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Students Attend International Thespian Society T.A.L.E.N.T. Conference

Montini theatre students took advantage of the opportunity to participate in a Broadway number workshop and connect with theatre professors and professionals in the field.
 
Members of Montini's International Thespian Society (ITS) attended the T.A.L.E.N.T. Conference (hosted by the International Thespian Society) at Downers Grove South High School on Friday and Saturday (September 11-12) where they participated in a Broadway number workshop and connected with theatre professors and professionals in the field. (T.A.L.E.N.T. stands for: Thespians Achieving Leading Entertaining Negotiating Together)

"Our team also explored what effective theatre leadership looks like and gained valuable insight into opportunities for continuing their education and involvement in theatre," said Montini Theatre Director Jackie Martin.
 
"This experience was completely different from anything I had experienced at Montini thus far, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into it," said Maryfaith Considine, senior and president of Montini's Chapter of ITS.  "From beginning to end, I was completely engaged and constantly learning something new. It was incredibly empowering to see how theatre programs across Illinois operate and to realize just how many possibilities there are for growing our own program at Montini. I loved that the conference pushed us to step outside of our comfort zones, speak up even when it was uncomfortable, and, just as importantly, listen to the experiences and ideas of other people. We have already started implementing some of the ideas we took away from the conference, and our executive board has been working tirelessly to turn that inspiration into action."
 
Montini's ITS Secretary, senior Eleni Bastas, agreed.  "I really enjoyed the event, it allowed me to experience something new, as well as getting more ideas on how to grow our own troupe. I felt that the student who went got something real out of it and it gave us even more motivation to bring greater attention to our theatre program."  Eleni is thrilled to be part of ITS leadership at Montini this year. "Being a theatre leader entails being an active role model constantly, which makes everyone in the program feel included and able to come to you if they need anything."

According to Maryfaith, one of the key themes stressed at the conference regarding leadership was "advocacy."  "I think that word really captures what leadership in theatre should be. The arts are so important, but they cannot continue to thrive if people aren’t willing to show up, speak up, and advocate for them. Theatre has given me so much, and I genuinely don’t know where I would be without it. When I look back on my high school career, some of my favorite memories come from the theatre program at Montini, and I think every student deserves the opportunity to find that same sense of belonging. To me, being a theatre leader means making sure the people who come after us have a program worth being passionate about. It’s about protecting the community that exists behind the curtain and making sure it continues long after we’re gone."

Social Media Coordinator for ITS, senior Jayden Carr, has appeared consistently on the Montini stage (two productions per year) since his freshman year.  He truly appreciated the opportunity to attend the conference.  "I really enjoyed the event because it gave me the opportunity to step outside of Montini and see theatre from a different perspective. Getting to meet other students who are just as passionate about theatre as I am was really meaningful. I loved hearing about their experiences, learning from the people leading the conference, and realizing that even though every theatre program is different, we all share that same excitement and love for creating something together. I definitely left the conference with new ideas and a lot to think about."
 
Jayden's views on leadership and the insight he received at T.A.L.E.N.T. will no doubt carry him to success beyond the Montini stage.  "I think theatre leadership is about much more than having a title or being the person in charge. It means being someone who can bring people together, listen to others, and help create an environment where everyone feels like they have a place. Theatre can be stressful and unpredictable, so I think a good leader is someone who can stay positive, support the people around them, and step up when things get difficult. To me, leadership is really about making the people around you better and helping everyone feel confident enough to contribute."
 
“I was so proud to see our students step outside of their comfort zones, meet other young theatre leaders and come back with so many ideas and so much excitement,” said Martin. “They were reminded that theatre is about more than what happens on stage - it’s about leadership, collaboration, advocacy and building a community. I’m excited to see where they take that inspiration and how it continues to shape our theatre program at Montini.”
 
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l to r: Ms. Jackie Martin, senior Brianna Konopacz, senior Grace Duffy, senior Maryfaith Considine, senior Jack May, junior Gavin Graham, senior Eleni Bastas, senior Isabella Baldwin, senior Jayden Carr

Montini Catholic is a Lasallian college preparatory high school located in Lombard, Illinois - DuPage County;
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