the project has already expanded to other historic towns in Florida, including Tallahassee, with an exhibit near FAMU’s campus titled, ‘South of Monroe.’”

Before coming to FSU in 2024, Roach earned multiple awards for her writing. In 2022, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work in collaboration with South Florida’s WLRN Public Media on the duet poem “The Breaths of Our Skin,” where Roach imagines and performs a poetic conversation between writers Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes.

“Christell’s writing invites us to think seriously about homeland, legacy, record-keeping and truth,” said Christopher Okonkwo, one of Roach’s doctoral advisers and an professor in the FSU Department of English. “The questions she contemplates in her work transcend academia. They touch and connect us all while allowing us to rediscover our own history.”

Roach has been published widely, with recent work featured by organizations and in literary publications such as Poetry Magazine, the Academy of American Poets, The Atlantic and Obsidian: Literature and Arts in the African Diaspora.

“I’m doing the work I want people to learn about, and I’m creating a model that shows people how to engage their history,” Roach said. “I hope this work inspires others, and I hope foregrounding love, community, creativity and connection when engaging history creates a way of witness and testimony we once thought lost to time.”

To learn more about writing and research through the FSU Department of English, visit english.fsu.edu.

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A Florida State University student is one of 16 talented undergraduate artists from across the nation selected for NASA’s Psyche Inspired program.  

Julia Stephens, a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art and a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing, has produced a series of artworks relating to a current NASA mission as part of this prestigious internship.

Established in 2017, Psyche Inspired is a program that brings undergraduate students from any discipline or major together to share the excitement and innovation of NASA’s mission to visit, map and collect data on Psyche, a metal-rich asteroid roughly the same size as the state of Florida. Stephens and her fellow interns use their artistic skills to showcase scientific and engineering content with the public in creative new ways.

According to the agency’s mission overview, exploring the asteroid could help provide valuable information about the history of our solar system and even Earth’s own core. A van-sized probe launched as part of the mission in 2023 is currently en route to enter Psyche’s orbit in August 2029.

Stephens brings a lifelong interest in space and passion for science to her work as an artist and writer. As a Psyche Inspired intern, she is helping NASA tell the mission’s story and communicate complex ideas to the public.

 “I think connecting this research into artistic practices is very important, and it’s something that I want to keep doing within my personal art practice,” she said. “Being a part of something greater than myself — making art with other people that contributes to a greater whole — is one of the best parts of Psyche.”

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Florida State University’s Art in STEM event returns for its 12th annual exhibition showcasing the artwork of FSU students conducting research in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines.

The FSU community is invited to enjoy an opening reception from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, at the Dirac Science Library, and vote in person or online for their favorite piece. The people’s choice award winner will be announced the following day.

This year’s edition of the annual exhibition, which can be viewed at the Dirac Library and accessed online in a digital gallery, is a collaboration among FSU’s Graduate Women in STEM (GWIS) organization, Art in the Library, and the FSU College of Arts and Sciences. It features 30 artworks created by students representing environmental science, geology, microscopic biology, neuroscience, physical chemistry, astrophysics, ecology, chemical engineering and more.

“The Art in STEM exhibition shows another side of students whose interests or majors are in STEM fields,” said Kaylie Green, 2025-2026 GWIS president and third-year biomathematics doctoral student. “We want viewers to connect with STEM topics through the artwork they see.”

Artists drew inspiration for their creations from their work in the field, lab and classroom, using microscopes, cameras, watercolor and acrylic paints, screen printing and more to capture the artistic side of science and bring their research to life.

“This event demonstrates that art can be found everywhere — even in cells viewed under a microscope,” Green said.

“This event demonstrates that art can be found everywhere — even in cells viewed under a microscope.”

— Kaylie Green, 2025-2026 GWIS president and third-year biomathematics doctoral student

Jennifer Scheckowitz, an undergraduate majoring in physical science in the Department of Physics, is among this year’s featured artists. Her piece, “Heart in Malachite,” highlights the hidden beauty of geological microscopy — analyzing rock, mineral and soil samples to understand geological processes, environmental history and fluid interactions.

