Mr. Joey Fitzpatrick – Director of Theatre

Mr. Fitzpatrick joined the Maine South High School faculty in fall 2023 as Director of Theatre, teaching Theatre Workshop, Acting & Performance Lab, Advanced Theatre Studio, and Speech 103, a dual-credit course offered in partnership with Oakton College. He directs the annual fall play, V-Show, and spring musical, and sponsors the International Thespian Honor Society.

He holds bachelor’s degrees in Theatre Education and Acting, with a minor in Spanish, from Illinois State University, and a Master of Arts in Theatre Directing from Roosevelt University. Before joining Maine South, he taught theatre and Spanish at Yorkville High School (2013–2018) and Stevenson High School (2018–2023).

Throughout his career, Mr. Fitzpatrick has championed theatre as a space for creativity, collaboration, and personal growth. He has served on the executive committee of the Illinois High School Theatre Festival and is a member of the Illinois Theatre Association. His directing work includes two student performers who advanced to New York City’s Jimmy Awards after winning Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards, as well as his 2024 production of Pippin, which received a Best Production nomination from the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Passionate about expanding students’ horizons, Mr. Fitzpatrick develops theatre curricula aligned with national standards and designs and leads international travel opportunities for theatre and fine arts students, encouraging cultural exploration and global citizenship. Outside the classroom, he enjoys exercising, reading, spending time with family, and exploring Spanish culture, particularly flamenco.

Mr. Jon Luke Lassa – technical director

An alumn of Maine South Theatre, Mr. Lassa joined the Maine South High School faculty in fall 2025.