Michael Maggio, an award-winning theatre director who was both dean of The Theatre School, DePaul University, and associate artistic director of the Goodman Theatre, died Saturday at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., from complications of post-transplant lymphoma. Dean Maggio was a nine-year bilateral lung transplant survivor as of April of this year. He was 49.

     "In a world where beauty and art are so vital, but often lacking, we have lost a genius who was gifted in showing us their true meaning," said the Rev. John P. Minogue, C.M., president of DePaul. "God blessed us with Michael's artistic vision for too brief a time. His tragic death so early in his distinguished career leaves us only to imagine the inspiration he had yet to give us."

     Maggio was a three-time Joseph Jefferson Award winner with a long list of credits to his name. DePaul selected him to head The Theatre School in 1999 after he had been an associate professor on the faculty since 1997. Prior to that he had served as a guest director at the school, teaching advanced directing and scene study.

     At DePaul, he directed "A Century of Stories" for the university's centennial convocation in September 1998, and five plays for The Theatre School: The Grapes of Wrath and The Beaux Stratagem in 1999; The Perpetual Patient in 1998, Misalliance in 1996 and Ring Round the Moon in 1981.

&nbsb;&nbsb;&nbsb;&nbsb;&nbsb;"This is a tragic loss for DePaul, the Goodman Theatre and all those who loved quality theatre in Chicago," said Richard Meister, executive vice president for academic affairs at DePaul. We will miss his leadership, vision and relationships with the regional theatre community which were an enormous benefit to our students and faculty. During his first year as dean Michael brought tremendous energy, collegiality and good humor to both The Theatre School and DePaul University."

     Maggio led The Theatre School faculty and staff in adopting a mission and goals statement and was navigating the school through a major transition prompted by the retirement of several long-time faculty members after 20 years of relative stability. He developed long-range fundraising plans, oversaw a record-setting annual Awards Gala and obtained needed resources for improving The Theatre School buildings on Kenmore Avenue, among many other things. "Michael was a hands-on leader who, after becoming dean, continued the close relationship with students that he had forged as a teacher," said John Culbert, acting dean of The Theatre School. "The passion, dedication and vision that he brought to his work at the school was an inspiration to us all, and he will be profoundly missed."

     Visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 21 from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Montclair Lucania Funeral Home, 6901 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60634; (773) 622-9300. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Montclair Lucania Funeral Home, with burial immediately following at Mt. Carmel Cemetery at Roosevelt and Wolf Roads in Hillside, Ill.

     In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60601, (312) 226-449; Goodman Theatre, 200 S. Columbus Drive, Chicago, Ill., 60603, (312) 443-3811; or The Theatre School, DePaul University, 2135 N. Kenmore Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60614, (773) 325-7917.

     Maggio is survived by his wife, Rachel Kraft; his parents, Carlo and Genevieve Maggio, his son Ben Maggio; and his sister Dona Will and her daughter Geena Will.

     Maggio was a man of considerable talents. In addition to his responsibilities as dean, he continued his acclaimed career at Chicago's renowned Goodman Theatre by simultaneously serving as its associate artistic director, a post he held since 1987. He directed Boy Gets Girl at the Goodman last season. Other recent credits there include Waiting for Godot, As You Like It and All the Rage, all on the Mainstage. He planned to direct The Great Baseball Strike of 1994 at the new Goodman Theatre this season.

     He was a veteran theatre director and producer with more than 20 years of regional and national experience. He directed more than 50 productions since 1970 at the Goodman and other regional theatres, including the New York Shakespeare Festival, Guthrie Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Cleveland Playhouse, as well as local venues such as Northlight Theatre, Wisdom Bridge and Remains Theatre.

     Maggio earned many well-deserved accolades in his career, including Joseph Jefferson Awards for his direction of A Little Night Music and Black Snow at the Goodman Theatre and Wings at the Goodman Studio. He later received an Obie Award for his direction of Wings at the New York Shakespeare Festival. The production also received the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical. He was nominated for a Barrymore Award for his direction of Another Midsummer Night at the American Music Theatre Festival during the 1996-1997 season. He received DePaul's Theatre School Award or Excellence in the Arts in 1993.

     Maggio was a member of the board of the Arts and Business Council of Chicago and founding chairman of the Michael Merritt Awards in Theatre Design and Collaboration. Previously, he served as artistic advisor to Columbia College's Music and Theatre departments (1987-1996), and was artistic director of Northlight Theatre (1984-1987) and Woodstock Music Theatre (1980-1983). He held Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in theatre from the University of Arizona.

     The Theatre School, DePaul University, is the Midwest's oldest theatre conservatory and enrolls about 300 students from around the United States and several foreign countries. The school is known for its highly structured and practical approach to theatre training.