ITO 2023

Josh Cunnison (he/him)
Kecoughtan High School, Troupe #2847
Graduates 2024

Joshua Cunnison

What do you hope to accomplish as an ITO?
I have seen the change that diversity brings to a group. I have been an advocate of diversity and inclusion since I was eight years old. That year I joined a summer camp called 4-H. I truly believe that 4-H was the biggest influence on my leadership journey. What I remember is people from all sides of the commonwealth coming together for a weeklong camp in the middle of Jamestown. We were taught how to lead through games and interactive experiences. I have been a counselor at this camp that helped raise me, and also was on their leadership board.

As an ITO 2023 I’d like to implement student-led diversity and inclusion education for other students. This is something we did in 4-H. I would define some of the most important EdTA Core values and possibly combine some of them to make a couple different committees for the elected student leaders to join. This could have a lasting impact on diversity and inclusion throughout the rest of the history of ITS.

We could set up stands at ITF with the different subcommittees and see that the program is implemented well and actively supported by the students and fellow thespians at the conference. My goal is to shape my peers into leaders and active members in ITS and in the world.

Which EdTA core value resonates most with you?
The worst feeling as a teammate, and especially as a leader, is having that one odd apple that doesn’t want to work together with the rest of the team. That is why I believe that the single most important core value is Work Together. I believe that it is crucial to work as a team, and if it is not achieved, if only one person doesn’t want to work with the group, it can possibly ruin all of the progress made toward the goal.

My childhood consisted of a lot of sports and extracurricular activities. One of the most influential activities in my early life was soccer. I played soccer for more than 10 years and made a club team. Every single year that I played rec we almost always went undefeated, except for one year, during this year we had the same people that went undefeated the year prior. However, since we won so much, the best player in our league decided that he wanted to play for us and joined our team. Almost immediately you could see that he was miles above every single one of us and was an incredible player. We automatically leaned on him to score every single goal, we would slack off in practice because we thought since we had the best player we couldn’t possibly lose. In short, that year we went from 10-0 to 2-8. We only won two games because we relied on one person.

That is why teamwork is so important to me. Even from the young age of nine, I knew how crucial teamwork was after that experience. “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships,” said basketball great Michael Jordan.

Theatre has been a home for me for a long time and has helped me through a lot of different pathways, one of the most crucial parts of my life was my battle with obesity. When I was 15 years old I weighed almost 300 pounds and absolutely hated myself. When I was younger, I never struggled with weight and was a pretty healthy kid. During the COVID-19 pandemic I gained more than 100 pounds. Since I gained so much weight over a short amount of time, I struggled with lung problems and difficulty breathing.

Never once in the theatre program did I feel left out or made fun of because of weight or appearance. I was still able to be cast in all sorts of roles from comedic characters, to romantic interests, to protagonists.

Now, thanks to my friends in theatre that supported me, I’ve lost more than 80 pounds. Theatre is the most positive experience in my entire life, it has shaped me as a person and as a leader and helped me through the toughest moments of my life.

Meghan Crohe (she/her)
Pennsbury High School, Troupe #830
Graduates 2024

Meghan Crohe

What do you hope to achieve as an ITO?
I will use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect further with Thespians to get Theatre In Our Schools Month declared at the national level. There are so many incredible resources through the EdTA, so many Thespians across the nation to connect with through the ITSLC, and so many ways to create, reform, and share theatre around the globe.

When it comes to DEI, I believe theatre should be the most welcoming environment that allows students from all backgrounds to come together and share their love of the art. There are programs and activities in my troupe that might help students who would struggle on their own, such as having an upperclassman to guide them, helping them prepare for auditions, run lines, or answer any questions they may have. This program is called Backstage Buddies at my school. 

I went into my junior year with the goal of establishing a more inclusive and welcoming environment in order to bridge the gap between underclassmen and upperclassmen at my school. This was a big problem in my troupe as a result of COVID-19, and I did not want new students joining theatre at the high school level to feel unsupported, intimidated, or unwelcome like I had at points. Aside from this, I am happy to say that my troupe encourages anyone to audition for shows, and welcomes neurodivergent individuals and students no matter how they identify when they walk into the doors of our auditorium.

It’s my goal to further investigate roadblocks that may stand in the way of DEI, and work to organize more ways to become the most unbiased version of ourselves that we can. 

Which EdTA core value resonates most with you?
Be the Person You Want to Work With. The three subsets of this value include celebrating individuality and honoring diversity, engaging fully, and bringing joy and optimism to your work. I believe that these ideas are important for creating a safe and happy environment. Recognizing and honoring uniqueness and skills that students have is important for making them feel appreciated. Especially when casting or electing members of a board, I think this core value is key.

How has your theatre education impacted your life?
Theatre itself is an important tool that can be used for advocacy. For example, this past year I was assistant director to a program in my troupe called S.T.A.G.E., which stands for Sharing Theatre and Guiding Emotions. It was designed to spread theatre to our district’s elementary schools while incorporating social and emotional learning through a children’s one-act play.

We prioritize casting underclassmen as it is their first introduction to the high school and is very low pressure, and it’s entirely student-run. Next year I plan to work with my district to make sure we can visit even more schools in order to share it with even more students. Additionally, when it comes to advocating for the art itself, for the past two years I have written to my state representatives about Theatre In Our Schools. In March of 2022, my troupe was the first in the state to get Theatre in Our Schools Month declared for Pennsylvania by the state senate. I will continue to advocate for theatre education at every level. I hope to spread this message to as many people as possible through this international platform.

