BOCA RATON, Fla. - s4story -- (South Florida – August 25, 2026) Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida's Theater & Arts Honors, today announced the recipient of the seventh 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 Bill Hindman Award 2026

For Onstage Career Achievement by Performing Artists Based in South Florida

Elena Maria Garcia

Associate Professor of Theatre at Barry University Elena Maria Garcia is, according to director Stuart Meltzer, "one of South Florida's most treasured theatre artists (as well as) one of the most funny and versatile actors here… Her gift is creating characters that speak to generations of audience members through thoughtful and exploratory physical work, tapping into emotional depths that explode with humanity and purpose. Her plays have been hailed as theatrical marvels combatting very serious subjects through humor! Her presence at theaters like City Theatre, Zoetic Stage, Palm Beach Dramaworks and Actors' Playhouse have made her a staple in theatrical programming."

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An actor, director, playwright, and educator, Elena Maria Garcia's works include her one-person shows, Do You Speak Mexican?, Cuban Soups When There's No More Café, and Fuacata! or A Latina's Guide to Surviving the Universe, among other plays. Not only has she collaborated with solo artists assisting in creating, writing and/or directing, she is one of the founders of the first all-female improv troupe, Big Purse and Matching Shoes. Garcia also created the improv troupe Separate Checks.  During this time, she began working in front of the camera appearing in several national commercials and films. A member of Screen Actors Guild and Actors' Equity Association, Garcia is a four-time recipient of the Carbonell Award and the Silver Palm Award.

Previously Announced Carbonell Special Awards 2026

+ The George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts

Stuart Meltzer, Founding Artistic Director of Zoetic Stage.

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+ 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

Still to be Announced

+ The Howard Kleinberg Award – September 1

+ The Bill von Maurer Award – September 8

+ 120 Carbonell Award Finalists in 20 Categories – September 15