Using the depth composition feature on a Keyence VHX-7000 digital microscope, Scheckowitz captured multiple photos of the malachite crystal at different focal points and stitched the images together to produce one cohesive photograph, highlighting the shape of a heart appearing in the light-green stone.

“When I first got the opportunity to explore different forms of microscopy, I was immediately captivated by how rocks and minerals looked under a microscope,” said Scheckowitz, who also participated in the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. “I spent a lot of time taking pictures of the microscopic surfaces of many different geological specimens, but the malachite was by far the most interesting to me.”

Scheckowitz’s research was conducted through the Microscopic BioArt research project under the Nanobio Materials and Robotics group led by Jamel Ali, associate professor of chemical and biomedical engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, and based at the FSU-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.

Beyond its artistic appeal, geological microscopy is an effective and valuable learning tool for students and amateur geologists, preparing Scheckowitz for future research in physical science and chemical engineering. Her additional artworks in the exhibit, “Biotite Schist under UV Light” and “Sodalite Crystal,” showcase the range and beauty of photomicroscopy.

“While many geological subjects may look identical to the naked eye, employing a microscope reveals fascinating new structures and hidden differences between them,” Scheckowitz said. “It highlights structural features that often go unnoticed, revealing a whole new world just on the surface of a rock.”

Art in STEM encourages the FSU community to engage with various scientific topics, providing an aesthetic entry point for viewers to learn about the innovative research conducted by undergraduate and graduate students across programs.

“This exhibition seamlessly connects art and science,” Scheckowitz said. “I believe that art fosters innovation — the two are intertwined. Artistic experimentation mirrors scientific development, and it’s important to highlight the similarities between the two.”

For more information or to view the 2026 Art in STEM digital exhibition, visit  artinstem.create.fsu.edu. The exhibition will remain in the Dirac Science Library through the summer.

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The Florida State University School of Dance will present its annual “Days of Dance” performances this month, featuring two distinct programs, each with a collection of works choreographed and performed by students and faculty.   

For more than 50 years, “Days of Dance” has been a hallmark of the season for FSU Dance, offering the Tallahassee community an opportunity to experience the breadth and caliber of work being created and performed in the studios and on the stages of Montgomery Hall.  

“We are incredibly excited to share our 2026 Days of Dance performances,” said Helanius J. Wilkins, Chair of the School of Dance. “The incredible range of the programming, including Tap, Ballet, African-Diasporic and Contemporary works, showcases the multitude of voices and perspectives that make up our School of Dance. There’s something for everyone who loves dance, so please come join us, and enjoy both programs if you’re able.”      

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The Florida State University Department of Art will host an opening reception for its annual Bachelor of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition on April 17, celebrating the work of graduating students in the BFA Studio Art Program.

The collaborative exhibition, entitled “A New Paradigm,” features artwork by eight graduating BFA students: Alex Davidoff, Addison Ellis, Audrey Femia, Audrey Lendvay, Antonia Pretelt, Joanna Godfrey, Leah Linkogle and Mari Mitchell.

Each student’s artistic practice uses a variety of media, including ceramics, digital fabrication, drawing, installation, painting, papermaking, photography, printmaking and sculpture. The exhibition considers the shifting societal frameworks the students see within the present day. The title describes the culmination of their journey at FSU as they embark on their careers.

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The Florida State University School of Theatre presents “The Play That Goes Wrong,” a comedy by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, opening Friday at The Richard G. Fallon Theatre.

The show follows a troupe of actors who prove that even when their play unravels into a theatrical symphony of disasters, the show must go on.

“The School of Theatre ends the season with a bang … or in this case, perhaps a well-timed thud … as ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ leans wholeheartedly into its delightfully chaotic spirit,” says Brad Brock, director of the School of Theatre. “The show’s charm is undeniable. Everything just clicks — the writing is sharp, the set ‘mishaps’ are a puzzle the audience gets to enjoy and the cast brings such energy that you can’t help but get swept up in it. We want people to laugh so hard they leave with happy tears.”

The cast features FSU students Jacob Ost (Chris), Gabriel Martinez (Jonathan), Onyekachi Anyagaligbo (Roberta), Camryn Overstreet (Denise), Amanda Holton (Sandra), Adam Fuller (Max), Mckenna Brooke Noel (Annie) and Steffen Lawrence Robinson (Trevor).