Nat Wilkes (they/them/theirs)
Cherry Creek High School, Troupe #1730
Graduates 2024

Nat Wilkes

What do you hope to accomplish as an ITO?
One of the most beautiful aspects of theatre is the opportunity to collaborate with other committed and compassionate artists. Last summer, I was able to collaborate on recruitment for Colorado Youth Congress, the nonprofit focused on systems change, with a fellow Colorado thespian, Meadow Sinner. We would frequently exchange ideas of how our theatre executive leadership could transfer into the nonprofit world and what we had learned from the nonprofit world that we could transfer into theatre. We were both in line to be Treasurer for our respective troupes this school year and grew incredibly close in just a short few months.

Tragically, on the closing night of our summer internship, Meadow Sinner was murdered in a domestic violence dispute. I had lost a friend, a coworker, and a fellow thespian. At Meadow’s funeral, I collected myself enough to talk to her friends from school, providing them my phone number so we could connect and I could offer support to Meadow’s troupe. In the past year, I have kept up contact with these students and encouraged my coworkers to attend their productions when possible.

My number one goal is to support troupes through providing resources and effective communication to members and directors. I believe theatre is a community which spreads throughout cultures, as we share the same values and ethics. To connect thespians and grow the community is to grow the individual.

How has your theatre education impacted your life?
I have matured greatly as a theatre artist and human being through the connections I’ve made with other students, and am confident that I will expand these skills as an ITO.

When Meadow was murdered, I channeled my grief into productivity. I led through those difficult times on projects to keep myself busy. Theatre teaches principles, skills, and character which sets Thespians apart. Personally, theatre has been the sole reason I learned to be more gregarious and outgoing, which is a skill that has supported me in all my endeavors.

Sid Gunasekaran (he/him)
Coppell High School, Troupe #5992
Graduates 2024

Sid Gunasekaran

What do you hope to accomplish as an ITO?
My primary focus is on fostering connections among Thespians and cultivating a strong sense of community within the organization. I believe that the foundation of successful leadership lies in building robust relationships with those around you, and I am committed to working tirelessly to create an environment in which all Thespians feel seen, heard, and valued.

I plan to attend workshops, participate in panel discussions, or simply converse with fellow Thespians to build relationships. I believe that face-to-face interaction is an essential ingredient in nurturing relationships and fostering a sense of belonging and unity within the community.

In addition to in-person outreach, I would also work to create digital spaces where Thespians can connect and engage with one another. This could include online forums, dedicated social media groups, and even virtual performances and workshops. By harnessing the power of technology, we can bridge the gap among Thespians across different locations and create opportunities for them to collaborate, support one another, and share their passion for theatre.

Furthermore, I would encourage mentorship and collaboration within the Thespian community. By establishing mentorship programs and encouraging experienced Thespians to guide and support newer members, we can ensure that everyone has the chance to grow, learn, and contribute to the organization. Inclusivity and diversity are important focuses of my approach to leadership.

As a proud South Asian Indian Tamil, I have personally experienced the lack of representation for individuals like myself in the theatre industry. This is an issue I am passionate about addressing, and I am determined to use my unique perspective to make a lasting impact.

Which EdTA core value resonates most with you?
I firmly believe in the importance of “striving for excellence” in everything that I do. This means setting high standards for myself and consistently pushing to do better, whether it’s in my personal or professional life. To me, success is not just about reaching a particular goal or achieving a specific milestone. It’s about continually improving and growing as an individual.

When I pursue excellence, I challenge myself to become better and do better, which not only aids me in achieving my objectives but also brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose to my life. Being open to positive change is also crucial in today’s fast-paced world. With constant advancements and developments, we risk becoming stagnant and falling behind if we don’t welcome new ideas and new ways of doing things. By embracing positive change, we can stay ahead of the curve and continue to grow and evolve as individuals. A

How has your theatre education impacted your life?
Theatre education has had a profound impact on my life and has helped to shape me into the person I am today. Through theatre, I have developed important life skills, made meaningful connections with others, and found a sense of purpose and fulfillment. As a student, theatre education provided me with a safe and welcoming space where I could express myself creatively and explore different perspectives. It taught me the importance of collaboration, communication, and creativity, and helped me to develop my confidence and resilience.

I learned to take risks and push beyond my comfort zones, which has helped me to succeed in all areas of my life. Moreover, theatre education has provided me with a sense of community and belonging. It has allowed me to connect with others who share my passion for the arts, and has given me a way to make a positive impact on the world. Through theatre, I have been able to tell important stories, challenge stereotypes and misconceptions, and promote empathy and understanding.

Finally, theatre education has taught me the value of hard work and dedication. It has taught me that success is not just about talent, but about persistence and perseverance. Through theatre, I have learned to set goals and to work tirelessly to achieve them, which has helped me to achieve success both on and off the stage.

As someone who has experienced the negative effects of eating disorders, I am passionate about raising awareness and advocating for better support for those who are struggling. In particular, I’m committed to supporting organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), which provides resources and support for individuals and families affected by eating disorders. To this end, I recently hosted a charity fundraiser show called “The Broadway Banquet,” where all proceeds from the event went to NEDA and raising money for charity. The event featured musical performances from a variety of local artists and performers, as well as speeches from eating disorder survivors and advocates. It was an incredible experience, and I was proud to see so many people come together to support a cause that is so important to me. I am committed to continuing my advocacy work and to using my voice and my platform to promote positive change in the world.  ♦

Patty Craft is a regular contributor to Dramatics.