As we dedicated the Baer Theater stage in memory of the late Lillian Mackal, Morgan Park Academy also inducted its first members into a new Arts Hall of Fame on April 18, 2026, celebrating acclaimed actor Paula Newsome ’79 and accomplished filmmaker and visual storyteller Peter Babakitis ’76 as our inaugural inductees.
Both alumni, like their former teacher Ms. Mackal, embody the artistic spirit that has long been at the heart of the MPA community.
Building fruitful and fulfilling lives in the arts, they who have taken the foundation built here at MPA and transformed it into meaningful creative journeys. They remind us that the lessons learned on our stages, in our classrooms, and through our performances extend far beyond our campus.
Peter Babakitis
Peter is an accomplished writer, filmmaker, and visual storyteller whose career spans film, interactive media, and design.
Beginning his career at Lucasfilm, he worked as a storyboard artist and visual effects specialist on award-winning projects.
He later founded Image Garden Productions, creating educational content including the Emmy Award-winning Classic Stories for Children. As a director, his work ranges from experimental film to a widely studied interpretation of Shakespeare’s Henry V, shaped by training at the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre.
Peter has also worked as a conceptual designer for Apple, Microsoft, Disney, and Paramount. His feature film The Journeyman reflects his long-standing research into the European financial crisis and his personal ties to Greece.
Across mediums and decades, he has built a career defined by creative vision, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to storytelling that challenges and inspires.
Paula Newsome
Paula has built an outstanding career as a dynamic performer on stage and screen, starring as Maxine Roby on “CSI: Vegas”, with notable roles on “Chicago Med” and HBO’s “Barry”, and in films including Spider-Man: No Way Home and Little Miss Sunshine.
In fact, we’ve seen her all over our television screens in a huge range of acclaimed series — including Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Criminal Minds, NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, and Station 19.
She is also an accomplished theater actor on Broadway and leading regional theaters, reflecting a strong foundation in musicals, classical and contemporary theatre.
Congratulations to our inaugural class of inductees for the MPA Arts Hall of Fame!
Please email alumni@morganparkacademy.org for more information about the hall and nominations.
