Submitted by Danny Yuska,

ITA High School Representative

What is your name?  What pronouns do you use?

Mike “Mez” Miserendino.  He/Him

Please tell us about your education or training in theatre.

I am a proud alumnus of Lake Park High School and a student of Ms. Susie Rothchild, the late Mr. Mike Dice, and the late Mr. Larry Studt.  I completed my bachelor's degree in Theatre at Illinois State University and have a Master's in Secondary Education from Roosevelt University.  Since graduating from ISU, I have professionally acted around the Chicagoland area.

Where have you taught/directed?  What do you teach?  And for how many years?  

I’m about to start my 15th year teaching English and Theatre at Bartlett High School.  Before my career at Bartlett, I previously worked at Fremd High School, Fenton High School, and Lake Park High School.  This coming school year, I’ll be teaching Honors Sophomore English, Theatre Experience, Actor’s Workshop, and Advanced Theatre Production.

What theatre project/production are you currently involved with or in the planning stages for?   

In addition to directing the 2027 All-State production of Something Rotten!, I am the Production Manager for the School District U-46 Summer Theatre production of Peter and the Starcatcher, and I am preparing for the 2026-2027 Theatre Season at BHS, which includes the play Front by Robert Caisley and Meredith Willson’s The Music Man.

What is the best thing about your job? 

It’s the students.  It has always been, and always will be.  Every rehearsal is an opportunity to watch young people discover talents they never knew they had, find confidence in their own voices, and learn the power of collaboration, empathy, and perseverance.  They arrive with different backgrounds, experiences, and dreams, but together they create something far greater than any one individual could accomplish alone.  Watching students take risks, overcome obstacles, celebrate one another’s successes, and grow into compassionate artists and remarkable human beings is the greatest privilege of this profession.  The productions may close, the sets may come down, and the applause may fade, but the relationships built, the memories created, and the lessons learned remain long after the final curtain call.  The shows are unforgettable, but the students are the reason I do them.  They are the heart of every rehearsal, the soul of every performance, and without question, the very best part of my job.

What is the biggest challenge you face related to your work in the theatre?

For me, the biggest challenges I face extend far beyond simply putting a show on stage.  The job is about balancing artistry, education, logistics, and student development all at the same time.  Perhaps the greatest challenge is creating an environment where every student feels valued and has an opportunity to grow.  As a director, I try to balance the needs of experienced performers with those of students stepping onto the stage for the first time, while ensuring everyone feels included, challenged, and supported.  A theatre program succeeds or fails based on its culture.  I try to foster an environment of respect, kindness, accountability, and collaboration while addressing conflicts, disappointments with cast lists, and interpersonal challenges that naturally arise among teenagers.  Casting is one of the most difficult responsibilities of a director.  No matter how thoughtfully decisions are made, talented students will inevitably be disappointed.  I try to navigate these conversations with compassion while helping my students understand that their worth is not defined by a role.  Overall, the greatest challenge of being a high school theatre director is also the greatest reward: helping young people grow into confident, compassionate, resilient adults while creating extraordinary art together.  The sets, costumes, and performances are temporary; the impact on students can last a lifetime.

Of what theatrical accomplishments are you most proud?

People often assume that the productions are what make me the proudest.  They see the standing ovations, the beautiful sets, the polished performances, and the awards.  While those moments are certainly gratifying, they are not what I cherish the most.  What makes me proudest are my students and the incredible things they go on to accomplish.  Some continue their journey in theatre, performing on college stages, working professionally, or pursuing careers in the arts.  Others become teachers, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, parents, or leaders in their communities.  Regardless of the path they choose, seeing them grow into kind, confident, resilient, and compassionate people is the greatest reward of this profession.  The greatest privilege of being a theatre teacher is having a front-row seat to that growth.  I have the opportunity to watch shy freshmen become confident leaders, uncertain students discover their voices, and talented young artists become remarkable human beings.  Years later, hearing about their successes fills me with more pride than any standing ovation ever could.  Their accomplishments will always mean more to me than my own work, because they are the true legacy of my work.  If I have played even a small part in helping them discover who they are and who they can become, then I consider myself incredibly fortunate.

