Who We Are
We provide collaborative spaces for our diverse community to connect and develop an inclusive theatrical craft and grow a more engaged, creative, and empathetic world.
We are transparent.
We build trust through openness and consistent practices to strive toward an informed and empowered community.
We are centered around our local community.
We enrich and strengthen collaboration, growth, and celebration of collective achievement.
We are impact-driven.
Our actions and decisions are guided by the desire to create beneficial, measurable, and equitable outcomes for our diverse community.
We are accountable.
We lead with compassion and integrity to build and sustain a thriving, inclusive theatre community.
We are artists.
We uplift joy to empower self-liberation, discovery, and a sense of belonging.
At MA Thespians, we hold ourselves accountable to the work of undoing oppression and advancing equity to overcome our state's bitter history of segregation and racial inequality. As part of this work, we must start by acknowledging that our festival resides on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Wampanoag, Nipmuc, Massachusett, and Pawtucket peoples, whose names were appropriated by this Commonwealth. We pay respect to elders past, present, and future, the traditional custodians of the lands on which we make and present our art. We acknowledge the truth of violence perpetrated in the name of this country and commit to uncovering that trust through dialogue, partnerships, and learning.
Our Board
Chapter Director
Jessica Harms
Jess (she/her) has directed over 100 shows (so far!) with her Master's in Theatre Education from Emerson College. She empowers educators as a Pre-AP Arts National Faculty member and theatre arts curriculum writer for the CollegeBoard.
Festival Chair
Charles Jabour
Charlie (he/him) is a producer, director, and theatre educator and the proud advisor of the Highlander Theatre Company at Somerville High School. He is committed to creating inclusive and brave spaces for young people through theatre education.
Thespys Coordinator
Ash Bell
Ash (they/them) is an LGBTQIA+ and Disability inclusion educator who runs The Rainbow Toolbox, a consulting business. Ash has served on the Massachusetts Thespians Board since 2018. They pay honor and respect to the Stockbridge-Munsee ancestors, past and present, as they commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all.
One-act Coordinator
Drew O'Connors
Drew is the Director of Technology at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School. He is a thespian alum, having been inducted in 2006 and graduated as an International Honor Thespian.
Outreach Coordinator
Debra Huard
Debbie is the Drama Director at West Boylston Middle/High School and a native of Worcester. She has a BA in Theatre from Wagner College and a Masters in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado. This is her first year on the Thespian Board.
Marketing Coordinator
Jason Luciana
Jason (he/him) is the Choral and Theatre Director for Plymouth South High School. This is his second year on the MA Thespians board.
Board Member
Ellen O'Reilly-LaSalle
Mrs. O'Reilly-LaSalle is a National Board Certified Teacher and the Theatre Director at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School. Under her leadership, the department has gained national recognition as a Premier Community for Theatre Education from the Educational Theatre Association. Her students' work is showcased on nationalartsstands.org
Our Advisory Board
Joy Arcalano
David Jiles
Malia’Kekia Nicolini
Christopher Beaulieu