Playbill | Remembering John C. McIlwee

It is not often that life brings us someone as special, someone as talented, and someone as loved as John McIlwee. On Sunday, October 2, 2022, John Clinton McIlwee, loving and devoted husband and father, passed away after a long illness at the age of 74. His inspiration to so many has been made evident over the past week by the outpouring of many cherished stories from his students, family, and friends. Many speak of how their lives were made better because of him and University Theatre is no different.

John worked here at University Theatre at NC State for almost 32 years and for 28 of those years – as the director – he led the program to new heights. During his tenure, John assumed many roles, seeing hundreds of productions to opening night as director, designer, artist or performer. When he was not in the theatre, John could be found in the classroom teaching and mentoring students, in an OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) discussing theatre history, or surrounded by students in the costume shop as he prepared for the next show.

Beyond the walls of Frank Thompson Hall, John worked extensively throughout the United States as an actor, director, costume designer, scenic designer, makeup artist and playwright. He had a master’s degree in theatre and an Master of Fine Arts in theatre design. He was also a national award-winning fashion designer and a two-time winner of the National Arts and Letters Council Award for Children’s playwriting. He was a recipient of the Raleigh Medal of Arts along with numerous other awards.

We invite you to hear John reflect on his years with University Theatre in an article written at the time of his retirement and to view John’s obituary.

There will be no funeral or visitation, but a Celebration of Life will be held in early 2023 for family and friends, as well as alumni and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, gifts in John’s memory may be made to the NC State University Foundation in support of the John C. McIlwee Theatre Endowment: a fund for greatest needs of the NC State University Theatre program. Contributions can be made online or via checks made payable to the “NC State University Foundation” with McIlwee Theatre Endowment noted on the memo line mailed to the address below. 

We continue to share in our community’s heartbreak during this time. John’s artistry and devotion to his work has been an inspiration to so many and University Theatre would not be what it is today without him. We continue to hold tight to our warmhearted memories of John, may they bring comfort to us all.

John C. McIlwee Theatre Endowment
NC State Gifts and Records Management
Campus Box 7474
Raleigh, NC 27695

Please contact Peyton Stokley, Director of Development, with questions. 919-513-4101