The honor is the only industry accolade of its kind and honors the talents and contributions made by the original chorus members of a Broadway musical.

The winners, all of whom were part of the Newsies chorus on the musical’s March 29, 2012, opening night, are Aaron Albano, Mark Aldrich, Tommy Bracco, John E. Brady, Ryan Breslin, Kevin Carolan, Caitlyn Caughell, Kyle Coffman, Mike Faist, Michael Fatica, Julie Foldesi, Garett Hawe, Thayne Jasperson, Evan Kasprzak, Jess LeProtto, Stuart Marland, Andy Richardson, Jack Scott, Ryan Steele, Brendon Stimson, Nick Sullivan, Ephraim M. Sykes, Laurie Veldheer, Alex Wong and Stuart Zagnit.

“This award acknowledges and honors the enormous talent and contributions members of a chorus make to a Broadway production,” said Equity second vice president and chair of the ACCA Rebecca Kim Jordon in a statement. “The chorus members of Newsies are gifted professionals who exemplify the hard work, dedication and talent it takes to be outstanding in a Broadway musical.”

In reviewing the chorus of each Broadway production, according to press notes, the ACCA applied "specific criteria to reach their decision. The ACCA considered the requirements made on each chorus by the director, the choreographer, and the musical director. They also considered the caliber of technical skill used to execute those requirements as well as the contributions made by the entire chorus to the overall production."

All 12 Broadway chorus musicals that opened in the 2010-11 season were eligible for the award. *

Actors' Equity Association (Equity), which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013, represents more than 49,000 professional stage actors and stage managers nationwide. Equity "seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society."