The Sarah Siddons Society is honored to present its 2026 Leading Artist Award to James Moore, Music Director and Conductor of Lincoln Center Theatre’s Tony Award-winning revival of Ragtime.
Moore will be honored by the Society on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at The CheckOut, 4116 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Following a 6 pm cocktail reception, attendees will enjoy a musical tribute celebrating Moore’s career featuring performances by Alfreda Burke, Jim Corti (original Ragtime cast), Rodrick Dixon (original Ragtime cast), Tom Michael and Zoé Sotores, under the music direction of Beckie Menzie and directed by Joan Curto. Single tickets ($125) and sponsorships are currently available at sarahsiddonssociety.org/events-list/2026/leading-artist-award.
Pictured: James Moore. Photo by Andy Henderson.
The Leading Artist Award (formerly the Leading Lady Award and Leading Man Award) is given by the Sarah Siddons Society to a theatre artist of accomplishment who has a Chicago connection. Moore grew up in the Chicago area. Past recipients include David Cromer, Michael Greif, Courtney Reed, Dominic Missimi, Jackie Taylor, E. Faye Butler, Heidi Kettenring, Jim Corti and Rondi Reed, among others.
Sarah Siddons Society President Martin Balogh comments “The Sarah Siddons Society is extremely pleased to present its Leading Artist Award to James Moore in recognition of his extraordinary contributions as a musical director and conductor to countless Broadway productions. His exceptional artistry, dedication and influence have enriched the American theater and inspired audiences and performers alike. We are honored to celebrate his remarkable achievements with this well-deserved award.”
About James Moore:
James Moore’s credits include Lincoln Center Theatre: Ragtime, South Pacific. Broadway: Miss Saigon, Gigi, On the Town, Follies, Ragtime, Steel Pier, Company. Off-Broadway: Ragtime (City Center Gala), Road Show (Encores! Off-Center), The Pirates of Penzance (Public Theatre Gala). Tours: Les Misérables (Music Supervisor), The Producers, Kiss Me, Kate, Crazy for You, And The World Goes ‘Round. Regional: Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, Gypsy (The Muny), Titanic (Signature Theatre), The Music Man, Mame, (The Kennedy Center) Hello, Dolly! (Ford’s Theatre). Guest conductor with The Boston Pops, National Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Education: Master and Bachelor of Music, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
About Sarah Siddons Society
Since its inception, the mission of the Society has been to fund scholarships to promising theater arts students at top Chicago area universities including; The Theater Department, Columbia College; The Theatre School at DePaul University; Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, Northwestern University School of Communications and the School of Theatre and Dance at Northern Illinois University. For additional information, visit sarahsiddonssociety.org.