When voting this year, the Board of Directors is presenting revisions to the By-Laws that requires a vote by the membership. Use the links to review the current By-Laws and the revisions.
Bryan Blanks
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I have been involved in Peoria Players Theatre since the early 2000's. I would commute back and forth each night from Kewanee, IL to be on stage in the youth summer musical. Right after graduating college, I directed my first show with PPT at only 22 years old, a production of The Wiz. Part of this mission back then and still holds true today, is that I am very passionate about encouraging diversity in Peoria Community Theatre. Since 2008 I have directed 5 mainstage productions at Peoria Players (Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma, Oliver, School of Rock, and Beautiful The Carole King Musical, coming in September). In addition, I have directed numerous fundraiser productions for PPT -- Broadway Backwards 1 and 2 as well as countless Holiday revues. Furthermore, I served as Director at Corn Stock Theatre (Bridges of Madison County, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wiz, and Memphis).
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In addition to directing, I have done props, choreographed, assisted with light design, and assisted with costuming at Peoria Players alone. I have also been onstage in over 40 productions throughout the area (most recently in Kinky Boots as Lola and in Shrek as the Donkey.). I am a recipient of the Peoria Players Golden Mask Award, "given to someone who displayed outstanding service in various areas during the current season." I have also received both a backstage and onstage Normie for my work at Peoria Players Theatre.
Looking at my board experience, I served as a board member for Corn Stock Theatre, where I served as Nominating and Social Chairman. I was also elected as the first Youth Board President for Peoria Players Theatre in 2008. Furthermore, I served for five years on the GMB Arts in Education Foundation and am a committee member of the Big Picture Arts Initiative. I have also served on the Nominating, Marketing and Play Selection committees at Peoria Players Theatre.
By day, I work at Pleasant Valley as the District Theatre Director and am the Assistant Director for The Peoria Area Performing Arts School. My full-time and part-time jobs are dedicated to providing quality theatre arts education for a diverse group of students in our area. I then encourage this community of students to continue to learn and spread their wings in the community and beyond. For the last 14 years, I served as the Theatre Program Director for St. Vincent de Paul School. I have also choreographed, directed, assisted and worked backstage for numerous Middle School and High School productions over the years, encouraging these students to get involved in Peoria Community Theatre. Prior to working full-time in educational theatre, I worked for the Regional Office of Education and Illinois Central College as an Educational Youth Programs Coordinator.
As a board member, I will continue to promote diversity in the Peoria Players Community. I will also be dedicated to helping continue the positive momentum of keeping Peoria Players a space our community can be proud of. I also value the social aspect of Community Theatre. Events that promote comradery among our members, season ticket holders and board members are something I truly treasure and would like to help build upon. I also note, there is such value in Play Selection and finding the balance of challenging ourselves creatively, but also thinking from a business stand-point. As a "Community" Theatre we are tasked with providing the Peoria area with shows they have the desire to see, but we must also strive to widen their breadth of knowledge and experience of theatre and the types of stories they embrace. I would like to thank you for your consideration of voting for me as a board member for a theatre that has become a second home to me over the years.
Jack Clifford
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I joined Peoria Players in 2017, have served on the board for the last 3 years, and have been the Board President for the past year. During his time on the board I have been very active behind the scenes as the chair for set construction, underwriting, and advertising/marketing focusing on the website and Facebook bios. This past year has been a huge undertaking in my role as President as I could see the current state of Peoria Players and its potential to improve and excel in a variety of areas. I have made it my mission, with the support of the board and members, to make the necessary changes required to take this theatre to the next level. In my first year as Board President, I have:
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In the future, I would like to propose the following projects:
My passion and commitment to the theatre is visible to everyone who works with me. I would like to be re-elected to the board so that I can continue the progress that I and my predecessors have started.
- Expand theatre spaces such as the lobby, bathrooms, offices, classrooms, rehearsal space, and storage
- Create and implement a policy manual
- Renovate the fly system/backstage
- Upgrade the sound/AV
- Streamline and document processes within the theatre for longevity and uniformity
My passion and commitment to the theatre is visible to everyone who works with me. I would like to be re-elected to the board so that I can continue the progress that I and my predecessors have started.
Kriss Ricketts Cochran
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Hello, my name is Kriss Cochran and I am running for the Peoria Players Theatre Board. I was raised in Peoria and after a few pit stops in other cities I have made my home in Peoria. I have been married to my husband Jim for 23 years and love being a stage mom to Candy who shines being on stage. I first enjoyed being on Peoria Players Theatre stage as a young 10 year old playing an Oompa Loompa in the smashing success of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Since then I’ve enjoyed watching from the house as a Season Ticket holder and helping create the director’s vision on stage through the Hair & Makeup. Since my mid 20’s I have volunteered many hours backstage. Some of my most recent shows are Million Dollar Quartet, Guys & Dolls, The SpongeBob Musical, Mamma Mia and Gypsy. I have a love and passion for theatre. Peoria needs to keep the arts alive and thriving. Having run my own business for 20 years I believe the key to making sure Peoria Players is an important part of our art community for the future is to balance the love of art with smart business practices.
