Who Are We?
Illini Student Musicals (ISM) is an organization dedicated to the performance of musical theater at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Students will be able to gain experience in the administrative, technical, creative, and performance aspects of producing musical theater. By putting on a show once a semester, students will be able to get first-hand experience in the collaborative process and in all elements of musical theater.
ISM strives to put on performances that showcase our members’ talent, enthusiasm, creativity, and passion. With each show, we aim to challenge ourselves as artists as well as our audiences with performances of the highest artistic and professional caliber.
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Illini Student Musicals (ISM) is dedicated to upholding a community where members, collaborators, alumni, and
supporters feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to be their true, authentic selves. Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) are core values that guide us throughout all aspects of our organization. We
are committed to cultivating an environment where all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality,
gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic background, age, religion, or lived
experience, have opportunities to belong, contribute, and thrive. Our personal differences and perspectives
grant us the ability to remain adaptable and broaden our understanding as we continue to create an inclusive
environment.
We understand that building an inclusive community cannot be done by one singular action, but rather by a
continual process of learning, listening, and growing. We are always actively striving for mutual understanding
that is rooted in making all voices and perspectives heard. As a student-run organization, it is our goal that each
new generation of members has the opportunity and responsibility to learn from those that have come before,
reflect on our present community experiences, and continue the mission to shape a more diverse, equitable,
inclusive, and accessible ISM together.
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ISM Casting
The rehearsal staff, consisting of the Director, Vocal Director, Choreographer, and various assistants, creates the callbacks and the castlist based on the talent displayed during auditions and callbacks, as well as details provided in the audition packet such as availability, role-type preferences, and past experience. Every member of the rehearsal staff has an equal opportunity to share their insights and vision for each role being cast. The Executive Producer ensures that all voices are heard and that the casting process remains collaborative and balanced.
Casting Philosophy
ISM is committed to a fair, transparent, and educational casting process that prioritizes collaboration, respect, and artistic growth. Casting decisions are based on the needs of the production, the vision of the creative team, and the best fit for the ensemble as a whole.
Conflicts of Interest:
It is rehearsal staff’s job, along with help from the Executive Producer, to disclose personal relationships with auditionees that could cause bias to the rest of the staff. If one believes they can talk about a person they have a close relationship with (family, best friend, roommate, enemy, significant other, etc.) in an unbiased way, they may participate in the discussion. If they feel more comfortable not being a part of this person’s audition/callback/discussion altogether, you may step out of the room. The Executive Producer has the right to recuse any member of the rehearsal staff for casting discussions if bias is suspected. Any notions of biased casting will be addressed with the board and there will be consequences.
Diversity and Inclusion
Unless specifically stated for a role, performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, abilities, and ages can audition for whatever roles they feel comfortable with playing.
Transparency and Communication
Casting decisions will be made collaboratively by the rehearsal staff and Executive Producer. All auditionees will be notified of results via email at the same time, regardless of casting outcome. While individualized feedback is not guaranteed, auditionees may request general notes about their audition at the discretion of the rehearsal staff.
Confidentiality
All discussions during the casting process are confidential. Members of the rehearsal staff and executive team are expected to maintain discretion about audition feedback, callbacks, and casting decisions until official announcements are made.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meets weekly on Sundays at 5:15 PM during the school year. Contact secretary@illinistudentmusicals.org to meet with the Board.
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President
Aahana Meka (she/her) is a senior majoring in Psychology.
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Vice President
Dominic Kubacik (he/him) is a sophomore majoring in Marketing (Pre-Med).
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Treasurer
Marcello Gaus Ehning (he/him) is a senior majoring in Actuarial Science.
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Secretary
Noori Khurshid (she/her) is a senior majoring in Astrophysics and Math.
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Marketing Director
Lin Gilbertz (she/her) is a junior majoring in Lyric Theater with a minor in Advertising.
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Community Outreach
Mimi Erickson (she/her) is a senior majoring in English Secondary Education.
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DEIA Chair
Shrenik Balaji (he/him) is a senior majoring in Bioengineering.
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General Board
Carter Anderson (he/him) is a junior majoring in Political Science.
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General Board
Jamila Nadine Booc (she/her) is a senior majoring in Computer Science and Linguistics.
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General Board
Rhianna Lovekamp (she/her) is a junior majoring in Community Health (Pre-Nursing).
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General Board
Isabella Smith (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in English.
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General Board
Nora Maier (she/her) is a junior majoring in Psychology.
