BOCA RATON, Fla. - eTradeWire -- (South Florida – September 1, 2026) Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida's Theater & Arts Honors, today announced the recipient of the eighth of nine Special Awards that will be presented at the 49^th annual Carbonell Awards Ceremony on Monday, November 16, at 7:30 pm at FAU's University Theatre in Boca Raton 33431.

"While we will be honoring specific people and productions in 20 competitive categories from approximately 100 shows presented between September 2025 and August 2026, the Carbonell board of directors has unanimously voted to also bestow this Special Award," said Schweikhart.

The Howard Kleinberg Award 2026

For Outstanding Contribution to the Health and Development of the Arts in South Florida

Theatre Educators Inspiring the Next Generation

Gary Cadwallader, Palm Beach Dramaworks

Jairo Ontiveros, Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

Lori Slade Sessions, South Florida Cappies

+ Gary Cadwallader is Director of Education and Community Engagement at Palm Beach Dramaworks, where he uses drama as a spark for meaningful conversations about complex social issues. His One Humanity Tour brings three powerful plays about teen human trafficking, opioid abuse, and conflicts between law enforcement and communities directly to schools, reaching more than 40,000 students so far. Additional programs include the PBD Young Playwrights 10-Minute and 1-minute Play Contest; The 'Lit' Theatre Project ethics program; Dramawise education for adults; TheAcademy@pbd, which builds skills in a safe, encouraging, professionally aligned, rigorous environment; The Legacy Project, an intergenerational LGBTQ+ digital storytelling program; and skills-building workshops for educators.

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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 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

+ The Vinnette Carroll Award for Advancing Diversity & Inclusion

Our Fund Foundation

+ The Charlie Cinnamon Award

Michelle F. Solomon

+ The Ruth Foreman Award

Margaret M. Ledford

+ The Bill Hindman Award

Elena Maria Garcia

Still to be Announced

+ The Bill von Maurer Award – September 8

+ 120 Carbonell Award Finalists in 20 Categories – September 15