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Annual Members' Meeting
During the ITA Meeting, there was a changing of the guard on the Board of Directors. Please, welcome the following new members of the board.
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Judy Klingner
President, ITA Board
| Judy Klingner has retired from 34 years of teaching, directing, and choreographing at William Fremd HS. She currently freelances as the Musical Director at Palatine HS and as the Spring Play Director at Maine West HS. Judy is a lifetime member of the Illinois Theatre Association, serving on the ITA Board of Directors on and off for 17 years. She has been an Associate Director for the IHSTF Planning Committee in several capacities and has been part of the production staff for the All-State Show 5 times: Director 2010, Choreographer 2002, and Producer for Auditions and Casting 2012, 2009, and 2008. She was the 2021 and 2022 Executive Director for the IHSTF. Judy has received Extraordinary Contributions to the Illinois High School Theatre Festival Award, the IHSTF Legacy Award, and the Anne Thurman Mentorship Award. | |
Lisa Gifford
Second Vice-President
| Lisa Gifford was a theatre and studio art major who focused on lighting design and directing when not acting. She has been in education for 16 years and has moved from classroom teaching to building and district administration. She is a huge arts supporter and theatre is her biggest passion. Serving on the board will a great way to give back to others and continue to encourage the growth of the arts. | |
Christina Ordonez
Secretary
| Christina Ordonez has worked at Hoffman Estates High School in District 211 since 2002, starting as an English Teacher and Reading Specialist and moving in 2011 to the role of Technology and Media Department Chair. In addition to her primary positions, she is the Auditorium Manager, Variety Show producer, Fall Play director, Madrigal staging and production director, Musical technical director, and Spring Play assistant director. She is a life-time member of ITA and has served on the IHSTF Planning Committee since 2020. As a new educator coordinator and staff development lead, Christina enjoys mentoring and supporting her colleagues. She finds her passion in removing barriers to educational opportunities for both students and staff. | |
Brandon Wardell
College/University Rep.
| Brandon Wardell (Lighting Designer) teaches lighting design at NIU and is a freelance designer in Chicago. Recent professional credits include: The Lifespan of a Fact, Trouble in Mind, The Writer, Light Falls, Two Trains Running, The Curious. Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, A Number, Men On Boats, Midsummer, Rutherford and Son, and Mosquitoes. brandonwardelldesign.com. | |
Wesley Skym
Creative Drama & Theatre for Young Audiences Rep.
| Wesley Skym currently serves as a Drama Teacher, Director, and Speech Team Coach in Arlington Heights. He holds a BS in Theatre Education from ISU, an MA in Communication, Media and Theatre from NEIU, and will be pursuing an EdD in Educational Administration and Leadership Fall 2024. In addition to teaching, Wes serves on the IESA Speech Advisory Committee, judges high school speech tournaments, and has experience in directing, acting, voiceover, puppetry, and all aspects of theatrical design. | |
Noah Record
Professional Theatre Rep.
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Noah Record is a production professional with a wealth of experience encompassing both technical expertise and managerial roles. Currently serving as an Account Executive at Protolight, he
previously held positions as the founding Production Manager and Technical Director at The Chicago High School for the Arts where he oversaw construction of several performance venues. Shortly after graduating from The DePaul Theater School, Noah joined the team at Lightswitch, working on projects across the country.
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The Illinois Theatre Association Celebrated
Excellence in Theatre!
On August 3rd, the ITA held their Annual Awards Celebration. Meet the recipients of each award.
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The Award of Excellence in College/University Theatre
Kevin Long
Theatre Professor, Harper College
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Kevin Long, Nominated for The 2015 Tony Award® for Excellence in Theatre Educationand Co-Author of the book "Bring on the Bard," is a Professor of Theatre at Harper
College and Educator/Artist at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Of note, Kevin is the recipient of the Motorola Solutions Foundation Endowed Award for Teaching Excellence and the Professor Powell and Larry Moats Extra Five Minutes Faculty Award. Kevin is
nationally recognized for his work with the texts of William Shakespeare.
To read the Award Presentation Speech
by Christina Ordonez, ITA Secretary, click below.
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The Award of Excellence in
Community Theatre
Joseph Ennenbach
Stage 212 in LaSalle
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In 2023 Joseph Ennenbach celebrated 50 years as a member of the board of directors of Stage 212 in La Salle (including nine terms as president). He is also a member of the boards of the Morris Theater Guild, Streator Engle Lane, and Princeton's Festival 56. He has directed twenty plays and musicals and acted at numerous venues, including the roles of Robert in "Proof", Saunders in "Lend Me a Tenor" and the Captain in "Mister Roberts." The retired attorney resides in Peru with his wife Maryann.
