The Theatre Conservatory

Jerry Proffit
The Theatre Conservatory Faculty

Jerry Proffit is the administrator for our summer Fast Track Masters in Directing Program for the past 13 years and the thesis advisor for more than 130 students who have graduated from the program.

Mr. Proffitt is an award-winning teacher and was director of theatre at Niles Township High Schools (Illinois) during his 28-year tenure there. In addition to Niles and CCPA, he has taught at Northwestern University Summer Institute, University of Illinois-Urbana Summer Institute, Loyola University, and Robert Morris College.

For nine months this past year he was the Interim Managing Director for the Illinois Theatre Association, an organization he has been active in for its 35 years, previously serving as Membership Chair, President, and Chair of four annual conventions. For the past 15 years he has been on the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee, an organization which honors excellence in the Chicago theatre community.

Mr. Proffit is a Founder, past Director, and past All-State Director of the Illinois High School Theatre Festival, a nationally honored non-competitive event in its 31st year. Mr. Proffit has served as Equity Chair, producer of four Equity Award shows, and two terms as Chair of the Committee. He has adjudicated several Community Theatre Festivals and was a judge and US delegate for the Cairo, Egypt Experimental Theatre Festival. He has presented numerous workshops at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival and state and national conventions.

Jerry holds a BA in Speech and English from the University of Wyoming, and an MA in Theatre from Northwestern University.

The Theatre Conservatory The Faculty

Jerry Proffit