5:45 PM – Pizza 6:00 PM – Moderated Discussion with Panelists 6:45 PM – Q & A 7:15 PM – Networking Are you a Chicago-based theater artist? Learn about the variety of local resources available to help you—financial aid, grants, legal advice, networking, well-being and more! Come for the pizza and walk away knowing more about the services and opportunities provided by organizations represented! This in-person event is free, but registration is required. (There will also be a flu vaccine clinic on this date; sign-up for that here: https://app.unison.io/schedules/1ZLjIz6MPxcWgzustyOiYL) About the Speakers: Columbia College Chicago: Brian Shaw (Moderator) Brian Shaw is a Professor in the School of Theater and Dance at Columbia College Chicago, where he is coordinator of the Acting program. He has an active practice as an actor and director in a wide range of performance modes, working in traditional scripted drama, devised work, film and television, dance, and public spectacle. He has been active in building partnerships and securing resources both as a faculty member and as an artist. Brian is the Board Liaison of the Sarah Siddons Artistic Council. Actors’ Equity Association: Dr. Danee Conley Dr. Danee Conley, a former practicing dramaturg, educator, and cultural consultant, is now the Director for Diversity and Inclusion at Actors’ Equity Association. As a resource to members, staff, employers, and the industry writ large, Danee and her department are committed to building an ecosystem of care and justice, with particular focus on creating culturally conscious workplaces in the theater industry. Arts Alliance Illinois: Sasha Ongtengco Sasha Ongtengco, she/her, is the Creative Workforce Program Director and Creative Worker Resources Navigator at Arts Alliance Illinois where she works to expand advocacy and resources for artists, creative workers, and small creative businesses. She brings extensive experience in workforce development, program design, and public/private partnerships to strengthen artist advocates through Arts Alliance’s creative worker policy efforts and research. Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago: Luther Goins In 1990, after working extensively in Cincinnati, Ohio, Luther re-located to Chicago and held positions at Northlight Theatre, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in Evanston, and Chicago Theatre Company. In 2002, Luther accepted a position with the Chicago office of Actors’ Equity Association, where he worked for 14 years before retiring in 2016. Since retirement, he has worked as a consultant with ShawChicago Theatre Company, Congo Square Theatre Company, and Music Theater Works Porchlight Music Theatre, Canamac Productions, Silk Road Rising, Victory Gardens Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, and Grippo Stage Company. Luther also held the honor of being the first African American Board Chair for Season of Concern. Most recently, he was the Executive Director for the Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago. Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE): Laura P. Trejo Laura P. Trejo is an arts advocate with over a decade of experience in the arts, working in nonprofit, philanthropy, and government. She currently serves as Program Director, Cultural Resources for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for the City of Chicago. In this role, Laura supports individual artists, arts nonprofits, and creative businesses through professional development, navigating city resources and shaping advocacy efforts that make Chicago a better place to work in the arts. Laura holds dual degrees in Studio Art and Art History from the University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Entertainment Community Fund: Rodney Matthews Rodney Matthews has served as a Career Counselor for the Entertainment Community Fund in its Chicago office since January 2023. In his role, he supports performing arts and entertainment professionals as they navigate career development and job search processes. Additionally, as a part of his role, he supports the Career Transition for Dancers Program (CTFD), a program of The Career Center. Rodney especially enjoys helping individuals explore and identify their career goals and suitable employment opportunities. Prior to joining The Career Center, Rodney worked in talent acquisition, recruitment, and career services at universities across the Midwest. He completed his undergraduate degree in Housing Studies and a Master of Education degree in Human Resource Development, both from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and holds a professional certification as a Certified Master of Career Services from the National Career Development Association (NCDA). Illinois Arts Council: Susan Dickson Susan has been a Program Director for the IAC since 2007, where over the years she was assigned to direct the following discipline areas: Arts-in-Education, Dance, Ethnic & Folk Arts, Literature, Master/Apprentice, Media, Presenters, and Theatre. With the IAC’s re-organization and elimination of discipline-based programs, Susan now oversees grants for the Eastern region of Illinois and the Chicago Metro 3 area. Prior to working for the Illinois Arts Council, Susan served as the Managing Director of the Joel Hall Dancers Center, a Chicago-based jazz dance company and training center, managed a small family-owned business that produced American freshwater caviar products, and served as the director of the Individual Artists Program for the Ohio Arts Council for over a decade. Jeff Impact Fellowship: Brittany Chhutani The Fellowship was established in 2023 as a grant award program to help inspire early to mid-career artists of color in the Greater Chicagoland area. The Fellowship is intended for the professional, academic, and/or personal development of candidates in the theater community. Eligible recipients are early to mid-career artists of color who reside in or are based in Chicago or a Chicago suburb and have been involved in Chicago theater for at least one year as actors, directors, stage managers, designers, theater technicians, cabaret artists, playwrights, music directors, theater composers, theater musicians, and/or improvisational performers. Lawyers for the Creative Arts: Elsa Hiltner Elsa is director of programs at Lawyers for the Creative Arts, a pro bono legal service organization for the arts in Illinois. She began her career as a freelance theatre artist and costume designer, and has worked in various capacities at nonprofit theatre companies including in shop management, marketing, and as director of development. These experiences as an arts worker deeply inform her work as an arts advocate, organizer, and activist for pay equity. She has a national reputation as an arts advocate, based on her essays, talks, and the tools and resources she has built for arts organizations. League of Chicago Theaters: Tony Bondoc Tony Bondoc is an arts and culture administrator from the Texas-Mexico border focused on the intersections of arts and culture, community engagement, education, and government policy. He is currently the Director of Programming for the League of Chicago Theatres where he designs the League’s programs and coordinates resources for over 200 member theatres across Chicago. Tony graduated from DePaul University, with a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Leadership and Graduate Certificates in Metropolitan Planning & Development, and Emergency Management Administration. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Theater from Texas A&M International University. Previous positions include work with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Neo-Futurists Theater, and Amplify Leadership Advisors. Sarah Siddons Society: Daryl Brooks The Society funds scholarships to outstanding theatre students, enabling them to further their education at Northwestern University, DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and Northern Illinois University. Recently, the Society expanded on its mission to further support the professional growth of the next generation of Chicago area theatre artists by offering Professional Development Grants, providing emerging artists financial assistance to assist in their professional development. Season of Concern: Christopher Pazdernik Founded in 1987, SOC is dedicated to providing financial assistance to all Chicagoland theater practitioners impacted by illness, injury or circumstance. SOC provides short-term emergency financial aid to theater workers through both The Biscotto-Miller Fund and The Malcolm Ewen Emergency Fund. Season of Concern relies on fundraising and donations to complete its mission, and to date has distributed more than $4 million to those in need. Columbia College Chicago: Brian Shaw (Moderator) Actors’ Equity Association: Dr. Danee Conley Arts Alliance Illinois: Sasha Ongtengco Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago: Luther Goins Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE): Laura P. Trejo Entertainment Community Fund: Rodney Matthews Illinois Arts Council: Susan Dickson Jeff Impact Fellowship: Brittany Chhutani Lawyers for the Creative Arts: Elsa Hiltner League of Chicago Theaters: Tony Bondoc Sarah Siddons Society: Daryl Brooks Season of Concern: Christopher Pazdernik
