Carver High School Earns 35 Nominations, Finalist Honors in 2026 Tommy Tune Awards

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Winners of the Tommy Tune Awards will be named May 8 during the ceremony at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Aldine ISD’s Carver High School Theatre Department is earning citywide recognition after receiving 35 nominations and two finalist honors in the prestigious Tommy Tune Awards, presented by Theatre Under The Stars.

The nominations celebrate Carver’s production of The Wiz, showcasing the extraordinary talent of its student performers, directors, and technical crew.

Top Honors Among Houston’s Best — Finalist Honors

Carver High School earned finalist recognition in two major categories:

• Outstanding Ensemble
• Outstanding Actor: Ka’Sean Francis (Lion, The Wiz)

These distinctions place Carver among the top high school theatre programs in the Houston area, highlighting the strength and impact of its performance.

A Sweep of Nominations Across Categories

In addition to finalist honors, Carver received 35 nominations spanning performance, technical theatre, and production excellence.

Tommy Tune First Round Nominations

• Outstanding Musical
• Technical Achievement
• Outstanding Choreography
• Outstanding Costume Designer
• Outstanding Director
• Outstanding Ensemble
• Outstanding Lighting Designer
• Outstanding Music Director
• Outstanding Projection Designer
• Outstanding Scenic Designer
• Outstanding Sound Designer
• Outstanding Stage Management
• Lead Actor Noms: Sannia Bell, Johnny Kelley, Isaac Smith, Ka’Sean Francis, David Gipson, and Cedric Miller
• Outstanding Actor Noms: Ka’Sean Francis, Johnny Kelley, and Sannia Bell
• Outstanding Dancer Noms: Kenneth Jordan, Johnny Kelly, Ka’Sean Francis, Sofia de León, and Isaac Smith
• Outstanding Singer Noms: Ka’Sean Francis, Matilde Mayorga Real, and Isaac Smith
• Supporting Actor Noms: Roma Velado, Matilde Mayorga Real, Amare Haywood &, and Na’Leeyah Tatum
• Honorable Mention Noms: Dakarai Smith and Sofia de León

This broad recognition underscores the collaborative nature of theatre and the contributions of students across every aspect of production.

Celebrating Creativity and Student Voice

The Tommy Tune Awards celebrate excellence in high school musical theatre across the Houston region, recognizing student achievement in performance and production while connecting young artists to the broader performing arts community.

Under the direction of Roshunda Jones-Koumba, Jabari Collins, and Jamar Hawkins, Carver’s theater program has built a long tradition of excellence. It consistently produces high-caliber performances and earns local, state, and national accolades. Their dedication to fostering young talent has helped establish Carver as a powerhouse in high school musical theater, inspiring students to pursue careers in the performing arts. The Carver HS theater began to compete in the Tommy Tune Awards program in 2008. To date, Carver has received over 190 nominations and 32 wins. 2026 marked Carver’s 10th time being named an Outstanding Musical finalist. Carver High School for Applied Technology, Engineering, and the Arts is a Choice School in Aldine ISD.

For Carver students, the recognition reflects months of preparation, creativity, and teamwork.

“Opportunities like the Tommy Tune Awards allow our students to see their talents recognized on some of the biggest stages in our city,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “We are proud of the way our Carver students represent Aldine ISD — with excellence, creativity, and a commitment to giving their very best.”

The 2026 Tommy Tune Awards ceremony will be held on May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston.

As the district celebrates this milestone, Carver High School continues to demonstrate the power of the arts to inspire, connect, and elevate student voices across Aldine ISD.