New board, officers to lead projects

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Area Community Theatre Alliance (YACTA) is marking its 11th year with new officers and several new projects.

Leading the organization is Joyce A. Jenkins-Jones, who was elected president in elections held last month. Other officers are Nicole Zayas, vice-president; Starr E. McClure, secretary; Gary Deckant, treasurer; and Brittiani McNeil-Ketcham, communications director.

The new executive board includes the above officers and Christopher Fidram (evaluations director), Patricia Fagan, Trish Terlesky, Jami Offerdahl, Kim Nevel, Teah Crew, Daisy Bannarn and Eric Kibler.

YACTA is best known for hosting the Marquee Awards, which honor the best in community theater every year.

The organization is also creating a scholarship program for young men and women who wish to pursue theater in college; developing an online database of actors, director, technical workers and volunteers to assist theaters; working with theaters on fundraising and volunteer efforts; and assisting the community with various activities such as coat drives and library readings.

YACTA member theaters are Stage Left Players, Trumbull New Theater, Victorian Players, Youngstown Playhouse, Carnation City Players, Centaur Stage Productions, Crown Theater Productions, The Garage Theater, J&B Production Arts, Mahoning Valley Players, Rust Belt Theater Company and Salem Community Theater.

The Oakland Center for the Arts dropped out of the alliance last year, but has expressed some interest in possibly rejoining in the future, said Jones.