To read the Award Presentation Speech
by Kathy Missel, ITA Board Member, click below.
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The Award of Excellence in
Creative Drama &
Theatre for Young Audiences
Children's Theatre of Elgin
Veronica Comings, President
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The Children's Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Company, founded in 1988,
provides youth with opportunities to experience the performing arts. With community support, CTE has grown into a respected institution known for high-quality productions, becoming a beacon for young talent and fostering creativity, teamwork, and confidence.
CTE's dedication to accessible, equitable, and enriching theatre continues to inspire the next generation.
To read the Award Presentation Speech
by Aimee Jazembowski, ITA CD?TYA Rep.
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The Award of Excellence in
Professional Theatre
James Calitri
President Festival 56, Artistic Director
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Jimmy Calitri holds an A.D. in Studio Art & Design, a B.A. in Theater Performance, a B.A. in Art History & Design, and an M.F.A. in Performance in Society from Rhode Island College. He is a former faculty member and theatre director at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Community College of Rhode Island, and the Narragansett Public School System in Rhode Island. He is currently an Associate Professor of Theatre at Providence College and an Artistic Director at Festival 56.
To read the Award Presentation Speech
by Tracy Makransky, Board President of Festival 56
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The Award of Excellence in
Secondary School Theatre
J.R. Willard-Rose
Theatre Educator, Homewood-Flossmoore HS
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J.R.Willard-Rose is theatre educator and director at Homewood-Flossmoor High School for the last 22 years. He has directed over 80 productions at the educational, community and
professional level and has directed twice internationally. In 2006, J.R. was honored at the Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel Awards as "Outstanding Early Career Educator". After serving on many Theatre Festival committees, he was the Executive Director in 2008, and the All-State Director of Memphis in 2013.
To read the Award Presentation Speech
by Suzanne Aldridge, ITA Member
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The Award of Honor
Non-ITA Member
John Collins
Executive Director, Goodman Theatre
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Collins served as a Goodman Theatre leader for 17 years, overseeing numerous
production transfers to Broadway, regional and international venues. He helped open
the Alice Center for Education & Engagement and was key to a strategic planning
process specific to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Anti-racism (IDEAA). Collins
is a past Chairman and current board member of the League of Chicago Theaters, and
a board member of the Chicago Loop Alliance and the League of Resident
Theatres(LORT)
To read the Award Presentation Speech
by Judy Klingner, ITA President 2024-2026
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The Award of Honor
ITA Member
Richard Arnold Jr.
Production Coordinator, College of DuPage
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Richard Arnold is the College Production Coordinator at the College of DuPage. Prior to COD, he spent 15 years teaching at Elmhurst University, serving also as Technical Director and resident designer. Richard spent several years working in many areas of the
entertainment industry, including over 100 theatre credits, 15 years creating corporate events for Williams/Gerard Productions, television production work, and exhibit design.He is a member of USITT and ITA.
To read the Award Presentation Speech
by Steven House, ITA College/University Rep.
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The Anne Thurman Mentorship Award
Patricia Haynes
1950-1974
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Theatre Educator (Retired), Mother McAuley HS
Accepting the Award was her Daughter, Erin Fitzpatrick
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Patricia Haynes served as a high school Theatre teacher and director for 41 years (37 at Mother McAuley In Chicago. She cultivated a love of community theatre working with her mentor Chet Kondratowica at the Tangerine tent summer theatre. When she came to McAuley she realized the school was committed to serving the community so she wrote a proposal to begin a community summer theatre program which she called Thev99th Street Summer Theatre Festival. She ran the program for 37 years.
To read the Award Presentation Speech
by Carmel DeStefano, ITA President, 2020-2024
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The Keynote Speaker
Gene Weygandt
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Gene Weygandt (Keynote Speaker) is an actor. Film: Mea Culpa, The Birdcage,The Babe, Television: Home Improvement, Cybil, Murphy Brown, Chicago Fire, Empire, Chicago Med, Boss, Ellen, Coach, USA High. Broadway: big: The Musical, Wicked, Come From Away Regional: Guys and Dolls, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 42nd Street, Rock of Ages, A Christmas Story, The Light In the Piazza, Lend me A Tenor, Old Jews Telling Jokes, The Music Man, Me And My Girl, Little Shop of Horrors, Working, Annie, Inspecting Carol and others.
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