District 214's Jeremy Morton Earns Top Illinois Theatre Honor

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Jeremy Morton, High School District 214's fine arts coordinator and head theatre director at Prospect High School, was among eight theatre professionals, educators and organizations honored by the Illinois Theatre Association with its 2026 Awards of Excellence.

Morton received the Award of Honor — Member, one of the statewide organization’s top recognitions.

The awards were presented Aug. 29 during ITA's annual members celebration, "All of Illinois Theatre is Connected!," at Jen's Guesthouse in Willow Springs.

Each year, the Illinois Theatre Association recognizes individuals and organizations for leadership, artistry, education, mentorship and service across high school, college and university, community, professional and youth theatre.

Honorees are nominated by members of the Illinois theatre community and selected by the ITA Board of Directors.

"Illinois theatre thrives because of the extraordinary people and organizations who dedicate their talent, creativity and leadership to making theatre possible in communities across our state," ITA President Mark Begovich said. "These honorees represent the very best of what happens when we educate, mentor, create and collaborate."

2026 Awards Of Excellence

In addition to Morton, this year's honorees were:

• Megan McCann, director of conference services at Illinois State University — Award of Honor, Non-Member
• Kristen Mackie — Anne Thurman Mentorship Award
• Morton College Theatre Department — College/University Theatre Division Award
• Richmond Hill Players — Community Theatre Division Award
• David Morrison, theatre director at Bolingbrook High School — High School Theatre Division Award
• AB Productions — Professional Theatre Division Award
• The Children’s Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Company — Youth Theatre Division Award

The Illinois Theatre Association said the honorees reflect the breadth of theatre work being done across the state and its effort to connect and support theatre communities at all levels.

The organization serves youth, high school, college and university, community and professional theatre through education, advocacy, collaboration, networking and statewide programming.

More information is available at illinoistheatre.org.