Previous Boards
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President: Hannah Sachs
Vice-President: Mimi Erickson
Treasurer: Nathan Pugh (2025)
Marcello Gaus Ehning (2026)
Secretary: Aahana Meka
Community Outreach: Harper Clark
Marketing Director: Nick Pugh (2025)
Lin Gilbertz (2026)
DEIA Chair: Shrenik Balaji
Board Members: Carter Anderson
Ainsley Holland
Marcello Gaus Ehning (2025)
Noori Khurshid (2026)
Maggie Sanchez
Nora Maier
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Ellie Pierzina
Vice-President: Sarah Heidorn
Treasurer: Hannah Sachs
Secretary: Abby Kong
Community Outreach: Ally Howe
Marketing Director: Nick Pugh (2024)
Emma Perisho (2025)
DEIA Chair: Shrenik Balaji
Board Members: Harper Clark (2025)
Mimi Erickson
Marcello Gaus Ehning (2025)
Maggie Hancock (2024)
Noori Khurshid (2025)
Aahana Meka
Emma Perisho (2024)
Nathan Pugh (2024)
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Ellie Pierzina
Vice-President: Aidan Gardner
Treasurer: Peter Giannetos
Secretary: Ava BooydeGraaff
Community Outreach: Michal Szczepaniak
Marketing Director: Laine Gamrath
DEIA Chair: Jaz Wilkins
Board Members: Maggie Hancock
Zoe Mihevc
Emma Perisho
Hannah Sachs
Sophia Urban
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Aidan Gardner
Vice-President: Ethan Matteo Fazio
Treasurer: Zoe Mihevc
Secretary: Sophia Urban
Community Outreach: Maya O’Neill
Marketing Director: Emma Mize
DEIA Chair: Ellie Pierzina
Board Members: Ava BooydeGraaff
Laine Gamrath
Peter Giannetos
Mitch Ryba
Michal Szczepaniak
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Daniel Owen
Vice-President: Lucy Economos
Treasurer: Ethan Matteo Fazio
Secretary: Joanna Riemer (2021)
Owen Henderson (2022)
Community Outreach: Maya O’Neill
Marketing Director: Trevor Santiago
Board Members: Aidan Gardner (2022)
Owen Henderson (2021)
Jessica Hendrickson
Zoe Mihevc
Emma Mize
Kenneth Tochihara
Sophia Urban
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Daniel Owen
Vice-President: Kenneth Tochihara
Treasurer: Ethan Matteo Fazio
Secretary: Ellen Reckamp
Community Outreach: Christine Millins
Marketing Director: Kelsey Handschuh
Board Members: Joanna Riemer
Owen Henderson
Lucy Economos
Sarah Dolins
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Gabriel Herzog
Vice-President: Abby Steimel
Treasurer: Daniel Owen
Secretary: Caylei Hallberg
Community Outreach: Christine Millins (2019)
Kelsey Handschuh (2020)
Marketing Director: Morgan Dunn
Board Members: Kara Hynes
Ellen Reckamp
Kenneth Tochihara
Joanna Riemer (2019)
Spencer Andrews (2020)
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Aleeza Leder Macek
Vice-President: Olivia Begley
Treasurer: Jake Fava (2018)
Kelsey Handschuh (2019)
Secretary: Abby Steimel
Community Outreach: Drew Howard (2018)
Gabriel Herzog (2019)
Marketing Director: Osiris Ramos
Board Members: Nick Hittle (2018)
Tessa Muriello (2018)
Gabriel Herzog (2018)
Jack Wierschem
Morgan Dunn (2019)
Kate Jurkovic (2019)
Haley Prochilo (2019)
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Anne Deichert
Vice-President: Aleeza Leder Macek
Treasurer: Olivia Begley (2017)
Jake Fava (2018)
Secretary: Amy Hoke
Community Outreach: Mary Di Leo
Marketing Director: Katie Burke
Board Members: Dane Brandon
Jonathan "Keaton" Hellman
Osiris Ramos
Tessa Muriello
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Lauren Brooks
Vice-President: Anne Deichert
Treasurer: Matthew Gross
Secretary: Tucker Nevel
Community Outreach: Rebecca Sweeney
Marketing Director: Maureen Sanderson
Board Members: Katie Burke (2017)
Mary Di Leo
Jon Faw (2016)
Jonathan "Keaton" Hellman
Aleeza Leder Macek
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: David Naber
Vice-President: Stephanie Svarz (2015)
Jon Faw (2016)
Treasurer: Lauren Brooks (2015)
Anne Deichert (2016)
Secretary: Tucker Nevel
Community Outreach: Margaret Boland (2015)
Griffin Jenkins (2016)
Corporate Relations: Melisa Puthenmadom (2015)
Marketing Director: Maureen Sanderson
Board Members: Katie Burke (2016)
Anne Deichert (2015)
Mary Di Leo (2016)
Jon Faw (2015)
Kirsten Vold
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Carly Graham (2014)
Christopher Cayari (2014)
Austin Errera (2015)
Vice-President: David Naber
Treasurer: Matt Bleck
Secretary: Brandon Saposnik
Community Outreach: Delaney Sterling
Corporate Relations: Ashley Scott (2014)
Elizabeth Balkan (2015)
Marketing Director: Austin Errera (2014)
John Lattanzi (2015)
Faculty Advisor: Sarah W. Johnson
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President: Justin Brauer
Vice-President: Matt Bleck
Treasurer: Michael Courtney
Secretary: Erin Berg (2013)
Brandon Saposnik (2014)
Community Outreach: Christopher Cayari
Corporate Relations: Ashley Scott
Marketing Director: Derrick Pemberton
Faculty Advisor: Dawn Harris
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Co-Presidents: Chris Johnson
Aaron Kaplan
Vice-President: Justin Brauer
Treasurer: Michael Courtney
Secretary: Erin Berg
Community Outreach: Jeri Hart
Marketing Director: Jenny Jones
Faculty Advisor: Dawn Harris