Board Nominees

BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINEES

JILL BARR

I have been a member of Peoria Players theatre since 1999, previously serving on the board from 2000 – 2006. I have served as chair of the fundraising committee, a member of the 100th anniversary committee and have 3 times been a member of the play selection committee, including serving as the chair for one season. I have twice been awarded the Presidents 110% award (2002 and 2016).
I have contributed to the success of Peoria Players Theatre both on-stage and off-stage, serving primarily off-stage as costume chair for a wide variety of shows including most recently Kinky Boots (2020), Million Dollar Quartet (2019) and Mamma Mia! (2018).

My day job is in sales and marketing with UNFI (United Natural Foods International) as a Bakery Deli consultant, a career that I have held for nearly 40 years. In this position, I am responsible for managing a sales budget of over 20 million dollars annually. I view my job in bakery/deli sales as very similar to selling theatre tickets -- it’s for something fun and non-essential. It’s something people want but don’t necessarily “need.” It takes a lot of marketing experience and savvy to sell something to consumers they don’t “need.”

I am committed to assisting Peoria Players rebound and reopen season 2021 – 2022 stronger than ever.

THERESA BLACK

I began volunteering at PPT in 1997 helping with make-up for Grease. Like for many, the theatre bug bit hard, but not the desire to be in the spotlight. I have spent my time at PPT running around in the shadows. While I originally began in make-up, that quickly turned to stage crew for countless shows, and then transitioned into a love of stage managing. The ability to work shows that allow so many a creative outlet while providing an audience with entertainment is one of the most fulfilling feelings. As my love for theatre continued to grow, I began doing props and served as the PPT Props Co-Chair for several years. I spearheaded the prop room redesign that resulted in the current shelf system being built by myself and Mike Decker. During the past twenty-four years, I have assisted with theatre clean ups, prop storage clean ups and organization, security for Rocky Horror, ticket taking, ushering, house managing, stage managing, tech crew, props crew, make-up crew, props season co-chair, and countless other initiatives.

I will bring a unique perspective as I have worked for several theatres in various capacities. In high school, I served on the stage crews, assistant-directed two shows, and directed a student-led one act. At Millikin, I worked for the director of the Kirkland theatre helping to liaise with professional talent and shows as well as working backstage as a stage hand and in the box office as a customer service representative. At Pekin Community High School, I served as the theatre manager working with high school shows, community productions, and traveling talent from one man acts to entire companies. I have also worked lights, sound, and stage managing at the Peoria Cabaret Theatre in Peoria. I am also working with the film Real Prayers are Said In German as the co-props chair. I currently serve as the props season co-chair at Corn Stock Theatre while also stage managing and doing props for current shows at several theatres. This myriad of experience has helped me to see “behind the curtain” of the layers involved in running theatres not only artistically but also financially as a business. I would love to serve on the PPT board to help give back to an organization that has given so much to me and the Peoria community.

MICHELLE ELAM

Hello! I'm Michelle Elam and so excited to be running for the Board of Directors for Peoria Players Theatre. I remember sitting in the audience for my very first production at Peoria Players Titanic the Musical and can still think back on how wonderful it was how lucky I felt to have a place in our community where talented and gifted artists, technicians, and musicians could practice and showcase their craft.

I went to Millikin University and graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre. It was having opportunities in the community theatre that Peoria Players offered that fueled my fire for the performance world. After graduation, I lived in several cities, including Orlando, London England, and Chicago participating in numerous film and stage projects, before returning back to the Central Illinois area where I now reside.

After settling into the area once again, I revisited the Central Illinois Theatre scene as a curious observer and was once again blown away at what I saw. Seeing this theatre community not only still happening, but absolutely thriving gave me so much encouragement and helped me start to imagine all the possibilities!
As a performer, I have participated in numerous Peoria Players productions including Elf the Musical, Matilda and the 2022 CAST of Mamma Mia!

My artistic talents have been brought back alive at Peoria Players. As a mom of three children and an owner of several businesses in the Peoria area, I really began to think my time on the stage had ended. But with the encouragement and flexibility of our beloved Peoria Players community theatre, I am renewed in my enthusiasm for the art of theatre and everything that comes with it. It's important we have recognition in our community for the long-standing tradition and value Players has brought to Central Illinois. It's imperative we rally support from everyone we can to continue bringing amazing artistic productions to Peoria Players.

Currently, I am the owner of Inside Practice which is a virtual event production company, I have two other businesses in the fitness and wine industry and I am also a Sales Representative for a Healthcare Technology company called Centauri. I am a member of the central Illinois group Women In Leadership and serve on the advisory board for Freeman Means Business. I advocate for inclusivity and diversity in policy, guidelines, and recruitment. I speak regularly about this topic as well as topics on public speaking and presentation. I plan to bring my breadth of business knowledge, connections, and passion for the arts to my role as a board member. I will lean heavily on my vast network of artists from previous connections at university and performing arts projects as well as business contacts to further the mission of Peoria Players theatre. Thank you for your consideration.

SANDRA IADIPAOLO

Originally from Venezuela, I have made Central Illinois my home. My husband and I have been married for over fifteen years and we are the proud parents of three children. I teache Spanish at a local high school and am passionate about teaching young people to expand their understanding of different cultures – whether around the world or by participating in the arts here at home. My special interest is connecting theatre to students’ classroom experience and advocating for students who are continuing in higher education.

