FIU Theatre Professor Anthony “Tony” Galaska has been recognized with a 2025 Carbonell Award for Outstanding Lighting Design for his work on the critically acclaimed production Appropriate by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins at Gablestage. The Carbonell Awards—South Florida’s equivalent of the Tony Awards—honor excellence in professional theatre and are among the region’s most respected and competitive accolades. Galaska’s win highlights both his artistic vision and FIU’s growing influence in the performing arts community.
Known for his immersive and emotionally driven lighting work, Galaska’s design for Appropriate captured the attention of audiences and critics alike. His approach transformed lighting from a technical element into an active storytelling device, heightening tension, revealing layers of meaning, and guiding the audience through the narrative’s complex family dynamics. This award serves as a testament that his unconventional inspiration was not only skillfully mastered, but it made an impact on a deeper, significant level.
“Appropriate allowed me to use light not just as illumination, but as a force that uncovers history, exposes truth, and reveals the fractures within a family’s carefully maintained façade,” Galaska said. “I am humbled that this design resonated with others.”
Galaska’s achievement reflects his dedication to shaping compelling visual worlds on stage—an expertise he shares daily with FIU students. As Head of Design and Production in the Department of Theatre within FIU’s College of Communication, Architecture + the Arts, he leads efforts to expand hands-on learning, professional readiness, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Under his guidance, students gain direct experience with industry-standard tools, creative problem-solving, and the full production process.
His Carbonell recognition also serves as an homage to FIU Theatre’s growing presence in South Florida’s cultural landscape. Like Galaska, many faculty members are active professionals whose work extends well beyond the university, enriching both the classroom environment and the region’s vibrant arts ecosystem.
This milestone reinforces the impact of arts education at FIU—where faculty artistry, student engagement, and community partnerships continue to elevate the university’s role in shaping the next generation of theatre professionals.
