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Tony Cimino-

Tony Cimino-

Tony Cimino-

Johnson

Johnson

Johnson

TONY CIMINO-JOHNSON

TONY CIMINO-JOHNSON

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I am an award-winning leader in arts administration, nonprofit management, and theatre education with over two decades of experience transforming arts organizations into benchmarks of excellence and innovation. Known for my visionary leadership and dedication to equity, I’ve built programs that inspire creativity, foster community, and make the arts accessible to all.

My journey into theatre education began with a passion for empowering students through the arts. Over two decades, this passion transformed into a commitment to building nationally recognized programs that inspire creativity, foster community, and make the arts accessible to all. Each production, class, and interaction is an opportunity to create something extraordinary.

I’ve led programs like Rock Ridge Performing Arts, where students earned over $12.1 million in scholarships, gained more than 1,200 college credits, and participated in productions at prestigious events like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Let’s create something impactful together. Whether directing students to success, advocating for arts funding, or consulting to advance arts initiatives, I strive to exemplify the transformative power of accessible, inclusive, and innovative programming. Feel free to reach out, and let’s make a difference through the arts!

What you will find in me

What you will find in me

Leadership

Leadership

Leadership

Innovation

Innovation

Innovation

Inspiration

Inspiration

Inspiration

Excellence

Excellence

Excellence

Foundations of Excellence

Foundations of Excellence

My Education

My Education

My Education

2022

Masters of Fine Arts In Theatre Education

Mississipi University for Women

2017

Masters Certificate in Arts Administration

University of Connecticut

2009

Masters Degree in Drama Therapy

New York University

2007

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts

McDaniel College

2019

Leadership Training Certificate

Leadership Training Certification

Educational Theatre Association

2015

Certificate in School Violence and Bullying

University of La Verne

Awards

Awards

Awards

Personal & Professional Awards

Personal & Professional Awards

Personal & Professional Awards

Tony Awards Inspirational Theatre Teacher | Honorable Mention - 2024

Tony Awards Inspirational Theatre Teacher | Honorable Mention - 2024

Tony Awards Inspirational Theatre Teacher | Honorable Mention - 2024

Virginia Thespian Hall of Fame | 2024

Virginia Thespian Hall of Fame | 2024

Virginia Thespian Hall of Fame | 2024

Loudoun's 40 Under 40 | Class of 2023 - 2023

Loudoun's 40 Under 40 | Class of 2023 - 2023

Loudoun's 40 Under 40 | Class of 2023 - 2023

Virginia State House Procolomation | Delegate John Bell 2023

Virginia State House Procolomation | Delegate John Bell 2023

Virginia State House Procolomation | Delegate John Bell 2023

Teacher of the Year Finalist | Loudoun County Public Schools | 2021

Teacher of the Year Finalist | Loudoun County Public Schools | 2021

Teacher of the Year Finalist | Loudoun County Public Schools | 2021

Washington Post Outsanding Teacher of the Year Finalist | 2021

Washington Post Outsanding Teacher of the Year Finalist | 2021

Washington Post Outsanding Teacher of the Year Finalist | 2021

Teacher of the Year | Special Education Advisory Committee |2019

Teacher of the Year | Special Education Advisory Committee |2019

Teacher of the Year | Special Education Advisory Committee |2019

EdTA Volunteer of the Year Award | 2018

EdTA Volunteer of the Year Award | 2018

EdTA Volunteer of the Year Award | 2018

Virginia Theatre Teacher of the Year | Virginia Thespians - 2016

Virginia Theatre Teacher of the Year | Virginia Thespians - 2016

Virginia Theatre Teacher of the Year | Virginia Thespians - 2016

Inspirational Educator of the Year Award | Educational Theatre Association - 2016

Inspirational Educator of the Year Award | Educational Theatre Association - 2016

Inspirational Educator of the Year Award | Educational Theatre Association - 2016

