VIDEO: NBC TODAY Honors Indiana High School Theatre Teacher For Fifty Years of Inspiring Students

When Craig Munk first directed East Noble High School Theatre's production of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical was a recent Broadway hit that would soon be released as a major motion picture.

Fifty years later, with his wife and long-time assistant director Karen Munk at his side, Mr. Munk, as his students call him, will end his teaching career at the Kendallville, Indiana town with the same Frank Loesser/Abe Burrows musical.

Rick Criswell, an East Noble student from 33 years ago, participated in twenty productions under Mr. Munk's guidance, and he credits the experience for not only instilling in him a passion for theatre, but a passion for life.

After Criswell expressed some of that passion to NBC TODAY's Kathie Lee Gifford, the three of them were invited to New York to be a part of their ongoing feature "Everyone Has a Story." Criswell talked about what the Munks have meant to their community and A.J. Shively, currently starring in the new Broadway musical Bright Star by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, came out to sing a special song in their honor, "Your Passion," written by Gifford and her collaborator for the Broadway musical SCANDALOUS, composer David Friedman.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING plays this Thursday through Sunday at East Noble High School. Visit eastnobletheatre.net.