eFollowspot

October, 2020 Edition (REVISED)
IN THIS EDITION:

•Letter from the President

•Who said it: William Shakespeare or Justin Bieber?

•Announcing FREE PLAY: Open Source Scripts Toward an Antiracist Tomorrow

•AACT Covid-19 Response Tool Kit

•A Monologue Should Serve You

•14 Chicago theatre artists share the changes they want to see a more inclusive Chicago theatre

•Disability, Identity and Representation

•Developing Trans Roles for the Theatre

•Racism in the Theatre

•ITA's Corporate Sponsors
LETTER FROM THE ITA PRESIDENT

The previous e-Followspot contained an error with the incorrect times for our upcoming event (from Zoom to Classroom). The changes have been made below. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Dear ITA Family,

It is an honor to be the President of the Illinois Theatre Association for the next two years. When I decided to pursue this position, I never dreamed of the unprecedented existence in which we find ourselves. With a global pandemic, our country is in turmoil as the Covid-19 virus has laid bare the personal and systemic inequities plaguing our nation. With all the upheaval, the prospect of leading a theatre organization is quite scary.

Although this is an uncertain time, I find my fear intertwined with feelings of enthusiasm and hope. Who better to find ways to adapt and create art than theatre people! As our theaters are dark, we moved our productions, workshops, and meetings online. Live connections have become virtual, no more hugs, but still connecting. These avenues of contact have been embraced by the ITA as we strive to reach out to our membership and the greater Illinois theatre community.

It is truly exciting to observe the different board divisions create outreach programs. The first of such projects was presented on October 18th as the Secondary Division’s IHSTF Board presented a virtual production of The Laramie Project involving 33 high school teachers. It was a moving theatre experience for both performers and audience members. Although the 2021 Theatre Fest had to be canceled, many of the performances, workshops, and auditions are still being developed and made available to our student audience. In addition to the events for high school students, the Creative Drama and Theatre for Young Audiences Divisions are presenting a series of educator focused workshops entitled, “Ride the Wave Smoothly from Zoom to Classroom” on November 7th from 9:00 am-1:15 pm. Also the Professional Division is creating the “Wednesday Master Class Series.” These are just a few of the projects the association has initiated.

While our division reps are busy creating, our board committees are also hard at work. The most dynamic new committee created in response to the Black Lives Matter Movement is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. This group worked tirelessly through the summer and beyond to develop strategies to broaden the scope of our association to include and represent our entire theatre community. Also, the Executive Committee is examining the very structure of the Association to create a more equitable and efficient organization. Please check the ITA website for information on these and future events.

The enthusiasm of our board members to adapt and create has filled me with hope that we will all get through these “dark” times together and emerge stronger and wiser. Please take advantage of our programs, and if you have any ideas for events or want to get involved, don’t hesitate to contact me at president@illinoistheatre.org.

In the words of Al Jolson, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”

Take care and stay safe.

Carmel DeStefano

PS - Don’t forget to VOTE!
Who said it: William Shakespeare or Justin Bieber?
by Sarah Marsh of The Guardian
Submitted by (Elisabeth Westphal)
ITA Creative Drama Division Representative

What do Justin Bieber and Shakespeare have in common? Find out if your students can tell the difference between Justin's lyrics and Shakespeare's writings! This very funny test will challenge your students!
Announcing FREE PLAY: Open Source Scripts Toward an Antiracist Tomorrow
from TYA Today Magazine
Submitted by Cassandra Quinn
ITA Theatre for Young Audiences Division Representative

Made possible through TYA/USA "Award-winning playwright, poet, and changemaker Idris Goodwin has launched five short plays to spark conversation and serve as a catalyst for action" towards an antiracist tomorrow meant for young audiences and are free-use if used following guidelines.
AACT Covid-19 Response Tool Kit
from the American Association of Community Theatre
Submitted by Don Shandrow
ITA Community Theatre Division Representative

With questions regarding Covid-19 still at the forefront of any Community Theatre through the rest of 2020 and heading into 2021, the concern becomes where do we find the tools necessary for making informed decisions? The Illinois Theatre Association is the state representative for the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). In that role, one of our tasks has been holding the biennial state community theatre festival. In these times, as a member of this national organization of community theatres, the ITA feels it is necessary to point our member community theatres to a tool kit of resources that AACT has assembled. Some of these tools require membership in AACT; however, the critical resources are available to anyone involved in community theater. Following is a link that will take you to resources that include Covid-19 safety, non-profit resources, streaming rights, streaming ideas, etc. This link leads to an abundance of useful information and assistance that the ITA wants to ensure our community theatres members can access.
A Monologue Should Serve You
Selecting a piece that showcases your best qualities
by Cristina Duarte
Submitted by Patrick Spreadbury
ITA Secondary School Theatre Division Representative

With all of the uncertainty about when live audiences can resume and how actors can safely perform together, it might be worth revisiting monologues. In an article published in August, 2020, Christina Duarte explores how ‘A Monologue Should Serve You.’ The article encourages, "The idea is to find a monologue that serves you, your personality, and your talents.”  
14 Chicago theatre artists share the changes they want to see a more inclusive Chicago theatre
by Hannah Herrera Greenspan of The Chicago Tribune
Submitted by Gaby Labotka
ITA Professional Theatre Division Representative

While we are experiencing this extended "Intermission" in the professional theatre world, local theatre makers reflect on changes we could be making and working on during this time so that when our work returns, the companies that produce it will be prepared to create work that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive.
Disability, Identity and Representation
by Andrea Kovich of Howlround Theatre Commons
Submitted by Gaby Labotka
ITA Professional Theatre Division Representative

Although the previous article highlights interviews of people from a variety of perspectives, most notably absent are the perspectives of artists with disabilities. I invite my fellow ITA members to reflect on this exclusion and how we can continue to investigate and challenge our biases and how they are reflected in our work. To supplement, I am sharing this 2019 Howlround Theatre Commons essay by Andrea Kovich entitled Disability, Identity and Representation.
Developing Trans Roles for the Theatre
by Regina Victor of American Theatre Magazine
Submitted by Gaby Labotka
ITA Professional Theatre Division Representative

Transgender representation in theatre and media at large is slowly but noticeably increasing. As we appear on more stages and TV screens, trans performers are often being asked to develop characters, originate characters, or reimagine existing roles.
Racism in the Theatre
by Taylor Leigh Lamb from Theatre & Design Technology Magazine
Submitted by Rick Arnold
ITA College Theatre Division Representative

For some time, Black theatre artists have fought prejudice and helped ensure diversity and inclusion in the theatre ranks. Now it’s time for white theatre professionals to join the fight. We’re living in unprecedented times. Things that we were told were impossible are entirely possible and happening before our eyes. No, I don’t mean the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m referring to the fact that America is dealing with its racism.
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