J.W. Morrissette

Biography

J.W. Morrissette is the Associate Head of the Department of Theatre at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has served in the Department of Theatre for 29 years. He has served as chair of the BFA Theatre Studies Program, the Assistant Head for Academic Programs, as well as the assistant program coordinator for INNER VOICES Social Issues Theatre. He worked for Stuart Howard and Associates Casting in New York interning as a casting assistant for many Broadway productions and television commercials. J.W. taught and directed for 23 years with the summer Theatre Department at Interlochen Center for the Arts. At the University of Illinois, his classes include Acting, Directing, Introduction to Theatre Arts, and Broadway Musicals. He has been integral in developing components for the online course offerings in the department as well as supervising all senior Theatre Studies Thesis Projects.  He has spent several summers acting with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Interlochen Shakespeare Festival and directs professionally when time allows. He has received the Provost’s Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, the College of Fine and Applied Arts Specialized Faculty Award for Excellence, and the Illinois Theatre Association Award of Excellence in College/University Theatre. In 2025, J.W. received the King Broadrick-Allen Award for Excellence in Honors Teaching.