Illinois Theatre Association

IMPORTANT UPDATE CONCERNING IHSTF 2022!


Last week, many universities announced that they will begin second semester remotely due to the rise of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.  These announcements prompted a further discussion about how the rise in cases will impact the Illinois High School Theatre Festival. Since then, the Illinois High School Theatre Festival Planning Committee and Illinois Theatre Association Board have met several times to determine how the Festival should move forward.  The truth is that many high schools have indicated that they may no longer be allowed to travel. We have also heard from many exhibits as well that they are unable to attend due to COVID.  That along with other concerns moving forward with the Festival under these circumstances is unrealistic. The health and safety of all participants of Festival are our highest priority. Therefore, we have made the difficult and emotional decision to cancel the 2022 Festival.


The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unparalleled challenges for the arts, and we’re grateful for your understanding.  Thank you to everyone across the state who has continued to prioritize theatre education and provide a space for students to collaborate, express themselves creatively, and share in the power of storytelling because “In the theatre, all are welcome.”


Email notifications have been sent out. If you have any questions at this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at executivedirector@ihstf.org


Judy Klingner

2022 IHSTF Executive Director

executivedirector@ihstf.org








Important Announcement for ITA Members!

 

2021-2023 Slate of Nominees 

for Illinois Theatre Association Board of Directors

 

 

1st Vice-president - Mark Begovich

Professional Theatre Rep. - Tracy Nunnally

Community Theatre Rep. - Alka Sharma

College/University Rep. - Richard Arnold

Secondary School Rep. - Deena Cassady

Creative Drama Rep. - David Downing

 

Positions still opened: 

TYA Representative 

Professional Theatre Representative

If interested in being placed on the slate, contact Carmel DeStefano at president@illinoistheatre.org.

 

 

ITA EVENTS - DON'T MISS OUT!


 


How have YOU done theatre in spite of a pandemic?

For this year's virtual gala on Saturday, September 25, instead of our traditional awards ceremony we want to celebrate ALL OF YOU, our membership and others, who have created theatre in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic. To that end, we would like you to submit stories, pictures, videos, audio testimonials about how you created art in a world that was shut down for 16 months! We also want to know what your plans are for the future! Please follow the link below to submit your materials by Friday, August 27! Please limit your video/audio to one minute or less.
  .Submit Your Materials Here!   


46th ANNUAL

ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL
January 7-8, 2022

Illinois State University

Check the IHSTF website for more updates and information.

.Visit our website!.

 


 


ITA LISTENED & HERE IS WHAT YOU SAID!

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Culture (DEI & C) Committee of the Illinois Theatre Association held a series of listening sessions with members who volunteered to participate. Before the series of three sessions were held, the Committee sent a survey to all members about their feelings of diversity, equity, inclusion, and culture within the ITA. From these three listening sessions, we learned that:

  • Email communication from the ITA in general can be overwhelming.
  • Our members sometimes don’t fully understand the mission of the ITA and are not always feeling informed about who is in leadership.
  • Members feel there is sometimes a lack of opportunity to connect across divisions.
  • Sometimes there is confusion between the work we do and other arts organizations across the state.
  • Members would like information sessions so they can learn about ITA and the Board.
  • Past leaders of the ITA would like to stay involved as sounding boards to continue to support the work of the ITA.
  • Those who participated enjoyed learning about the work of the DEI & C committee.
  • We need to rework our website to be more functional and user-friendly.
  • Finances need to be made available for additional training for the Board and all ITA Members.
  • The DEI and C Committee will be taking this information and using it to inform decision making within the committee, plan future sessions and panel series, and report to the Board on ITA member needs beyond the scope of this committee to encourage action and changes to better serve the members.
Thanks to those who completed the survey and participated in our first round of listening sessions.





Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 7pm
Illinois High School Theatre Festival's