08/18/2026
The Carbonell Awards today announced the sixth of nine Special Awards that will be presented at the 49th annual Carbonell Awards Ceremony on Monday, November 16, at 7:30 pm at FAU’s University Theatre in Boca Raton 33431.
THE RUTH FOREMAN AWARD for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of South Florida Theatre
Margaret M. Ledford
The Artistic Director of City Theatre in Miami, Margaret M. Ledford hails from Chattanooga where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Speech from the University of Tennessee. She has directed plays, musicals, and readings in the South Florida region and beyond, including Promethean Theatre (resident director for eight years), Palm Beach Dramaworks, GableStage, Florida Reparatory Theatre, Barter Theatre (Virginia), Naked Stage, New Theatre, Delray Beach Arts Garage, Mosaic Theatre, Caldwell Theatre Company, Florida Stage, Island City Stage, Thinking Cap Theatre, United Solo Festival (NYC), and of course, City Theatre. An eight-time Carbonell Award nominee for Best Director and a multiple Silver Palm winner for Direction, Ledford served six years on the South Florida Theatre League Board of Directors, two years as President. She was a National Reviewer for the National YoungArts Foundation in theatre and musical theatre, is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, and a co-founder and Creator at Mangrove Creative Collective.
In nominating Ledford, Music Director Caryl Ginsburg Fantel declared, “Under Margaret’s artistic leadership, City Theatre, now in its 30th season presenting the Summer Shorts Summer Play Festival, has expanded its longstanding commitment to developing new voices by creating meaningful pathways for playwrights and theater makers from historically marginalized communities. Through initiatives such as HOMEGROWN, the company has actively identified, mentored, and elevated emerging Miami playwrights whose perspectives have too often been absent from American stages… Her impact is measured not only by the productions she has directed or produced, but by the careers she has launched, the voices she has elevated, and the culture of belonging she has cultivated throughout our theatre community.”
Previously Announced Carbonell Special Awards 2026
+ The George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts: Stuart Meltzer, Founding Artistic Director of Zoetic Stage
+ The Vinnette Carroll Award for Advancing Diversity, Equality & Inclusion in South Florida Theatre: Our Fund Foundation
+ The Charlie Cinnamon Award for Outstanding Support of South Florida Theatre & the Carbonell Awards: Michelle Solomon
+ The Christine Dolen Award for Outstanding Debut: Ali Tallman, Director of ‘The 39 Steps’ for New City Players
+ The Jan McArt Award for Outstanding Small Theatre: Brévo Theatre
This season’s Carbonell Awards will be presented on November 16 at a glittery ceremony that is South Florida’s version of Broadway’s Tony Awards. Hundreds of actors, musicians, performers, writers, directors, back-stage technicians, producers, critics, designers, specialty artists, and diehard theater fans are expected to attend. The event is being produced and directed by Andrew Kato, Producing Artistic Director/Chief Executive of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, with the award-winning Caryl Ginsburg Fantel serving as Music Director and Eloisa Mercedes Ferrer as Coordinating Producer. Tickets for the ceremony and after party are only $45 and will go on public sale in mid-October.
Sponsors of the 49th Annual Carbonell Awards ceremony and after party include the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts; Aventura Arts & Cultural Center; BroadwayWorld; Broward Center for the Performing Arts; Broward County Cultural Division; Cultural Council for Palm Beach County; Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival presented by MorseLife; FAU Department of Theatre & Dance; Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; Legends Radio; Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel - Florida Injury Lawyers; Miami Dade County Auditorium; The Moss Center; OutClique Magazine; South Florida Cultural Consortium; South Florida Theatre League; Mark Traverso & Conor Walton; Donald R. Walters PA; and The Wick Theatre & Museum Club.
