EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Addie Schafer Benko

Addie Schafer Benko
 
Executive Director
Virginia Thespians
BIOGRAPHY: Addie Schafer Benko is a Virginia Educator who has directed theatre and taught in K-12 classrooms for 6 years in Loudoun County, VA. Addie received her Master's in Education as well as BA in English and Theatre from the College of William and Mary. Addie is also a National Geographic Educator and was a 2019 fellow. Addie was a Fulbright Teacher in 2015 in Malaysia. She has traveled to teach English and arts skills nationally as well as internationally. She is working with Rock Ridge Performing Arts to expand their summer programs along with doing contracting work on the side and is a part time instructor with Loudoun County Public School's Adult Education programming. She is also the Executive Director of Virginia Thespians and Artistic Director for a new pre-professional youth theatre training program called Creative Stages. 
EXECUTIVE BOARD:
Chapter Director: Tracy Bourne 
State Vice Chair: Heather Ursano
Treasurer: OPEN for 2023-24
Secretary: OPEN for 2023-24
Ex Officio: Victoria Kesling
*Nominations & applications are being accepted now through mid-March when we will vote in our new board members.

CHAIR POSITIONS:
Thespys: Marla Wood
​Scholarships: Tracy Bourne
College Coordinator: Justin Daniel
Registration: Neil Burch
VTO Coordinator:  Katie Hudson
Middle School Liaison: Katie Hudson
One-Act Chair: Nicki Shepherd
Vice One-Act Chair: Heather Ursano
Hospitality Chair: Shaun Redd
Mainstage Chair: Brian Kaufman
Festival Stage Manager: Emilie Fletcher
​Outreach Chair: Cecille Deason
​
*2023-24 positions announced in March

OPEN POSITIONS:
Chief Safety Officer
New School Coordinator
Next Generation Works Coordinator
Spirit Store
Middle School Chair
Justin Daniel
COLLEGES CHAIR
Tuscarora High School
Troupe 7925
Neil Burch
REGISTRATION CHAIR
Goochland High School
Troupe 6704
Cecille Deason
OUTREACH CHAIR
Turner Ashby High School
Troupe 6288
Victoria Kesling-Councill
CHAPTER DIRECTOR
New Kent High School
Troupe 7644
Tracy Bourne
CHAPTER VICE CHAIR/ SCHOLARSHIPS
Kecoughtan High School
Troupe 2847
Zack Kattwinkel
SECRETARY & SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR
First Colonial High School
Troupe 3178
Nicki Shepherd
ONE ACT CHAIR
John Champe High School
Troupe 8012
Brian Kaufman
MAINSTAGE CHAIR
Langley High School
Troupe 3526
Katie Hudson
STOs/vtos CHAIR
Broad Run High School
Troupe 3564
Tony
​Cimino-Johnson
State OFFICER EX-OFFICIO
Rock Ridge High School Troupe 8104
Bob ​Smith
CHAPTER TREASURER
Virginia Thespian Hall of Fame 2022
Marla Wood
THESPYS CHAIR
Hickory High School
Troupe 5688
Heather Ursano
ONE ACT VICE CHAIR
Narrows High School
Troupe 8655
Emilie Fletcher
FESTIVAL SM CHAIR
Heritage High School
Future Troupe
Shaun Redd
HOSPITALITY CHAIR
Kecoughtan High School
Troupe 2847
Why join the board?
  • Share the needs of your program, school, and larger community
  • Speak on behalf of your students to help shape the annual festival
  • Take on a statewide leadership role with your talents, strengths, and at your pace
  • Participate in an inclusive retreat getaway for a weekend to prep for the big event
  • Have first call for presenting at our teacher conference and volunteering roles
  • Get your guaranteed volunteer hours for reimbursement
  • Early information given for upcoming events, opportunities, newsletters, etc.
  • Volunteer, event planning, and advocacy experience at the state level
  • Resources to get involved at the national level