John Prignano has been a loyal advocate of Educational Theatre throughout his life, both professionally and personally. Since obtaining a BA in Dance/Theatre from Montclair State College in 1986, he has been involved in the arts in many facets, whether it be touring in productions of A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Damn Yankees, Guys and Dolls and other shows, introducing young people to classical musical performing as “Garfield”and “Odie” with symphony orchestras around the country, or judging National Dance and Talent competitions around the country for Rising Star and other organizations. For nearly the last twenty years, John has been employed by Music Theatre International, and in his role as Senior Operations Officer, he has not only led workshops around the world for teachers and community theatres, but has been instrumental in creating tools and fostering an environment at MTI that has encouraged meaningful dialogue and interaction between the licensing house and theatre educators. He has been a strong advocate for providing teachers and schools with the resources and the support to build new arts programs and sustain existing ones. As representative of MTI, John has been recipient of the EdTA Standing Ovation Award, the FATE (Florida Association of Theatre Educators) Outstanding Arts Advocate Award, AACT (American Association of Community Theatres) Corporate Award, WYACT/NJ Performing Arts Center Outstanding Arts Advocate Award and the OCTA (Ohio Community Theatre Association) President's Award.