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Our Founder John W. Lynn

John W. Lynn is the founder and former Director of the Kirk Players. John has been in love with theatre for more than 59 years. At Chicago’s Senn H.S., he was recruited as a replacement in a McDowell Players production, and the bug bit. The senior class play lead, two years with McDowell, four years with Chicago’s Globe Players, four years in Goodman Theatre Acting Company, professional experience in radio, television, films, “off-Broadway” and Summer Stock heightened his love of community theatre. Our “Community Stock Company” concept is the fruit of his deep love. John has served on the Mundelein H.S. Board, the Fremont Library Board, the Mundelein Community Days Commission, as Director of the Lake County Fair Queen Pageant and the Lake County Fair Talent Contest. During his 35-year Kirk Player Directorship, John sometimes allowed himself on stage. He appeared in Death of a Salesman and Social Security. John has been in several films including Return To Me, where he was Carroll O’Connor’s stand-in. His work with the Players has earned him many honors, including the ATA Community Theatre “Man of the Year,” the GLMV “Heart” Award and the prestigious Studs Terkel Humanitarian Award.