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.

Judy Klingner retired from 34 years of teaching, directing, and choreographing from William Fremd High School in 2019. She currently freelances as the Musical Director at Palatine High School and as the Spring Play Director at Maine West High School. Judy is a lifetime member of the Illinois Theatre Association, serving on the ITA Board of Directors for fifteen years. She has been an Associate Director for the IHSTF Planning Committee in several capacities and was the Executive Director in 2021 and 2022. She was part of the production staff for the All-State Show 5 times: Director 2010, Choreographer 2002, and Associate Producer for Auditions and Casting 2012, 2009, and 2008. Judy was the 2022 Ann Thurman Mentorship Award winner. In 2019, she received an award for her Extraordinary Contributions to the Illinois High School Theatre Festival. 

Kevin Holly has been working behind the scenes and in the booth for 37 years. For the last 28 years he has been employed as the Technical Theatre Coordinator at Libertyville High School with previous stints at Elk Grove High School as well as in New York City at the Riverdale Country School. He worked as the Technical Director/Lighting Designer for the All-State productions of Macbeth, Pippin and In The Heights and has presented many lighting workshops at the Festival over the years. Upon his election to the school board of the Mundelein Elementary School District, he served his community for 14 years including four years as President. He is excited to begin this journey on the Board of the ITA. And he is a Junior this year!

Wes Skym currently works as a Drama Teacher/Director and Speech Team Coach in Arlington Heights, where his school has earned the national distinction of Premier Community for Theatre Education by the Educational Theatre Association. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Instructor of Communication Arts at the College of Lake County. He holds a BS in Theatre Education from ISU, an MA in Communication, Media and Theatre from NEIU, and is pursuing an EdD in Educational Administration and Leadership at UIUC. On top of teaching, Wes serves as a building union representative, is a member of the IESA Speech Advisory Committee, judges high school speech tournaments, and has experience in directing, acting, voiceover, puppetry, and all aspects of theatrical design. He has presented workshops at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival for years and developed a model for middle school theatre festivals hosted by high schools through ITA, with the first flagship event hosted at Prospect High School in March of 2025. Growing up as a theatre kid since middle school, Wes is determined to work to further theatre opportunities for the youth level and spread awareness of the benefits of participating in theatre at a young age.

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.

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.

Kathy resides in Streator and enjoys serving on the Illinois Theatre Association board. She previously served the ITA as a community theatre division representative. After retiring as the general manager of WCMY/WRKX 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 a number of theatre groups in the central Illinois area and currently serves on the board of Engle Lane Theatre in Streator and as a member of the artistic production committee for Festival 56 in Princeton. A proponent of strategic planning for community theatres, Kathy has presented workshops on strategic planning at the ITA’s bi-annual community theatre festival. In addition she has facilitated strategic planning sessions for numerous Illinois theatres, including the ITA board.

Lauren Wells-Mann is an actor, director, dancer, choreographer and arts educator. Currently, she serves as Director of Arts in Education and Community Engagement at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University.  Additionally, as a proud company member with MPAACT (Ma'at Production Company of African Centered Theatre), she has had the pleasure of directing countless productions.  Mrs. Wells-Mann holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theater/Acting (Columbia College Chicago) and a Masters in Secondary Education (Univ. of Phoenix).  She has also performed with companies such as Lookingglass, Black Ensemble, MPAACT, Harlem Theater Company, Healthworks Theater Company, and Victory Gardens to name a few.  Additionally, Mrs. Wells-Mann coached competitive acting and speech events for the Illinois High School Association for over 20 years.  Under her direction, students have won numerous state and national championships in various acting and public speaking activities. Prior to coming to Governors State University, she served as the Theatre Department Head at The Chicago High School for the Arts.  Lauren Wells-Mann believes in the transformative power of the intersection of arts and education and the importance of BIPOC artists having autonomy over their own narratives. It is a mission to which she is deeply committed.