Illinois Theatre Association - Board of Directors

Board of Directors

If you are interested in learning more about serving as a member of the Board, or would like to be considered for a future nomination, please read the "Board Job Descriptions" and "Expectations of an ITA Board Member" to the bottom left, and fill out a Board Interest Form.

President
Carmel DeStefano
expires 2024

“Carm” was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY and moved to Chicago after graduating from SUNY College at Buffalo to attend the Goodman school of Drama. She fell into teaching theatre at the high school level by doing a favor for one of her professors and stayed with it for over thirty years, first at the Academy of the Sacred Heart and later at Reavis High School. During her early years as the Head Drama Coach at Reavis, she was able to expand the drama students ’ theatrical experiences through a variety of productions, competitions, theatre festivals, workshops, professional performances, and leadership training. Although drama was only an extra-curricular, Reavis students did it all. While teaching, her involvement with the ITA was primarily as a committee member for the IHSTF where she served in many capacities, including promotions, auditions, workshops, as All-State director and Executive Director of Festival 2016. After retiring from teaching, Carm has served on the ITA Board of Directors as Second Vice-president, President-elect, and President.

First Vice President
Mark Begovich
expires 2023

Mark Begovich is a lifetime member of the organization. He is the Drama Director and Teacher at West Chicago Community High School. He has been a dedicated volunteer and champion of the ITA for over 20 years. He is excited to help the ITA grow and move forward as we come through the Covid-19 crisis. Mark firmly believes that the ITA is a vital necessity for all Illinois Theatre Artists.

Second Vice President
Matthew Johnson

expires 2024

Matthew started his love for theatre back in High School working as a tech person. After High school he attended Joliet Jr College and UW -Stout for Hotel Restaurant Management / Culinary Arts. While at Stout he worked on many of the shows and in 1985 Matthew found himself working for the Aspen Music Festival in Aspen Colorado. Matthew has been involved with Fox Country Players, Tri County Players, Indian Valley Theatre and Morris Theatre Guild. When Matthew is not doing theatre, he enjoys Civil War History, Family genealogy and reading. Mathew is married to Christine and they have two wonderful fur puppies.

Secretary
Kathy Missel
expires 2023

Kathy resides in Streator and enjoys serving the Illinois Theatre Association as the board of directors secretary. She previously served the ITA as a community theatre division representative. After retiring as the general manager of WCMY/WRKS Radio in Ottawa, Illinois at the end of 2019, Kathy was ready to participate in and see more theatre - that is, before COVID turned our arts world upside down. After her theatre plans were dashed in 2020, 2021 found her participating in four shows and directing another, as well as being a happy audience member whenever and wherever possible. Kathy is active in a number of theatre groups in the central Illinois area and currently serves on the board of directors for Festival 56 in Princeton, Illinois. A proponent of strategic planning for community theatres, Kathy has presented workshops on strategic planning at the ITA's bi-annual community theatre festival and has facilitated strategic planning sessions for numerous Illinois theatres, including the ITA board.

Treasurer
Dennis Anastasopoulos
expires 2024

Dennis graduated from Saint Xavier University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Education from Olivet Nazarene University as well as in Theatre Directing from Roosevelt University. He recently concluded his 19th year of teaching and has spent the last 17 years of his career at Reavis High School in Burbank IL. There, he served as the technical director for the first 10 years followed by Head Theatre Coach the last 7 years, working on a number of productions. In addition to his role as treasurer, Dennis has served the IHSTF and the ITA as All-State Liason, Director of Technology (3 years) and Box Office Manager(2years). In 2016, Dennis Anastasopoulos had the extreme honor of directing the All-State production of Rent.