I would be honored to support Peoria Players Theatre as a Board Member. |
Janine Crim
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My name is Janine (Jan) Crim, and I am running for the Board of Directors for Peoria Players Theatre. My name will appear on your spring election ballot, and I would truly appreciate your vote.
I was born and raised in the Peoria area and, after living in North Carolina for five years, I currently reside in Peoria Heights with my husband Lari and our sweet dog, Nala. We are celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary this year and are blessed with our son, Calen and his wife, Kate who live in Morton. I am a graduate of Western Illinois University with a BS in Elementary Education and am in my 30th year of teaching. I have been a teacher with St. Thomas School in Peoria Heights for the past 20 years and am currently teaching 3rd grade. I am also the choreographer for our school musicals. |
Dancing has always been a passion of mine, and in 1990, I performed in Showstoppers ‘90 here at Peoria Players Theatre. This was my first experience with Peoria Players, and I was hooked! From there, I performed in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Sweet Charity, White Christmas, and Ragtime just to name a few. I took some time off to raise our son but always supported the theater by attending shows. When the time was right, I came back to the stage both here and in Wilmington, NC. We have been back in the Peoria area for about 3 years now, and I have enjoyed dancing in Sweet Charity (again) as well as Mamma Mia and currently The Wedding Singer.
Peoria Players has always been such a big part of my life and has brought me so many wonderful memories. I would like to give back to the community that has brought me so much joy over the years. By being on the Board of Directors, I can bring my experience, my teamwork and positive attitude to help Peoria Players continue to grow and flourish for many years to come.
I look forward to being a part of Peoria Players in a new way and would appreciate your vote this spring.
Peoria Players has always been such a big part of my life and has brought me so many wonderful memories. I would like to give back to the community that has brought me so much joy over the years. By being on the Board of Directors, I can bring my experience, my teamwork and positive attitude to help Peoria Players continue to grow and flourish for many years to come.
I look forward to being a part of Peoria Players in a new way and would appreciate your vote this spring.
BRIAN HAAS
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I have been involved with Peoria Players since 2014 when I was in my first show, Shrek the Musical. It was my first community theatre experience and from then on I was hooked. I loved being involved in any way possible. I have helped build sets, assistant directed, ran spot light, helped on run crew, and even did my Senior Capstone for Bradley University on Peoria Players. This is a theatre that has given me so many amazing experiences over the years, which is why I am running for the Board of Directors; to help continue the amazing experiences for years to come.
After graduating from Bradley in 2017, I went on to work in professional theatre up until I moved back to Peoria at the beginning of 2023. In those six years, I have worked in casting at The Telsey Group in Los Angeles, I was part of the Company Management department at Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine for two seasons, I worked in Marketing at MCC Theatre and in the Artistic office of Manhattan Theatre Club in New York, and most recently, for the past 3 and a half years, I was the Associate Producer in the Broadway producing office of Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman where I worked on several productions including: Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations, Spring Awakening: 15th Anniversary Reunion Concert, Chess In Concert, and others. |
Being on the Board of Directors for Peoria Players Theatre would allow me the opportunity to continue to give back and have a great impact on a theatre and community of people that I love. Theatre is something that is ever-changing and being able to stay ahead of the times and push theatre forward, not only allows the organization to succeed, but it also pushes the community to be stronger and work together for something that is so much bigger than one show. Using my years of experience in the professional theatre industry, I am confident I can have a positive impact on the future of Peoria Players to continue to help the organization and community rise to the greater standards we all know this theatre lives up to. Please do not hesitate to reach out to discuss my candidacy and goals further.
BILL MURPHY
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I was raised on a farm outside of Delavan, IL (about 35 miles south of Peoria). I graduated from the University of Illinois with an Engineering degree, then spent 2 years in the U.S. Army. I was stationed in southeast Virginia, and while there met the woman who is now my wife of 49 years. We have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren aged 7 to 15. After the service, I worked for two companies in Virginia, and then got hired by Caterpillar, Inc. I retired from there in 2010 with 30 ½ years of service. At my retirement, I was a Senior Technical Specialist in the Information Technology Department. I was a team leader for seven staff members and had been a project team member on several high-exposure, high cost projects. I was the acknowledged expert within CAT in my fields of IT expertise.
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I began my experience with theater in 1979 with Caterpillar Mixed Chorus. My first exposure to Peoria Players Theatre was in 1991, when I was in the cast of “… Forum”. Since 1979, I have participated in over 70 different performances for Caterpillar, PPT, Corn Stock, Eastlight, and the Scottish Rite. I have been an actor, singer, props person, stage hand, and stage manager (but I have never been called a dancer). I have been on the board for Cat Chorus 5 different times, serving 3 years as their president. I have also been previously on the PPT board, from 2009 to 2014, serving as secretary for 2 of those years. I have most recently served as a box-office volunteer for 4 years, where I learned the new ShoWare ticketing system.
I have seen the theatre from most every perspective, from a performer, from back-stage, and most recently from working with our customers to satisfy ticketing and other requests.
