FSU alumna Christiani Pitts earns Tony nomination for leading role in ‘Two Strangers’

“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. The post FSU alumna Christiani Pitts earns Tony nomination for leading role in ‘Two Strangers’ appeared first on Florida State University News .

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