A dozen luminous first-time New York stage performers, plus Nathan Lane, were honored at the 75th annual Theatre World Awards. Some spoke on the red carpet about when they first realized the could be — or at least wanted to be — professional performers.

Gbenga Akinnagbe talked about how tough it has been to play Tom Robinson, a black man beaten down by racists, in To Kill A Mockingbird, and the reaction to his essay in the Washington Post about that difficulty.

Gbenga Akinnagbe

Sophia Anne Caruso

Stephanie Styles

Micaela Diamond, in front of poster of her as Cher

James Davis

Colton Ryan

Bonnie Milligan

Jeremy Pope