Alum Jonathan Meier Selected for Award of Honor

Theatre School alum JONATHAN MEIER (MFA, Acting, ’85) is awarded with the Illinois Theatre Association’s 2019 Award of Honor. From the original article on the Mundelein High School website:

“Jonathan Meier, director of Mundelein Theatre at Mundelein High School, was recently presented with the Illinois Theatre Association’s (ITA)2019 Award of Honor. The organization’s highest honor, the award was presented as part of the Illinois Theatre Association’s Annual Red Carpet Gala, held at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook.“I don’t know if I was more honored or shocked when I received the notification. The Illinois Theatre Association is an organization that is near and dear to my heart and to receive this honor from them is special beyond words,” Meier said.Each year the ITA recognizes both individuals and organizations for their significant contributions of promoting quality theatre throughout Illinois. Meier was nominated by the ITA community, approved by its divisional representatives and accepted by ITA’s board of directors.“We are grateful and fortunate that Jonathan found his way back from the business world to the world of theatre education,” said Aimee-Lynn Newlan, executive director of the ITA. “We appreciate his service on the ITA Board as a Secondary School Theatre Representative, and, of course, serving on the Finance Committee,” she said. “We cherish his participation in the Illinois High School Theatre Festivals. We admire that, aside from an 18-year banking stint, both his personal and professional life have been immersed in the world of theatre.”“I was especially honored to have so many MHS administrators and theatre staff in attendance at the Gala to help me celebrate,” Meier said. “I think it speaks volumes as to the level of support for theatre and the arts in general at Mundelein High School.””

source: https://www.d120.org/theatre-director-presented-with-highest-honor/?fbclid=IwAR1IN7l0HcPV3A_vpYdBkogfqkz6JeTv-wdFvZ9WIJ_FDXXDqKIn-lwlw-0

 

Congratulations to 2019 Equity Jeff Nominees

2019 Equity Jeff Nominees – DePaul Alum:

New Work – Play

     IKE HOLTER (BFA, Playwriting, ’07) – Lottery Day, Goodman Theatre

Director – Play – Midsize

     IAN FRANK (MFA, Directing, ’13) Frankenstein, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company

Director – Musical – Midsize

     MICHAEL WEBER (BFA, Acting, ’90) Gypsy, Porchlight Music Theatre

Performer In A Principal Role – Musical

     E. FAYE BUTLER (GSD) Gypsy (Rose), Porchlight Music Theatre

Sound Design – Midsize

     MATT REICH (BFA, Sound Design, ’15) The Worst Mother in the World, Halcyon Theatre

 

The 51 st Annual Equity Jeff Awards will be held on Monday, October 21st, at Drury Lane Theatre. The event will be directed by Steve Scott and feature performances from nominated musicals and plays.

Advance tickets, which include the ceremony and pre-/post-show parties, are $85 ($65 for members of Actors’ Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, Stage Directors, and Choreographers Society, Stage Managers’ Association, IATSE, The Dramatists Guild of America, and the American Federation of Musicians). Tickets at the door, if available, will be an additional $10 per ticket.

 

Alum Catherine Miller is named Honoree for Windy City Times’ 20th Annual 30 under 30 awards

30 Under 30 Awards Ceremony, Polo Cafe and Catering, 6/26/2019.  CATHERINE MILLER (BFA, Dramaturgy/Criticism, ’14) is an honoree.

“Honorees are 30 years or under as of June 30, and have made substantial contributions to the Chicagoland LGBT community in the fields of entertainment, politics, health, activism, academics, sports or other areas. Hundreds of people have been honored by the paper in the more than 10 years since the awards were established.”

“Catherine Miller is a queer non-binary casting director originally from San Diego, California. After Catherine came out, they realized the lack of representation on local stages of non-binary and trans individuals. They began advocating and educating theatre companies about breaking the binary in casting and make audition rooms safe spaces for all. Over the past two years, they’ve been invited to speak on panels and create workshops for Director’s Lab Chicago, The Theatre School at DePaul and Steppenwolf Theatre.

Catherine is a company member at First Floor Theater and most recently has cast for Raven Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, and Red Tape Theatre. They are a nominator for the Kilroy’s List and were featured on New City’s 2019 Players: The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago. Catherine holds a BFA in Dramaturgy/Criticism from The Theatre School at DePaul. They also happen to be in the Fly Honey Show!

Did you know? When Catherine was ten, they won an all expense paid trip to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure by entering a contest at Target.”

 

Source: Windy City Times