Shenandoah Theatre Educator of the Year Finalist | 2015

Shenandoah Theatre Educator of the Year Finalist | 2015

Shenandoah Theatre Educator of the Year Finalist | 2015

Carroll County Teacher of the Year Finalist | 2012

Carroll County Teacher of the Year Finalist | 2012

Carroll County Teacher of the Year Finalist | 2012

Program Awards

Program Awards

International Mainstage Selections | Rent: School Edition - 2024

International Mainstage Selections | Rent: School Edition - 2024

International Mainstage Selections | Rent: School Edition - 2024

Pilot School MTI | National Premiere of "Prince of Egypt" - 2024

Pilot School MTI | National Premiere of "Prince of Egypt" - 2024

Pilot School MTI | National Premiere of "Prince of Egypt" - 2024

Virginia High School League State Champions | The Trench - 2023

Virginia High School League State Champions | The Trench - 2023

Virginia High School League State Champions | The Trench - 2023

Blue Ridge Cappies Best Musical | Big Fish - 2023

Blue Ridge Cappies Best Musical | Big Fish - 2023

Blue Ridge Cappies Best Musical | Big Fish - 2023

International Thespian Festival Mainstage Selection | Bright Star - 2019

International Thespian Festival Mainstage Selection | Bright Star - 2019

International Thespian Festival Mainstage Selection | Bright Star - 2019

Pilot School Theatrical Rights Worldwide | "Bright Star: School Edition" - 2019

Pilot School Theatrical Rights Worldwide | "Bright Star: School Edition" - 2019

Pilot School Theatrical Rights Worldwide | "Bright Star: School Edition" - 2019

Virginia Thespian Festival State Champions:

Virginia Thespian Festival State Champions:

Virginia Thespian Festival State Champions:

The Trench - 2023

Aida - 2017

The Very Grey Matter of Edward Blank - 2016

Ernest and the Pale Moon - 2015

South Eastern Theatre Conference | Grand Champions 2016

South Eastern Theatre Conference | Grand Champions 2016

South Eastern Theatre Conference | Grand Champions 2016

Maryland Thespian Festival State Champions:

Maryland Thespian Festival State Champions:

Maryland Thespian Festival State Champions:

The Trench - 2014

And - 2013

War Letters - 2012

Community Impact

Community Impact

Premier Community for Theatre Education | Educational Theatre Association - 2023

Premier Community for Theatre Education | Educational Theatre Association - 2023

Premier Community for Theatre Education | Educational Theatre Association - 2023

Edinburgh Fringe Festival Performances:

Edinburgh Fringe Festival Performances:

Edinburgh Fringe Festival Performances:

Anonymous - 2022

26 Pebbles - 2019

Best of Loudoun Performing Arts Groups | 2019

Best of Loudoun Performing Arts Groups | 2019

Best of Loudoun Performing Arts Groups | 2019

Outstanding School Award | Educational Theatre Association | 2017

Outstanding School Award | Educational Theatre Association | 2017

Outstanding School Award | Educational Theatre Association | 2017

Outstanding School Award | Educational Theatre Association | 2013

Outstanding School Award | Educational Theatre Association | 2013

Outstanding School Award | Educational Theatre Association | 2013

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Director's Competition | Runner-up - 2010

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Director's Competition | Runner-up - 2010

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Director's Competition | Runner-up - 2010

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Fringe Festival Performance | Zoo Story - 2010

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Fringe Festival Performance | Zoo Story - 2010

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Fringe Festival Performance | Zoo Story - 2010

Grants & Funding Achievements

Grants & Funding Achievements

Grants & Funding Achievements

Educational Theatre Foundation Pathways Grant Recipient | 2024

Educational Theatre Foundation Pathways Grant Recipient | 2024

Educational Theatre Foundation Pathways Grant Recipient | 2024

Wolf Trap Grant Recipient | Rent: School Edition | 2024

Wolf Trap Grant Recipient | Rent: School Edition | 2024

Wolf Trap Grant Recipient | Rent: School Edition | 2024

50 States of Frozen Grant Recipient | State Premiere of "Frozen" | 2023

50 States of Frozen Grant Recipient | State Premiere of "Frozen" | 2023

50 States of Frozen Grant Recipient | State Premiere of "Frozen" | 2023

Dominion Energy Grant Recipient | 2023

Dominion Energy Grant Recipient | 2023

Dominion Energy Grant Recipient | 2023

Jack Kent Cook Foundation Grant | 2020

Jack Kent Cook Foundation Grant | 2020

Jack Kent Cook Foundation Grant | 2020

Wolf Trap Grant Recipient | Bright Star: School Edition | 2019

Wolf Trap Grant Recipient | Bright Star: School Edition | 2019

Wolf Trap Grant Recipient | Bright Star: School Edition | 2019

Jack Kent Cook Foundation Grant | 2018

Jack Kent Cook Foundation Grant | 2018

Jack Kent Cook Foundation Grant | 2018

Kohl's Cares Grant | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019

Kohl's Cares Grant | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019

Kohl's Cares Grant | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019

Carroll County Arts Council Grant | 2011, 2012, 2013

Carroll County Arts Council Grant | 2011, 2012, 2013

Carroll County Arts Council Grant | 2011, 2012, 2013

Wal-Mart Grant | 2012

Wal-Mart Grant | 2012

Wal-Mart Grant | 2012