Theatre 121: Quality Community Theatre With a Heart for Our Community

Theatre 121 is an inclusive theater for the McHenry County area, providing education, connections, and community through excellence in the arts. We strengthen the bonds of our community by drawing visitors to Woodstock and area businesses, developing skills both on and off the stage, and providing entertainment and a sense of community for all.

Woodstock, IL has a rich tradition of excellent community theatre. In fact, TownSquare Players, Inc. and Woodstock Musical Theatre Company have produced quality theatre in Woodstock for over 50 years. But in 2019, both companies chose to merge to create one new non-for-profit 501(c)(3) theatre company, Theatre 121. The primary focus of Theatre 121 is to maintain the extensive legacy of both organizations while optimizing resources and pushing towards a more progressive and prestigious future.

In order to act for the future, Theatre 121 has embraced the realization that we need to serve the community that has graciously served both companies in the past. Our goal is to promote, sponsor, support, produce, instruct and engage in all the performing arts as well as all the various forms of the performance arts and any other related activities. We also value education and foster the arts by supporting and offering educational opportunities for youth and adults. Additionally, we continue to support and promote the Woodstock Opera House, which is home to many of our productions.

Board of Directors

Executive Board

Elaine caught the acting bug as a young child, and went on to earn a degree in musical theatre performance from Illinois State University. She has been performing locally since 2018, with her first show at the Opera House being The Little Mermaid. Elaine feels that community theatre is special because it is a collaborative and temporary art form where people come together for their shared passion of theatre, not for fame or fortune. She particularly loves Theatre 121 for the many ways it engages the community, not just through shows but through special events, book drives, food drives and much more. Outside of theatre, Elaine is a corporate trainer for a call center that handles leave and disability, and is also a talented voiceover artist. She loves hanging out with her two children, husband, and dog, watercolor painting and enjoying the outdoors.

Tracey is a dedicated member of the McHenry County theatre community with over a decade of involvement. As an early member of Theatre 121, she has played a pivotal role in its growth and development. Her contributions extend beyond the stage, as she has served on the Board of Directors, overseeing the Storage And Rehearsal Area (SARA) and holding various leadership positions such as Secretary and Vice President. Tracey’s passion for theatre is evident in her diverse involvement, ranging from directing and acting to costumes, props and technical direction. Her dedication to community theatre is matched by her experience in nonprofit leadership, having served on executive boards for multiple 501c3 sports organizations. This experience has honed her skills in communication, customer service, and adult education, making her a valuable asset to the theatre community. Tracey is passionate about creating a safe environment for individuals from all walks of life to use their talents to create an immersive artistic experience for audiences.

Kelsey has been a dedicated member of Theatre 121 since 2019, with a lifelong passion for dance and community theatre. Professionally, Kelsey is a research and development chemist and serves as Treasurer for the non-profit organization Chicago Society for Coatings Technology, where she has been a board member since 2018 and is a Past President. At Theatre 121, Kelsey has transformed marketing with a cohesive branding strategy, introduced the “Selfie to Headshot” program, and launched a successful beginner tap dance workshop. She also enhanced the budgeting process, saving significant funds by switching to a fee-free platform, and organized successful fundraising events like “Come Out Singin” and the 2023 show, Stagebound. Additionally, as a DEI leader in her professional career, Kelsey is dedicated to continuing to help Theatre 121 thrive and grow as a welcoming community for all! She strives to keep Theatre 121 a safe community that is accepting of everyone, no matter their background.

Jordan, a dedicated Woodstock resident, has served on the boards of various Woodstock theatre companies for nearly a decade. During her tenure, she has held key leadership positions, including Vice President and Secretary, and chaired committees focused on education, special events, marketing, and the maintainence SARA. Her commitment to the arts extends to her role on the Woodstock Opera House Advisory Commission. In addition to her board service, Jordan has been the director of notable productions at Theatre 121, including Matilda The Musical, Noises Off (Lou Nominated Best Director and Best Play), Steel Magnolias, and A Christmas Story The Musical. With a strong background in finance, sales, management, and theatre education, Jordan is passionate about fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment at Theatre 121 where individuals can develop their skills and find artistic fulfillment. Jordan is particularly invested in ensuring that Theatre 121 serves as a valuable community asset, offering accessible and engaging artistic experiences for all.

