Today the nominations were announced for the 83rd Academy Awards, and a Cleveland Play House children’s theatre alum is a favorite to win at least one Oscar in February — Lee Unkrich. His movie, Toy Story 3, received five nominations including Best Picture, Best Animated Feature and Best Adapted Screenplay.
A Chagrin Falls native, Unkrich participated in children’s educational programs here at Cleveland Play House. Starting at age 11, he joined our Youththeatre program and spent four years here performing in children’s shows and musicals.
We talked to Lee last summer, when Toy Story 3 was released. It has since become the highest-grossing animated film of all time.
“My time studying theater and performing in plays with the Cleveland Play House Youththeatre was a highlight of my childhood. It not only ignited my passion for entertaining audiences, but it also taught me to respect the craft of acting. It was an important early foundation for the work I’ve done creating stories and directing films at Pixar Animation Studios.”
