Educational Tony Award Honorable Mention Erica Heilmann Passes Away at 43

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Excellence in Theatre Education Award honorable mention Erica Heilmann has passed away at age 43. She was taken following a seven year battle with a cancer known as thymoma.

Heilmann was a longtime drama teacher at Thornton Fractional South High School and founded theatre programs in the area. She was honored by the Tony Awards in June of 2017.

Following her award announcement Heilmann said, ""I wanted to be my high school drama teacher...I never wanted to be the starving artist on Broadway. I wanted to teach."

An actor, producer, and director, Heilmann inspired students across the years. Read more about her life here.

The Excellence in Theatre Education Award recognizes a K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who has demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession. A panel of judges comprised of the American Theatre Wing, The Broadway League, Carnegie Mellon University and other leaders from the theatre industry select from finalists across the nation.