Parkland drama students give emotional performance at Tony Awards

Members of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School drama department took the stage at Sunday’s Tony Awards, just months after a school shooting left 17 of their classmates and teachers dead and more than a dozen others injured. 

The students performed “Seasons of Love” from the hit musical “Rent” onstage during Broadway’s biggest night. They received a standing ovation before and after their performance.{mosads}

The emotional performance moved viewers, many of whom took to Twitter to praise the students.

I can’t even imagine performing at @TheTonyAwards as a student (or ever) mind blowing. I had chills at the 1st note #TonyAwards #SeasonsOfLove pic.twitter.com/taEgADOo6R

— Kittie Fahey (@kittyscratches) June 10, 2018

Those opening bars started and I burst into tears @StonemanDouglas Drama Dept performing #SeasonsOfLove at #TonyAwards was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking.

— Colleen (@vivelabookworm) June 10, 2018

Nailed it!! #SeasonsOfLove by #MarjorieStonemanDouglasHighScoolDramaDept on @TheTonyAwards Reminding us…We are all measured in love! YES! ❤❤

— Sydney Lucas (@SydneyLucasNYC) June 10, 2018

The #Parkland drama kids from #marjorystonemandouglas High School singing #SeasonsOfLove at @TheTonyAwards embodies everything I love about the power of #theatre and the #Broadway community.

— Jamie Wax (@Mistahwax) June 10, 2018

What a beautiful moment! To all the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, we are still with you! ❤️ #SeasonsOfLove #TonyAwards

— Beatriz Camargo (@b_eatrizcamargo) June 10, 2018

Melody Herzfeld, the high school’s drama teacher, was also honored Sunday night. Herzfeld, who is credited with saving dozens of students’ lives by hiding them in a closet during the shooting, was given the 2018 Excellence in Theatre Education Award.

The annual prize is awarded by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University to teachers who have “demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession.”