Micetich to be honored for his work in theatre

UNIT 1 SCHOOL District theatre director Jack Micetich has been selected to received the Illinois Theatre Association's 2020 Award for Excellence in Secondary School Education. The award will be presented during the ITA's annual gala on Saturday, Sept. 26.

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The Illinois Theatre Association has announced Jack Micetich has been selected to receive its 2020 Award for Excellence in Secondary School Education.

The awards presentation will take place as part of the Illinois Theatre Association’s Annual Red Carpet Gala—The Show Must Go....Online! which will be held virtually on Saturday, Sept. 26.

“Each year the Illinois Theatre Association recognizes both individuals and organizations for their significant contributions of promoting quality theatre throughout the state of Illinois. Jack Micetich was nominated by the Illinois theatre community, approved by ITA’s divisional representatives and accepted by ITA’s Board of Directors. We are thrilled to provide this much deserved recognition,” said Aimee-Lynn Newlan, ITA’s executive director.

Micetich is the Unit 1 School District’s theatre director and drama teacher, he also serves as manager of the Coal City Performing Arts Center.

An alumnus of Coal City High School, Micetich went on to earn his bachelors degree in education from Illinois State University.

While attending college, he founded Small Town Theatrics, a local community theatre now entering its 12th season, and he has been directing and teaching ever since.

In 2018, he was nominated for Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards’ Best Direction of a Musical for his work on Les Miserables, and was subsequently nominated for the same award in 2019 for his work on Tuck Everlasting. Under his leadership, the program at Coal City has garnered 12 IHSTMA nominations, while earning Best Scenic Design in 2014 and 2016.

This past year he had the pleasure of watching his student—Riley Nevin—get the full All-State experience in the lead role of Radames in Aida during the annual Illinois Theatre Festival. Micetich has since been asked to collaborate with the production staff for the 2023 All-State production.

The annual ITA awards recognized outstanding contributions to Illinois theatre. This year’s award recipients are being honored in eight categories that include community and professional theatre and creative drama.

"I would like to thank the ITA for this incredible honor. I'd also like to hank our district, administration, and most importantly our students for believing in our vision and always striving to build and create quality theatre," Micetich said.