Detroit Native Adds Another Tony Award To Her Collection
- John Sloan III
- Jun 9
- 2 min read
Celia Keenan-Bolger awarded the 2025 Isabelle Stevenson Award for her "unwavering dedication to advocacy work through the arts."
Celia Keenan-Bolger is no stranger to the stage. The Detroit native and University of Michigan graduate cut her teeth on stages across Michigan including Mosaic Youth Theatre, Lathrup Youth Theatre Peanut Butter Players, Interlochen, and Detroit School of Arts.
Last night, at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, Keenan-Bolger added another award to her mantle as she accepted the 2025 Isabelle Stevenson Award. Her second Tony Award (with four additional nominations to her name), The Stevenson is an annal honor, presented to members of the theatre community each year in recognition for their humanitarian efforts.
A stunning actress with incredible vulnerability, Keenan-Bolger has seven Broadway credits to her name, including numerous regional theatre, film, and television roles -- most notably portraying "Mrs. Bruce" on the HBO drama
The Gilded Age.
“Celia’s star shines far beyond the Broadway stages, illuminating her peers, passions and purposes with generosity of spirit, integrity and compassion,” said Heather Hitchens, President & CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Jason Laks, President of the Broadway League. “She is truly an inspiration, and we are thrilled to honor her with the Isabelle Stevenson Award.”
In addition to her volunteerism (New York Civil Liberties Union, Broadway For Obama) she co-founded "Broadway Feeds Bellevue" a non-profit meal train service supporting nurses in NYC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with colleague and fellow University of Michigan Graduate Gavin Creel, Keenen-Bolger created The Activist Artist Endowed Scholarship Fund, proving scholarships and resources to students at the Umich Department of Musical Theatre dedicated to service and social justice.
Creel passed recently after a battle with cancer. Keenan-Bolger partnered with The American Theatre Wing to honor her close friend with the launch of the Gavin Creel Fellowship, an initiative meant to support five emerging actors each year as they begin their professional careers in New York.
Whether performing on stage, screen, or in life, Celia Keenan-Bolger has proven to be an inspirational figure for young artists across the country, and a proud beacon for the city of Detroit.
Watch Celia's interview with Broadway.com.