The production is directed by Joz Vammer, with scenic design by Sophie Smrcka, lighting design by Naiomy Pérez Del Valle, sound design by Alroy Harry and costume design by Makenzie Vaughan.

Performances will run Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 19, at the Richard G. Fallon Theatre.

Tickets are available at tickets.theatre.fsu.edu. For more information on the FSU School of Theatre’s 2026-2027 season and academic programs, visit theatre.fsu.edu.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service under license from Mischief Worldwide Ltd.

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The life’s work of one of America’s most decorated composers and a cornerstone of the Florida State University College of Music has found a permanent home in the nation’s capital. 

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Music in 1983, Marie Krafft Distinguished Professor of Composition and two-time FSU Alumnus, has donated her comprehensive personal archive to the Library of Congress. 

The collection was recently named one of the top five music acquisitions of 2025 by the Library’s Music Division, placing Zwilich’s legacy alongside titans of American music such as Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Stephen Sondheim. 

“The inclusion of Professor Zwilich’s archives in the Library of Congress is a magnificent tribute to a lifetime of musical innovation and excellence,” said Todd Queen, dean of the College of Music. “As both a legendary alumna and a devoted faculty member, her legacy continues to be a guiding light for the next generation of composers here at Florida State.” 

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The Florida State University Department of Art and Museum of Fine Arts will open an exhibition this April showcasing the work of the department’s ten graduating MFA studio art students. “Decentered Reframed” offers a collection of contemporary artworks spanning installation, sculpture, print, video and performance projects.

The exhibition represents the professional debut of these artists following their time in the Department of Art’s MFA in studio art. As an intensive three-year program, it is designed to offer the students the discipline, training and artistic understanding required for life as a practicing artist and professional.

“In my 13 years at FSU, I have witnessed the evolution of our Studio Art MFA program and its students’ culminating exhibitions,” said Rob Duarte, associate professor and director of the graduate program. “The work in this year’s show represents some of the most thoughtful, considered and engaging artwork that has been produced through our program. The artists have worked extraordinarily hard to arrive at this point, and I can’t wait to share in this final celebration of their efforts as MFA candidates.”

The show highlights the growth and development of these featured artists throughout the three-year MFA program. In this collaborative exhibition, Alexia Benavent-Rivera, Ysabel Flores, Hannah Glaser, Moey Hewitt, Kea Kamiya, Amarachi Odimba, Keilicia Parker, Kyle Smith, J Woltz and Jay Yue each examine the power structures that shape our culture, environment and relationships.

The exhibit will run from April 10 through May 2, with an opening reception April 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The artists also invite the public to a meet-and-greet followed by a series of artist talks from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Museum of Fine Arts. Additionally, there will be artist-led workshops available to the public.

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The Florida State University School of Dance will launch a one-of-a-kind certificate program this fall, providing formal training for musicians interested in working in the dance field.

Created in partnership with the College of Music, the new Dance Accompanying Certificate is designed to develop the skills, experience and musical adaptability needed to work alongside performers and choreographers in academic institutions, conservatories and professional studios.

“This certificate offers students a rare hands-on opportunity to develop both the musical and collaborative skills needed to work with dancers,” said Daniel Smith, School of Dance assistant professor and director of the certificate program. “Dance accompanying is a sophisticated musical practice that requires creativity, artistic awareness and a deep sensitivity to movement.”

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Students at Florida State University fused human creativity with modern technology during a recent 24-hour Create-a-thon. The design sprint, hosted by FSU’s Innovation Hub, challenged participants to celebrate Tallahassee’s community spirit by building interactive experiences that cultivate a lasting sense of belonging and connection.

The event served as a feature of the 2026 Festival of the Creative Arts (FCA), an initiative led by the FSU Office of Research that highlights the voices and talents of students and faculty across the university.

“Events like this Create-a-thon provide our students with a space where creativity is the primary driver of discovery,” said Ken Baldauf, founding director of the Innovation Hub. “When we bring together dancers, engineers, musicians, writers and scientists, we aren’t just making art, we are developing a universal language for problem solving that leverages the latest technologies.”

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