The nominations for the 2019 Tony Awards were announced April 30. Entering awards season with the most nominations is Hadestown, which earned a total of 14 nominations. Former Charlotte Northwest School of the Arts student Eva Noblezada was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Hadestown).
According to Broadway.com Eva Noblezada previously starred in Hadestown at the National Theatre in London. City AM called her “brilliant” and The Arts Desk said she is “blazingly good.” Last fall, she shot a lead role in the upcoming indie film, Yellow Rose. In 2017, Noblezada starred on Broadway in the title role of Cameron Mackintosh’s epic revival of Miss Saigon, receiving a Tony nomination at age 21. Variety called her Broadway debut performance “entrancing” and The Hollywood Reporter said “her vocals have an expressive range and sweetness that cuts through all that surrounds her. She’s a legitimate discovery.” She previously starred in the long-running London revival of Miss Saigon, for which she received the WhatsOnStage award for Best Actress in a Musical. She also played Eponine in the West End revival of the legendary musical, Les Misérables. Noblezada was a high school student at Northwest School of the Arts, Charlotte, NC, when she was discovered by casting director Tara Rubin at the 2013 Jimmy Awards in New York City. Rubin introduced her to Mackintosh and director Laurence Connor, who chose her to star for two years in their long-awaited hit 2014 West End revival of Miss Saigon.
Northwest School of the Arts is recognized internationally and is the only public arts magnet school serving Mecklenburg County students in grades 6 through 12. The school’s unique educational approach combines elements of creativity, art, and technical prowess with a strong academic foundation. The history and prestige that comes with Visual & Performing Arts means something different to everyone – that’s why our students have multiple ways to launch into a professional career down the path they choose in Band, Chorus, Costume Design, Dance, Musical Theatre, Orchestra, Piano, Theatre, Technical Theatre, and Visual Arts.