Presented By Judy Klingner, ITA President-Emeritus

Every year, the ITA Award of Honor goes to someone who is deserving, but this year’s winner–Jeremy Morton–is truly the best of the best!  During his 25 years of teaching and directing at Prospect High School, Jeremy has faithfully followed his mission: to create safe places where every student can discover their voice, embrace their passions, build meaningful relationships, and experience the transformative power of the arts.  

As Prospect's Head Theatre Director, Jeremy directs 4 productions a year and the District 214 Summer Musical, a program he founded that brings together students and educators from across the district.  He also serves as the District’s Fine Arts Coordinator, expanding innovative arts programming and collaborative opportunities for students and staff across all six district high schools.

I first met Jeremy, well… a long time ago.  I think it was when he was still in college.  I saw his passion for theatre then, and it’s been a joy to watch him grow as a theatre-maker, a theatre educator, and a theatre advocate.  In his younger days, he volunteered for the IHSTF in many areas, but his outreach goes beyond our beloved Festival.  

On a personal level, Jeremy is always there to help anyone who asks.  If I reach out to him about borrowing costumes I can’t find for a musical I’m directing at nearby Palatine High School, he is very generous and sends me home with the costumes I asked for AND with a box of props he thinks I might need as well.  If I am considering directing a play at Maine West High School that I know he has directed, he is willing to discuss any challenges he came across and share how he solved those problems.    

And recently, J-Mo, as Wesley Skym calls him, has been instrumental in growing the ITA’s Youth Theatre programming.  Wes teaches at a middle school that feeds into Prospect High School, and together, Wes and Jeremy have created a local middle school theatre festival.  The Youth Theatre Division has shared the process so that other schools in the state can follow their lead.  With Jeremy’s help, the ITA is working on the first area-wide Middle School Theatre Festival called 5-6-7-8! to be held at Harper College in March.  

We are so fortunate that Jeremy is a passionate member of the ITA!  He is a wonderful role model to educators and theatre artists throughout the state of Illinois.  Jeremy, I know that you have been recognized for your achievements quite often.   From receiving the Illinois State Board of Education Award of Excellence and the National Bubbl'r Teacher of the Year Award to the Daily Herald Suburban Top Teacher Award, it's obvious that you are a go-getter.  And today, I get to add to your accolades.  

It is my privilege to present the 2026 Illinois Theatre Association’s Award of Honor to Jeremy Morton!  Congratulations!