eFollowspot

June, 2022 Edition
IN THIS EDITION:

• "Gimme a Break..." A letter from the Executive Director of the 20223 Illinois High School Theatre Festival

• Tony Awards 2022: "Strange Loop" and "Lehman Trilogy" Take Top Honors

• Looking Forward at COVID Protocols

• All Roles are Equal

• Please Stop Looking Down on Community Theatre

• Best Practices for Inclusive Casting

• Someone You Should Know: Jimmy Chrismon

• ITA's Corporate Sponsors
Gimme a Break..l

Dear Theatre Community,

Today is going to be a good day and here’s why. Because today…today at least you’re you and that’s enough.

What a whirlwind of a year it has been so far. Gas on the rise…world conflicts…and the looming of the dreaded C-word--Covid. But this is also a time to step away after the closing of your show before you begin the next. Some educators are on summer break or at least see it on the horizon. Some of us are between shows. These breaks are a time to step away.

Step away from the stage.

Mental health and self-care are more important than ever. As I look back on some other wonderful articles that have been written for the eFollowspot, one stands out, written by a dear friend Annaliisa Ahlman, who wrote about self-care a few years back. I must echo these wise words as we look forward to the summer months.

We all know we need to take care of ourselves. But words are hollow unless we actually do it. Take a 20-minute walk in the fresh air. Play with your dog or cat for a while. Read that book that you’ve been dying to read but never made the time. Take an adventure challenge. Hang with your friends or family. Meditate or try yoga. As a person who is, let’s just say not flexible or athletic at all, I say yoga is the way to go. It is fun and gives a great workout. And we know from Legally Blonde 2 that exercise releases endorphins. If nothing else, give a friend a call and have a good ol’ fashioned game night. I hear the game Tapple is all the rage on Tik Tok, or tock tick as I call it.

After you take a moment to refresh your creativity, you will be so happy you did. There’s a big bright beautiful world awaiting us. Schedule joy into your life. When we take that first step back in the theatre, take a deep breath and enjoy that singular moment. A clear and well-rested mind will help to make some of the best creative decisions you have ever had. We all know the theatre is a joyful world of wonder…but it takes hard work and dedication to create this experience. You will enjoy the ride so much more after a well-deserved and much-needed break.

As I leave you, I am taking my own advice. I have deleted Facebook, Twitter, and more for a much-needed digital detox and headed for a fun video series with my friend, Gina. I challenge you to take the time to do something for yourself… Enjoy the view…After all, this is your story.

And as we are in the midst of June we shout from the rooftops…”HAPPY PRIDE!”

-Ryan Lambert
2023 Executive Director of the Illinois High School Theatre Festival
Tony Awards 2022: "Strange Loop" and "Lehman Trilogy" Take Top Honors
by Peter Marks of the Washington Post
Submitted by Nathan King
ITA Director of Communication

The Pulitzer Prize-winning “A Strange Loop” was named best musical at the 75th Tony Awards on Sunday night, while “The Lehman Trilogy,” an epic-length account by Stefano Massini and Ben Power of the rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers investment house, won the Tony for best play.
Looking Forward at COVID Protocols
by USITT Technical Production Commission
Submitted by Steven House
College Theatre Division Representative

We have made it through our second year of teaching theatre under COVID. We had masks, zoom theatre, and socially-distanced blocking, and I am starting to be convinced that there will be students who graduate whose faces I will never have seen outside of zoom. Currently, I am in Santa Fe working for my first of three companies this summer. I will have a great view of different companies and their protocols. But numbers are unfortunately going back up with my local middle school not having enough teachers to finish the year due to positive cases. Now that the school year has ended, this is a great time to reevaluate our Covid protocols. Here is the link to USITT’s website with COVID resources and guides from the professionals: Equity, NEA, OSHA, IATSE, and the CDC. Once we have had a chance to breathe after this arduous school year, let's also look ahead to how we can keep our students and ourselves safe.
All Roles are Equal
by Sarah Cagle, Student Columnist for OnStage Blog
Submitted by David Downing
ITA Theatre for Young Audiences/Creative Drama Division Representative

We've all faced the crying student, upset because the role they received is too small. In the following article, Sarah Cagle provides perspective to potential performers. I have started to include this in audition packets! Enjoy!

Please Stop Looking Down on Community Theatre
by Timothy Fitzgerald of Onstage Blog
Submitted by Kathy Missel
ITA Executive Secretary

Never underestimate the power and importance of community theatre. Find out how these local productions put on by volunteers enrich our lives in ways we may not have realized. Check out what’s playing near you, attend a show and support local community theatre.
Best Practices for Inclusive Casting
by Advancing Arts Forward & Viviana Vargas, of TheatreArtLife
Submitted by Nathaniel Haywood
ITA Secondary School Theatre Division Representative

Summer is a time for relaxation and recharging - especially after the hardships of this year. But as theatre educators, we know that it's also a time for reflection. We look back at what we have done and evaluate what we want to change and improve for the following year. This may take the form of instructional changes in the classroom or extracurricular adjustments on and around the stage. So as we all look for next year's shows, it's important to think about our students and how we're casting them.

This article walks you through the casting process with an eye for inclusivity from the very first steps with the script all the way through to the start of rehearsals. We all want to make sure our theatre is for all students, and this article can help you ensure that you're doing everything you can for every student in your program.
Someone You Should Know: Jimmy Chrismon
by Mark Begovich, Illinois Theatre Association Director of Membership

Many ITA Members know the importance of Illinois State University and the Theatre Education Department. Yet, some may not know their vital asset- Jimmy Chrismon. Jimmy is an amazing educator who currently serves as the ISU Representative to the Illinois High School Theatre Festival.
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