During my first three year term on the PPT Board of Directors, I networked with area teachers to promote shows that are frequently utilized in classroom curriculums such as Matilda and A Raisin in the Sun. I also initiated a teacher discount for those that brought student groups to the theatres to see those shows. This outreach allowed for better communication to area educators and gave them the opportunity to use theatre as part of their instruction, enabling me to combine my passions by using my position as an educator and board member to introduce more young people to the joys of live theatre.
Additionally, I launched the Scholarship Sticker Campaign in order to increase the student scholarship fund. I designed and organized sticker sales at each of the season shows and the campaign brought in over $700 to expand the scholarship budget, well over double the original scholarship.
I have also worked to increase student applications by constantly promoting the scholarship on social media as well as each shows’ tech rehearsals. In my time on the board, student applicants have doubled each year allowing for a more diverse and competitive scholarship at Peoria Players Theatre.

Besides community outreach and expanding the scholarship program, I have volunteered for numerous Peoria Players Theatre productions since 2009 as an actress, stage manager, set designer, and co-director. This past fall I organized a work day for high school students to gain volunteer hours by cleaning up the grounds around the theatre.

I would be most honored to serve on the board again and look forward to additional opportunities to connect students and the community to the wonderful, inspiring world of the arts.

KAITLIN SEAMAN

I am thrilled to be running for the Peoria Players Board of Directors again! During my time on the board, I have served as Secretary and assisted with social media, including Instagram. I have also served on a variety of committees, including the budgeting committee for three years; the committee to choose an electronic ticketing system; play selection committee; social committee, and much more. Outside of being on the board, I have also assisted with many shows at Players, including Mamma Mia!, The Wizard of Oz, Beehive, The Wiz, and many others.

During my time on the board, I have been able to see Peoria Players through their 100th season, and through a pandemic. While there have been many successes and many challenges, I am grateful to have served alongside others who are passionate, as I am, to see the theatre through to 100 more years. Looking ahead, I am excited for the theatre to thrive, and even more excited to help see what Peoria Players will do in the coming years.

AUTUMN VANDEVEN

Bio forthcoming

MICHELLE WATSON

My name is Michelle Watson and I am through the confidence of my peers excited to run as a nominee for the Peoria Players Board. Still being new to the world of theater, I believe I would make a Great asset becoming a part of the aspects of what it also takes behind the scenes.

I was first introduced to theater in high school where the first play I was a part of was Bye Bye Birdie singing the selection “Steam Heat!” And honestly since then never was able to be a part of any production, after getting married and having children; I just never had the time. I would attend plays and the first play to spark my interest again was seeing The Wiz and thinking to myself I could do that, but still never auditioning!

Juanita Williams approached me in 2019 asking if I’d like to do theater again and that they were looking for more people to fill the ensemble slots still available, and nothing I had to audition for. Dreamgirls - All of the major parts were selected and just to be a part of it was exciting! As rehearsals went by, she left the production and also the actor to portray another major part was released from the production 3 weeks to opening night! I was then told “You’re up!” I had to learn dialogue and choreography in 3 weeks! The confidence that Lisa Voyles, Ronnie Hudson and Mary Irby Moore had in me was humbling and it was a successful show! Blessed too, because of Dreamgirls doing a commercial for Lippman’s furniture.

Then came Ragtime in 2020 at Corn Stock Theatre where I portrayed a Haitian immigrant! That was also an amazing production directed by Pam Orear!

My final show was A Raisin in the Sun directed by Garry Moore! I portrayed “Ruth Younger” alongside Ronnie Hudson as “”Walter Lee.” This play happened at a time that COVID was building and more cases were happening to where we were the last production before the doors had to close!

Also in 2020 I was in a short film written by Dustin Presley and directed by Quinn Orear called, “Over my Dead Body,” which is slated to be out in the spring!

I have been blessed to work with some amazing people -- Bryan Blanks with PAPAS and just recently Jimmy Ulrich in Ladies Who Lunch. He was the one who believed I would be a great fit for Peoria Players.

I believe what I can bring to the table is more diversity. We have so many people of ALL COLORS who are talented in theatre right here in this area. Find ways to draw them to the world of theater and participate in theater! To be able to portray a character that is different from who you are and bring it to life is mesmerizing. The awe of a character -- one who can make you laugh and cry in the same breath!

I work hard at anything that is presented to me and get it done, and I know whatever task is before me -- believe me, I will make it happen!

CARL WILLIAMS

Not a whole lot of information to be had. I've been in about a dozen shows in the last several years. Musicals only, as I can sing a little and can't act very well.

I have done shows at Peoria Players and Eastlight, but none at Corn Stock. I love the theater community, and some of my best friends have come from doing theater.

I believe that theater needs to be run as a business, especially during these challenging times. I am hoping to bring a business perspective to Players, and with some additional guidance on the financial end, I am hoping the Peoria Players can set themselves up for the next 100 years. Five of my seven children have done local theater, and I am hoping my grandchildren will be able to as well. I am the owner of River City Wealth Partners, a financial advisory company based in Peoria.