Illinois Theatre Association upcoming events

Let's Talk Adjudication! Understanding Festival Competition Expectations Q&A Session (07/18/2026)

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

The Art of Adjudication: Understanding Festival Expectations

Curious about how festival productions are evaluated? Wondering what adjudicators are looking for and how the adjudication process supports artistic growth?

Join the Illinois Theatre Association Community Theatre Division for an engaging educational session exploring the art of festival adjudication. Learn how adjudicators evaluate productions, the purpose behind the feedback process, and how constructive adjudication helps theatres grow while preparing for festival participation.

Whether you're planning to participate in the 2026 Illinois Community Theatre Fest: Come Together, serving on a production team, or simply interested in gaining a better understanding of the adjudication process, this session will provide valuable insight into what to expect and how to make the most of the festival experience.

Come discover how thoughtful adjudication celebrates artistic achievement, encourages continuous learning, and strengthens community theatre throughout Illinois.

Bring your questions. Gain new perspective. Discover the art of adjudication.

Click Here to Register for this Virtual Event

Next to Normal: Engle Lane Community Theatre (08/06/2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Engle Lane Community Theatre presents: Next to Normal!

Next to Normal is a moving rock musical about a family navigating mental illness, grief, and the search for hope and healing.

August 6th at 7:30pm August 7th at 7:30pm August 8th at 2:00pm August 9th at 2:00pm

Tickets are $22 and can be purchased at http://www.englelane.org or by contacting the box office boxoffice@englelane.org

815-672-3584.

ITA 2026 Come Together Community Theatre Festival (11/07/2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Come Together: The Heartbeat of Community Theatre in Illinois

There is something uniquely powerful about community theatre. It’s more than a stage and it’s more than lights and lines. It’s a gathering place. It’s where strangers become castmates, where castmates become friends and friends become family. This year’s theme for Illinois’ bi-annual community theatre festival, Come Together, beautifully captures the essence of what community theatre has always been, and continues to be, across Illinois.

In towns big and small across our state, community theatres serve as creative homes. They welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels. That spirit of inclusion is what makes community theatre so special. It doesn’t just invite participation; it depends on it.

Come Together celebrates the collaborative art that is the essence of community theatre. Your theatre can participate in our biannual play competition with a chance to represent our state and our region at the American Association of Community Theatre’s AACTFest in June of 2027. You’ll be able to network with other theatre makers and celebrate the very essence of community theatre.

Come Together will be Nov. 7th and 8th at Morton College (time TBD).

For more information contact communitytheatre@illinoistheatre.org.