DePaul University Theatre Professor and Chicago Actress Julia Neary Has Died at Age 50

The Theatre School at DePaul University sadly announces the passing of Julia Neary, who died January 3, 2015 at age 50, after a battle with liver and colon cancer. She was surrounded by friends and family. Julia Neary was assistant professor of movement and acting at The Theatre School at DePaul University, formerly the Goodman School of Drama, where she taught for 14 years, and collaborated on dozens of productions.

Julia's family has announced the creation of the Julia Neary Memorial Scholarship Fund, to continue the trajectory of her amazing care for and support of Theatre School students. Contributions can be mailed to the attention of Dean John Culbert, The Theatre School at DePaul University, 2350 North Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614. Gifts can be made out to The Theatre School at DePaul University, noting the Julia Neary Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The Theatre School will dedicate the 2014-15 season to Julia-to honor her spirit of collaboration, dedication, and passion for great work.

A public Memorial will be held at The Theatre School at DePaul University, 2350 N Racine Ave (at Fullerton) on January 24, 2015 at 10 AM, in the Fullerton Stage Theatre.

Julia Neary joined The Theatre School as Assistant Professor of Movement and Acting in the fall of 2010, after having served as an adjunct performance faculty member for the previous ten years. She graduated with a BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 1990, and went on to receive advanced training at the University of Utah in Integrated Movement Studies - a graduate level certification program in Laban/Bartenieff Studies. She also trained in Viewpoints and Suzuki with Ann Bogart and the SITI Company, and continued training with the Institute of Somatic Education for the Certification as a Teacher/Practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method. In addition to teaching both graduate and undergraduate movement and acting at the school, Julia mentored students in performance as a movement director/choreographer for dozens of Theatre School productions, and as a director for the school's internal production series. Outside of The Theatre School, Julia taught theatre and movement for Urban Gateways, as part of the After School Arts Program; The Audition Studio; as well as Steppenwolf Theatre's Teen Cross-Town Ensemble and In-School Arts Residency programs.

Julia worked as a professional actor, writer, choreographer, producer, designer, and director in Chicago for over twenty years. She was a proud member of AEA, and SAG/AFTRA. She was a founding member of the Organic Theatre Collective, Powertap Productions, and Running With Scissors, and directed and choreographed dance, movement, and combat in theatre, television, music videos, and film. She adapted three novels for the stage, one of which received two After Dark Awards and a nomination for a Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Adaptation. As an actor, she worked with various theatres throughout Chicago including Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, Next, Seanachai Theatre Company, Metropolis, Rivendell, Victory Gardens, Next, Teatro Vista, Chicago Dramatists, Lifeline, Strawdog, About Face, Collaboraction, and received a Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Supporting Actress in Famous Door's award winning production of Ghetto, which she also choreographed. Television and film credits include Early Edition, The Untouchables, The Break Up, Black Days, Samaritan, Four/Four, Jack Slash, Etchings, Thanks Mom!, and I Think Not.

Julia brought so many inspiring qualities to The Theatre School, among them: her expertise, her artistry, her dedication to collaboration, her sense of humor and humanity, and her constant commitment to care for her students-each and every one of them. She will be greatly missed.

Photo credit: The Theatre School of DePaul University

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