Study Abroad

at the Prague Quadrennial

By: Ashley Bellet, USITT TD&T

Introduction by: Rebel Mickelson,

ITA College/University Representative

The international gathering of the best for performance, design, scenography and theatre architecture for all stages of artists is known as the Prague Quadrennial or PQ. This conference brings not only activities to be experienced by professional and emerging artists, but everyone who may be interested in the theatre arts making it a sought after gathering for all educators and their students. The challenge is how do we make this possible for our students?

A study abroad class formed around this conference seems like a good option but how to go about it? Ashley Bellet author of The PQ School in the winter of edition of "Theatre Design & Technology," meets with educators who have found a way to make it possible for their students to travel abroad. Bellet writes, “By building a study abroad course around the PQ, they have captured both the history of the city of Prague and the festival’s incredible influx of new ideas and performance.”

For the link to the article, click below

20 years of the Penguin Project

By: Collin Schopp, WCBU.org

Introduction by: Alka Sharma,

ITA Community Theatre Representative

It's been 20 years since the first performance of a theater company for children with developmental disabilities was established in central Illinois. Since then, this program has spread to 57 locations in 25 states.

The saying goes…

“If it plays in Peoria, it will play anywhere!”

Well, it has played in Peoria,

but this is not your typical theatre production

For the link to the article, click below.

Culture Wars of Theatre

By: Elizabeth Blair, Morning Addition, NPR

Introduction by: Ryan Lambert,

ITA Secondary School Representative

Over the past year, we have all seen controversy in our politics, economy, and more. And now, we face it in the theatre. Theatre is a place of expression, openness, and provides a welcoming environment for those who may feel like they have no where else to go, especially in high school. The Theatre is a home where we can find our truth, take flight, and shine brighter together because we must remember that in the theatre, all are welcome.

Even those of us reading this article are thinking, "of course, why am I reading something I already know?" Sadly, schools are facing backlash for show choices, content, and more. What we might fail to realize is that the support is there, from your colleagues, fellow directors from around the state, the Illinois Theatre Association, and professionals on Broadway. We are seen. We are supported. We are theatre. Let us always remember to support each other in all we do. Be kind to one another. Be supportive of other productions. Be a force of nature.

For the link to the article, click below.

Benefit of

ITA Membership

By: Mark Begovich,

ITA First Vice-president

Happy New Year Everyone! ITA is going strong and promises an exciting 2024. Already we have experienced the return of the Illinois High School Theatre Festival to Illinois State University and are looking forward to the return of the Professional Interviews, Auditions, Networking Opportunities (P.I.A.N.O.).  It is incredibly exciting. 

This year we are also looking to expand our membership benefits. We are working to expand our directory and resource sharing, have special events, and increase your ability to use the ITA Social Media Network for the promotion of ITA Members and their programs. Simply, being a member matters.

Being a member means sharing. An interesting perk that happened at this year's Theatre Festival was the sharing of hundreds of scripts and theatre books. Through the donations of members, we put those scripts into students' and teachers’ hands. The picture above is just a sampling of these scripts that were shared. It was simply incredible to see students picking up scripts that they never heard of and adding them to their personal libraries. That is what being an ITA Member is all about- promoting theatre in Illinois. We would like to thank those who helped share scripts. We also invite you to contribute to this, hopefully, annual tradition. If you have donations, please email info@illinoistheatre.org and we will coordinate the donations.

Thank you for being a member

and look for more announcements throughout 2024!

American Alliance for Theatre & Education Hosts 37th Annual National Conference

By: Alexis Pruitt, Executive Director AATE

The American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE), a national nonprofit organization that serves youth theatre education artists, scholars, and educators, will host its 37th Annual National Conference from July 17-20, 2024 in Chicago, IL. 

2024 is the time to be surrounded by the inspiring work of local organizations, artists, and educators from Chicago amid a national dialogue. Through the conference theme of “Rooting Change,”

For the link to the article, click below.

A Standard Response

By: Tracy Nunnally, ITA Professional Theatre Rep.

One of the contributions I make to the entertainment

industry is working with the Entertainment

Services and Technology Association (ESTA), and specifically the Technical Standards Program (TSP). Some in our industry have no idea that there are“standards” which essentially outline the minimum best practices for a given subject matter. Many only find out about these standards when they are well entrenched in the professional entertainment industry, but I submit that we should introduce these extremely useful documents to young people as soon as they begin their

journey into this incredible adventure that we call a job.