LEVITTOWN, NY — Lisa Levenberg can’t imagine doing anything else. She told district officials as much this week, reflecting on a 30-year career that has seen her directing fall musicals at MacArthur High, spring musicals at Division Avenue, and teaching choir classes in both buildings.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Levenberg said. “To see where students start their journey, fueled by a spark and passion to perform that pushes them to become fantastic performers — it’s so rewarding.”
While Levenberg said the job itself is rewarding, she received an extra reward this week: A Roger Rees Award for excellence in innovative theater arts education, at the 16th edition of the awards show.
In an April 24 announcement ceremony, Jake Schauder and Cassidy Baltazar, a pair of former students of Levenberg’s, gave her the good news as applause rang out from students and faculty. The award, district officials said, is in recognition of her leadership, shining a light on how theater and music teachers contribute not only to their schools, but the communities in which they teach and the musical theater industry as a whole. It’s conferred by the Broadway Education Alliance, which teamed up with the Rees awards in 2025 to create the new honor.
“Lisa is truly one of a kind — an extraordinary blend of problem solver, dedicated teacher and creative force,” award cofounder and spokesperson Jim Hoare said. “She consistently delivers exceptional results on stage while motivating her students to grow into their best selves both in and beyond the spotlight.”
Hoare is also the vice president of education and community initiatives at Theatrical Rights Worldwide, an organization that connects playwrights and artists to amateur theater organizations and schools to license their work for performance.
As for Levenberg, she’s just the second educator to win the award. She’ll receive it at the 16th annual Roger Rees Awards talent showcase, taking place at Symphony Space May 17.
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