Directors at Large

Justin has been a member of Theatre 121 since his Lou Award-nominated performance as Max Detweiler in 2022’s The Sound of Music. He is an educational technology specialist, formerly a French and theatre teacher. He has served as chair for the American Association of Teachers of French’s Commission for the Promotion of French for over a decade and also currently serves as one of that association’s vice-presidents. In 2017, the French government bestowed onto him a knighthood in the Ordre des palmes académiques and he serves on the board of the American Society of the French Academic Palms. He has previously served as network co-chair for the American Alliance for Theatre and Education and as president of the Lakeside Players in Kenosha, Wisconsin. During his term on this board, he looks for to helping Theatre 121 remove barriers to creating and enjoying theatre for members of our community.

Community Connections
Mike Frale
(click image to contact)

Mike has been a part of Theatre 121 since 2021 and has had the theatre bug since 2010. He has a masters in organizational leadership as well as a bachelors in theatre from Lewis University. He has directed and produced multiple shows with Theatre 121 as well as with community theatre organizations across the Chicagoland area. Mike feels that the most important aspect of community theatre is creating that sense of community, not just within the cast and crew, but with the audience as well. He is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society as well as a member of the American Association of Community Theatres. Outside of theatre, Mike is a membership manager with a cat and a bird.

Membership
Emily Kunash (she/her)
(click image to contact)

A lifelong lover of theatre, Emily has been involved in various aspects of the performing arts, from acting, stage crew, and assistant stage management to networking and leadership. She has served on the Theatre 121 Board of Directors since July 2023. Emily brings a wealth of experience and passion for the arts to the Theatre 121 Board of Directors. With a career spanning over 15 years as a counselor, she has strong interpersonal and communication skills valued by Theatre 121. She is the owner of Next Level Counseling and Wellness and has been an integral part of the Woodstock community since starting her business in 2019. Running her own company, she developed relevant marketing, graphic design, management, and organizational skills. In addition to her role on the board at large, Emily serves as the chair of the Membership commission where she provides regular updates to membership and regularly engages and retains members. Emily is deeply committed to ensuring that Theatre 121 continues to thrive as a hub for creativity, inclusivity, and artistic excellence in the community. Outside of her work with Theatre 121, Emily is actively involved in Leadership Greater McHenry County on the Youth Committee, further demonstrating her dedication to fostering leadership in our community.

Special Events
Tracy Parr (she/her)
(click image to contact)

Tracy has loved the performing arts ever since she was a young girl. She has participated in various aspects such as, acting, vocal performance, costuming, and wigging. She has served on the Theatre 121 Board of Directors since July 2023. Tracy has many years of expertise that she brings to the Theatre 121 Board of Directors. With 23 years of teaching experience in the Barrington School District, Tracy has developed strong leadership and communication skills. As an educator she works with different stakeholders in the community, which has helped her to communicate effectively, and to perform her duties to the best of her ability as a Director at Large. She also has an eye for creativity, which has helped her run the Special Events Commission successfully since she started on the board. This commission includes planning the Opening Night Receptions for each show, planning and participating in the Woodstock Pride parade and fest, planning membership social events, and many more. Tracy joined the Theatre 121 board not only because she is passionate about the arts, but also because she believes in Theatre 121’s mission. She wants to ensure this company continues to provide an environment that fosters creativity, inclusivity, and artistic excellence in the community. Outside of her work with Theatre 121, Tracy is a wife and a mother of three amazing boys.

Encore!
Charlie Sommers
(click image to contact)

Coming Soon!

Company Values
Gianah Tomczak (she/her)
(click image to contact)

Gianah Tomczak began her journey with Theatre 121 back in 2019 when the company was a Freshman. She received a degree in Communications and minor in Acting from Columbia College Chicago. Professionally, she is a marketing, events, and communications specialist with a passion for live entertainment. Gianah currently sits on her company’s Culture Committee where she helps implement core values into everyday work days. With Theatre 121, Gianah has created and implemented the Company Values commission in order to maintain and demonstrate core values and mission of being a safe space for those in the community.

Finance
Roger Zawacki (he/him)
(click image to contact)

Roger was a 1971 graduate of Northwestern University where he worked backstage and started a small theatre group that produced obscure musicals. He went on to become the Theatre Director at Johnsburg High School for 32 years while also teaching math and serving as the Assistant Principal. Roger has directed over 100 shows and served as a board member for Townsquare Players for many years before transitioning to become a founding board member of Theatre 121. He loves that theatre is a collaborative art that allows people from different backgrounds to come together with a common goal, uplifting and inspiring them to be better human beings. Roger enjoys Disney World, traveling with his wife and adult children and has saved every Playbill from every professional show he has seen since 1961.

View the Theatre 121 By-Laws

Contact Us