The Rev. Anthony J. Lauck, C.S.C., Award - 2020: Patrick Vassel ’07

Published on March 17, 2026

2020: Patrick Vassel ’07

 
 

In recognition of his superior work as a Broadway director, writer, and teacher, and his leadership in crafting Sorin: A Notre Dame Story, Patrick Vassel ’07 was presented with this award.

Vassel is a director and playwright from Akron, Ohio. He is currently the Associate and Supervising Director of Hamilton.

Some of Vassel’s other credits include Freestyle Love Supreme (Associate Director) and Magic/Bird (Assistant Director) on Broadway; In a Little Room (The Wild Project), Two Rooms (79 Clifton Place), Rum for Sale (Columbia University), The Gravediggers (Theatre East Reading), Connect (Workshop - Ten Bones), The Adventures of Boy and Girl (FringeNYC ’13), Font of Knowledge (Shelby Company), The Little Dog Laughed (The Gallery Players, 1st NYC Revival) in New York.

Additionally, Vassel has directed The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Homecoming (Stella Adler), Lombardi (Palace Theatre, Wisconsin), and Six Characters in Search of an Author (the University of Notre Dame, Original Adaptation). His work as a co-writer/director includes Nothing Left to Burn (Ars Nova ANTFest, The Public Theater New Work Now!, O’Neill Semi-Finalist, The Lark Playwrights Week 2015).

Vassel is a member of the Notre Dame Performing Arts Advisory Council and the Notre Dame Media and Entertainment Leadership Committee. He is a former teaching artist and current member of the Artistic Advisory Board of Opening Act, a non-profit providing free, after-school theater programs in NYC high schools. He is also a 2019 honoree of the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Rev. Mahar Outstanding Alumni Award.

"This award is a humbling honor and it is a tremendous thrill to join this remarkable group of previous honorees. I learned how to be an artist at Notre Dame. This award is gratifying and an inspiration to continue to work and create to live up to it."

Other news

The Rev. Anthony J. Lauck, C.S.C., Award - 2018: William P. “Billy” Bradford II ’74 M.A.

March 17, 2026
2018: William P. “Billy” Bradford II ’74 M.A.  In recognition of his outstanding work as an actor, director, and longtime theatre educator, William P. “Billy” Bradford II ’74 M.A. is honored with this award.Bradford’s foundation was set thanks to his Catholic education and the messages he received from his parents. His mother told him he had two choices: get ordained a priest and/or graduate from

The Rev. Anthony J. Lauck, C.S.C., Award - 2023: Stephen McFeely '91

March 17, 2026
2023: Stephen McFeely '91  In recognition of his award-winning work in film, television, and theater, including writing screenplays for two of the top five highest-grossing films of all time, Stephen McFeely ’91 is honored with this award.Graduating from Notre Dame in ’91 with a degree in English and Government and International Studies, McFeely went on to earn a master’s in writing at the Univers