Donations from alumni, friends, corporations and foundations fund scholarships and programs that support and enhance the mission of the school to provide the highest level of conservatory theatre training in the country to a diverse student body. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our students, faculty and staff are very grateful for your gift to the scholarship fund, the Capital Campaign or specific programs of the school.
The Don Ilko Scholarship Fund
(1943-2018)
Don was a Theatre School faculty member for 24 years prior to his retirement in 2010. Don passed away at the age of 75 on December 7, 2018 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he had relocated upon retirement.
Don began his time at The Theatre School as an adjunct faculty member in the Fall of 1986-87. He was a full-time Visiting Assistant Professor for the next three years, and started his tenure track as an Associate Professor in 1990-91. Don was instrumental in the creation of the Theatre Studies department and served as the department's first chair. Along with his Theatre Studies responsibilities, Don also continued as a member of the BFA Acting faculty.
Don as Grampa Joad in The Theatre School's production of "The Grapes of Wrath" in 1999.Don received his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and attended the Advanced Actor Training Program at the American Conservatory Theatre. He performed with the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the Portland Conservatory Theatre, and with theatre companies in New England and in New York. In the Chicago area he appeared and directed at Court Theatre, Talisman Theatre, Stage Left Theatre, Bailiwick Repertory, Illinois Theatre Center, Writer's Theatre, Noble Fool Theatre, as well as at The Theatre School. Directing credits included Dinner At Eight, The Secret Garden, Years Ago, Some Americans Abroad, Sympathetic Magic, and What The Butler Saw. He also appeared in Look Back In Anger, Heartbreak House and Nuts as well as The Theatre School productions of The Grapes of Wrath, Noises Off, and Life's a Dream.
If you would prefer to mail your contribution, you may send it to:
The Theatre School at DePaul University
Attn: Director of Development
2350 North Racine Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Checks should be made payable to The Theatre School at DePaul University and noting "The Don Ilko Scholarship Fund" on the memo line.
SUPPORTING THE THEATRE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Join us for an evening of exploration, entertainment, and exquisite fare at Theatre on the Lake. Learn about what happens both on and off stage and get a glimpse of the student experience. All proceeds directly benefit The Theatre School Scholarship Fund.
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The Joseph Slowik Endowed Scholarship Fund
(1927-2017)
Joe was an alumnus and Professor Emeritus of acting and directing at The Theatre School at DePaul University, formerly the Goodman School of Drama, where he taught for 54 years. Joe began teaching in 1953, after earning his MFA from the Goodman School of Drama. He played a key role as a core faculty member in transitioning the Goodman School of Drama to DePaul University. During his tenure, he served as the long-time head of the MFA directing program at The Theatre School, and directed more than a hundred productions over the course of four decades, including The Time of Your Life, Journey of the Fifth Horse, The Rose Tattoo, A ShaynaMaidel, The Good Woman ofSetzuan, Camino Real, The Skin of Our Teeth, Strider,Yerma, and Mother Courage and Her Children. He was the 2001 recipient of the Theatre School's Excellence in Teaching Award.
Joe brought so many inspiring qualities to his work at The Theatre School, among them: his wisdom, inspiration, high standards, insistence on discipline, and a deep commitment to his students. He exhibited great generosity in sharing ideas and information with his colleagues. Countless directors and performers were impacted through his mentorship.
You may contribute to this scholarship fund by making a gift via credit card.
If you would prefer to mail your contribution, you may send it to:
The Theatre School at DePaul University
Attn: Director of Development
2350 North Racine Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Checks should be made payable to The Theatre School at DePaul University and noting "The Joseph Slowik Endowed Scholarship Fund" on the memo line.
Learn More
The Office of Advancement may be reached at giving.depaul.edu. This site contains information about all aspects of giving to the University and The Theatre School. This site will also direct you to a secure link, where you can make your gift and designate it for the program or funding initiative of your choice.
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Click the link below and make sure to select “The Theatre School” from the drop-down menu under School/College or Program. This will allow you to further define your gift to The Theatre School.
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