Who was/is your mentor?

Some people teach a subject.  Others change the course of a person’s life.  My high school theatre teacher, Ms. Susie Rothchild, did so much more than teach me how to perform.  She saw something in me before I ever saw it in myself.  She challenged me to dream bigger, work harder, and believe that I was capable of more than I imagined.  Every rehearsal, every note, every word of encouragement – and even every tough critique – helped shape not only the artist I became, but the educator, director, and person I am today.  Ms. Rothschild created a place where I felt safe to take risks, to fail, to grow, and to succeed.  In a world that can often make young people question their worth, she made me feel valued, heard, and capable.  Her classroom and the Lake Park High School Auditorium became a second home.  It’s where lifelong friendships were formed, confidence was built, and memories were made.  Looking back, the greatest lessons I learned from Roth were about compassion, the importance of preparation, collaboration, humility, and believing in something larger than myself.  Her guidance, patience, and unwavering support mean the world to me, and I’m fortunate to still have Roth in my life.  She continues to come to all of my shows, and we enjoy time together while attending Cubs games at Wrigley Field.  The influence of an extraordinary teacher never leaves you.  Her belief in me became part of who I am, and for that, I will always be grateful.

Please describe your history with the Illinois High School Theatre Festival.

My first experience with the Illinois High School Theatre Festival was when I was a freshman at Lake Park High School, and our production of Romeo and Juliet was selected for the Fest in January of 2000.  Since the 2000 Festival, I’ve attended 23 Festivals, performed as the Police Sergeant in the 2002 All-State production of The Pirates of Penzance under the direction of Tom Rusnak, volunteered for All-State productions as an ISU Intern, enjoyed collaborative conversations as an IHSTF Play Responder, served on several IHSTF Executive Committees, assistant directed the 2025 All-State production of The Prom under the direction of Danny Yuska, and sponsored countless students while at the Festival.

Do you have a specific IHSTF or ITA memory you would care to share?

I have MANY wonderful memories specific to IHSTF and the Illinois Theatre Association.  A few that come to mind include:

• Being a freshman and seeing the 2000 All-State production of Big River.  I vividly remember my jaw dropping when I saw the raft with Huck and Jim rise from the pit in the Braden Auditorium at ISU.

• In Act 2 of the 2002 All-State production of The Pirates of Penzance, the Cops performed the 11 o’clock number “When a Felon’s Not Engaged In His Employment.”  After we performed that song, we received thunderous applause that seemed to go on for eternity.  I remember being frozen in the final pose, thinking the applause would end and the music for the next song would start, but then the applause just crescendoed.  Shoutout to Judy Klingner for her brilliant and humorous choreography.

• I have the fondest memories working on the 2025 All-State production of The Prom.  It was a very special experience for everyone involved.

What do you hope for regarding theatre in the state of Illinois?

My hope for theatre in the state of Illinois is that we continue to build a culture rooted in community, collaboration, and generosity.  I hope we never lose sight of the fact that theatre is at its best when we lift one another up – when schools celebrate each other’s successes, when educators freely share ideas and resources, and when students see one another not as competitors, but as fellow artists.  The Illinois High School Theatre Festival has always embodied that spirit.  It reminds us that our greatest strength is not found in awards or accolades, but in the relationships we build, the stories we share, and the opportunities we create for one another.  The Festival brings together students and educators from every corner of our state, proving that we are part of something much bigger than our individual programs.  Its founding purpose has always been to create a statewide, non-competitive environment where theatre can be shared, experienced, and celebrated together.  I hope we continue to foster an environment where every student feels welcomed, valued, and inspired to create.  I hope we champion every kind of theatre program – large and small, urban and rural – and recognize that each has something meaningful to contribute to our collective artistic community.  Most of all, I hope the future of Illinois theatre is defined by kindness.  That we choose encouragement over comparison, collaboration over competition, and mentorship over gatekeeping.  If we continue to invest in one another, celebrate one another, and believe in the incredible young artists across our state, there is no limit to what Illinois theatre can become.