I feel that my business background working with budgets, deadlines, and staffing will bring an expertise to the board that may be beneficial. My theater background of over 40 years of experience makes me versed in that aspect of our business as well. I look forward to assisting PPT in the coming years and to face the challenges that new technologies give us.
I have seen the theatre from most every perspective, from a performer, from back-stage, and most recently from working with our customers to satisfy ticketing and other requests.
I feel that my business background working with budgets, deadlines, and staffing will bring an expertise to the board that may be beneficial. My theater background of over 40 years of experience makes me versed in that aspect of our business as well. I look forward to assisting PPT in the coming years and to face the challenges that new technologies give us.
Ryan Murphy
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Hello! My name is Ryan Murphy. I grew up in the small town of Eureka. Growing up in a small community, I never really felt like I completely fit in. I was somehow different than most of my peers. I was not an athlete, an honor role student, or member of student council. I loved musical theatre, dance, and singing. I remember renting VHS recordings of musicals from the library and imagining what it would be like to perform in a show. Little did I know, it would happen someday. My parents supported my interests by providing me with lessons I needed to gain a fundamental knowledge of the performing arts. It became my passion. When I was sixteen years old, my mom was put in contact with Connie Sinn who was the director of the Community Children's Theatre production of The Sound of Music. I had my very first audition and was cast as Rolf in the show. There began my journey into the magical world of Community Theatre. More specifically, Peoria Players Theatre. Thirty years later, I am still performing on that same stage. Peoria Players Theatre gave this small town kid the opportunity to be who he really was. A place where he finally fit in. Being surrounded with other likeminded people became a safe place for me to be myself, express my creativity, and utilize that creativity and my talents to entertain people and be a part of a whole new community that I didn't know existed outside of my small hometown.
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Over the past thirty years, I have served in many different facets of the theatre. Not just on stage, but behind the scenes as well. I spent years as a Thursday Box Office volunteer. As a 23 year veteran hair stylist, I have also spent many years in the green room creating, crafting, and styling wigs for shows. Many shows I have done double duty. Performing in the show and styling hair at the same time. I have also shared my art of theatrical makeup. One of my favorite shows I worked on behind the scenes was doing makeup and wigs for CATS. In 2022 I was asked to join the Strategic Planning Committee. That has been such a great opportunity for me to see where I can help and utilize my own resources for the better of the theatre. I am also a small business owner. In my work life I can be found behind the chair as owner and stylist of R. Murphy Studio in North Peoria. Doing hair for the past 23 years has also been my passion. I can truly say that I don't feel like I work. I feel like I go into my Studio every day to hang out with my friends sitting in my chair, socialize, and play all day. It has been a very rewarding career for me. I have learned so much about people through my career path. I genuinely love people.
I would love to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for Peoria Players Theatre. I feel like being a veteran of the theatre has given me a lot of insight into the way the theatre runs. It has been exciting to see so many new changes to procedures, while also moving forward with new technology of the last few years. I feel like as a business owner I have a lot of fresh insight into the business aspect of our theatre. With our society changing so rapidly, I feel like we should continue to be proactive and move forward to stay relevant. Peoria Players Theatre holds a very special place in my heart. It was there that I have made and maintained thirty year long friendships. Every show that I have been involved in has expanded that circle of friends time and time again. Now as a father of four small children, my hope is that my children get to experience that outlet, that safe space, and that feeling of pride that Peoria Players Theatre has given to me.
I would love to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for Peoria Players Theatre. I feel like being a veteran of the theatre has given me a lot of insight into the way the theatre runs. It has been exciting to see so many new changes to procedures, while also moving forward with new technology of the last few years. I feel like as a business owner I have a lot of fresh insight into the business aspect of our theatre. With our society changing so rapidly, I feel like we should continue to be proactive and move forward to stay relevant. Peoria Players Theatre holds a very special place in my heart. It was there that I have made and maintained thirty year long friendships. Every show that I have been involved in has expanded that circle of friends time and time again. Now as a father of four small children, my hope is that my children get to experience that outlet, that safe space, and that feeling of pride that Peoria Players Theatre has given to me.
Travis Olson
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I manage the Performing Arts Center at ICC. With a willing and dedicated team, I have directed over 8 mainstage shows including The SpongeBob Musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Addams Family. I have designed and built sets for over 200 productions regionally -- no stranger to the theater. For the last three decades, I have worked with local high school drama departments reinforcing the need to cultivate youth in our theater. Previously, on the PPT Board of Directors and served as Treasurer for one year; this would make it my second consecutive term. I believe that building working relationships with other organizations will only make our quest easier in the long run and increase production values overall.
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Erika PocH
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I have been involved with Peoria Players for over three decades. My first show was Sweet Charity and I fell in love with this magic stage leading to some wonderful friendships. I have helped raise over $20K in the last five years for assistance to assorted shows, and have spearheaded the underwriting committee. I am determined to help traditions as well as new ideas to help Players move well into the future. I have been on our stage, and more often backstage, in a handful of musicals. I most recently directed at the LAB. Vivacious drive and great backstage relationships can help with the teamwork required of the board. I would be so grateful for the consideration and trust of your vote.
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