Name/Title:
Carmel DeStefano, Board President
Organization:
Illinois Theatre Association
Mission:
The Illinois Theatre Association is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to advocate for the important values that theatre at all levels in the state of Illinois bring to individuals as we work to expand hearts and minds through work both on the stage and off. Our work includes the important mission to inspire, engage, challenge, nurture, educate and empower artists and audiences to enhance the cultural landscape of Illinois, making our state a more conscious and compassionate community. Ultimately, we look to celebrate the essential power of the theatre to illuminate our common humanity.
Vision Statement:
As an organization devoted to the advocacy of theatre in the state of Illinois, we believe that embracing differences is essential for our theatres to not only survive but thrive. The ITA strives to be an energizing force for collaboration and advocacy in the theatre community. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our organization.
How long in the nonprofit industry?
The Illinois theatre Association had its first meeting in May of 1972 and was incorporated the following year.
My personal involvement in the ITA was when I joined the Illinois High School Theatre Festival Planning Committee in 1995. Through the years, I’ve held many positions on the committee: Director of Promotion, Auditions, and Workshops, as well as All-State Director in 1998 and Executive Director in 2016. After retiring from teaching, I ran for Second Vice-president of the ITA Board. In 2020, I was elected Board President.
Describe a time when, as the leader of your nonprofit, you had to overcome what seemed like an impossible challenge, and how did you guide the organization through it?
When the pandemic struck, the theatre industry came to a standstill. Professional, community and educational theaters went dark, actors and technicians were out of work, and the Illinois Theatre Association struggled to survive with the cancellation of their major events. This was the reality I faced as I assumed the role of board president. As the professional auditions, community theatre festival, and the high school festival were canceled, I had to find ways to reach out to our members despite the isolation COVID-19 had created. As I brought this problem to the rest of the board, their response was overwhelmingly positive. It’s wonderful to work with creative people. During the pandemic the ITA sponsored more events than in previous years. Virtually we presented a series of professional webinars, two creative drama conferences, panel discussions representing all theatre divisions, performances featuring high school drama teachers, roundtables and workshops. The events didn’t make the association much money but did keep the mission alive.
What resources do you turn to when you need help within your nonprofit?
Whether involved in educational theatre or as a director of the ITA, I’ve always looked to the other members of the theatre community for assistance. Many of our corporate sponsors are willing to contribute supplies and/or services to assist in our many theatrical events. The theatre community is a big family, constantly helping each other to create art.
What is your personal mantra?
“Don’t ask more of anyone else than you would ask of yourself.”
