Jack Lucky Education/Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theatre Studies The Theatre School at DePaul University Juris Doctor, magna cum laude Southwestern Law School

How do you use your training from The Theatre School professionally, or in life? Many people joke that my theatre background helped me as a trial lawyer. They think the courtroom is a stage and a trial is drama, so a theatre education is an asset. I admit they're partly right. But I learned more at the Theatre School than turning trials into melodramas. I learned the importance of theme at TTS. A trial, like a play, has a spine. As every action on stage must tell the audience the theme, every trial argument and every piece of evidence must tell the jury what's important. Thematic continuity makes a trial understandable, and my Theatre School training taught me to see how each piece of the trial supports the greater message. At TTS, I learned the mechanics of keeping people's interest. Early in my legal career, I knew how to use pace, dynamics, and focus in trial. I used staging techniques to make sure my juries saw interesting images. I used design theory to make my trial exhibits and visual aids interesting and clear. I structured each of my trials with a dramatic arc.

Most importantly, I learned to read critically at TTS. By studying great writing, my reading improved. I applied dramatic lit reading techniques to legal texts. A theatre student reads early English dramatic literature and divines the spine; a law student reads early English court decisions and finds the holding (the caselaw equivalent of theme). Because I could read arcane English easily and find theme quickly, I excelled in law school.

My Theatre School education gave me tools to excel in law school and my legal career. I believe it will serve me equally well in my new career as a judge.

Was there a specific class or project that stands out in your mind from your time at The Theatre School that you feel impacted your training, craft, or artistry in a unique or powerful way? Studying dramatic lit had the greatest impact on my legal career. There I learned to read, write, and communicate better. I owe my success to John O'Malley's (now Professor Emeritus) History of Dramatic Literature and David Ball's Backwards and Forwards.

Was there a specific faculty or staff member at The Theatre School who particularly inspired you or impacted your work? Who, and in what way? Donald W. Ilko inspired and challenged me. Many times I told Don that I was choosing some career path in theatre because I thought there would be less competition. I figured less competition meant easier success for me. Don would give me a look and say, "You're going to be successful. Stop worrying about that. Find what you really want." Of course, every acting teacher beats into your skull, "What's your motivation?" But Don told me to apply it in real life, forcing me to search for my passion and chase it. Once I realized I loved justice more than the stage, it was easy to give up the latter. I've never regretted it.

How do you feel about the fact that Chicago was the backdrop to your professional training in the theatre? Chicago is my favorite city and my favorite place to see theatre. The Chicago scene is geographically concentrated, reasonably priced, and richly diverse. As a student, I often paid less for live theatre than I did for movies. I saw shows free on "actors night" or by donating canned goods during food drives. I could see two or three shows in one night by walking from space to space or by taking the train. I saw everything from Shakespeare to blockbuster musicals to experimental improvisations where people put a live "cannibal" chicken on stage so it would eat a cooked rotisserie chicken. Add great food, music, and public transportation to the mix and you have theatre student heaven.

What advice would you give to young professionals training to enter your field? I doubt many Theatre School students see themselves as future lawyers or judges, but here goes: find your passion and do that. Many lawyers (and others) are unhappy with their jobs. They spend many unhappy hours at work. My hours have been happy because I love what I do. Follow Don Ilko's advice and have no regrets.

You were trained in theatre. Have you applied your training to another field (TV, film, business, etc), and if so – how did your training help? How did you do it?The Theatre School taught me the value of comedy, tragedy, and absurdity in real life. Court is rarely exciting, frequently boring, and occasionally depressing. Well-placed and contextually appropriate humor can put people at ease. A non sequitur can sometimes lift the mood, or at least distract people. Ionesco, Stoppard, and Pinter taught me this. Of course, they also taught me that my humor can fall on deaf ears and just confuse people. At least it distracts them.

Is there another connection or experience from your time at The Theatre School that you would like to share? I would share this advice: love every minute you're here. You will see real talent at The Theatre School. There were people I knew who were as good as anybody. They probably still are. Realize the awesome opportunity you have to work with some of the world's best. It's something you may never experience again. Savor it.

What’s on the horizon for you? Personally, I'm trying to develop my skills as a husband and father. That's my most important (and most challenging) task. Professionally, I want to learn my new job. I'm a family law judge whose experience was criminal law. I have a lot to study.

On the legal front, I have some ideas for legal software and journal articles. I write software as a hobby and I'm hoping to write on the law. I'm an Associate Adjunct Professor at Southwestern Law School and will continue teaching there. Maybe I'll teach Dramatic Lit one day.