AWARD OF HONOR:  JOHN MUSZYNSKI, Maine South High School

As I look around the room, I see that we are blessed to have with us today several past recipients of the Illinois Theatre Association’s highest recognition: the Award of Honor to a Member,  I can think of no greater honor than to be counted among them.  Today’s recipient is most deserving of joining their ranks.  In his distinguished career, he has been involved in virtually every aspect of dramatic arts.  He has taught middle school, managed the Body Politic, a legendary Chicago theatre company, directed countless plays, and has recently added teaching college to his vitae.  For decades he has taught at Maine South High School, inspiring generations of young, aspiring theatre artists to hone their craft, dream of the future, and live life infused with the Arts.  His passion has become their passion.  That is the magic he makes. 

He has been the secondary-school representative to this organization.  He has generously devoted his time to our Illinois High School Theatre Festival Committee as the Associate Director of Workshops, and taking the helm as the 1999 Executive Director of the Festival – a mammoth undertaking, with an extraordinary result.

In 2002, he received the ITA’s Award for accomplishments in secondary school education.  Also in 2002, he was commissioned by the festival committee to bring a multi-cast version of Love Letters to the high school festival involving teachers from across the state.  This was so well received – a delight for both students and teachers -- that he was asked to return with other casts in 2006. 

In 2008, his concept was reborn with his delightful production of The Fan.  I was fortunate to be asked to be a part of that production, and it is one of my fondest memories of the festival over many years.  In 2004, his creative vision for Arabian Nights became the festival’s All-State production.  Colleagues from across the state -- who had not previously witnessed his special combination of artistry, energy, innovation, and technical know-how -- came to understand this fine director’s work, as the loosely woven tales of Mary Zimmerman’s play were woven even more tightly, into an even more beautiful tapestry than ever before.

For twenty years he has brought his students to the high school festival; he has sponsored the school’s Thespian troupe; he has worked with parents of his school community to run the strongest and most supportive parents’ booster organization I have ever seen.  He has taken on more than his share of student teachers, helping prepare some of our state’s finest theatre educators.  Routinely traveling to New York and Stratford, Ontario, he creates his own professional development regimen.  He has been active in AATE, especially in planning the very memorable pre-convention activities for their Chicago 2005 convention.  He is a founding member/organizer of NITE, Northern Illinois Theatre Educators.  He is a leader in his field.  He is a Leader.  We look to him to see how to do it – and how to do it well. 

He has been the president of ITA.  And we owe him our gratitude for his strong, articulate leadership during a difficult time of transition – a time we wondered if ITA would come out the other end of the tunnel … or not. With him at the helm, we emerged stronger than ever.He is kind; he is generous; he is talented; he is skilled; he is classy.  He is John Muszynski, and he is a member of ITA.  It is an unending pleasure to call to the podium John Muszynski, the 2009 recipient of the Illinois Theatre Association’s Award of Honor.

 

Awards Presentation by Timothy Ortmann, ITA Board President

Pictured above are John Muszynski (Maine South High School), and Timothy Ortmann (ITA Board President)