Interested in learning more about running for EdTA's board of directors?
Board Election Guide
EdTA’s 2026 board of directors election will open in early February and run through mid-March. All EdTA adult members in good standing are eligible to vote — you have a voice in choosing who will represent you on the board.
Per the recent code changes in the 2025 election, the board of directors will comprise eight elected members, including the president, vice president, and immediate past president, and four appointed members. The vice president/president serves a five-year term, two as vice president, two as president, and one as past president. Other elected members serve three-year terms, and may be re-elected for a total service of six years. Appointed members serve one four-year term.
This year, EdTA is electing one board director. Terms begin July 1.
Board Role
The EdTA board is a governing board (not a working board). What does a governing board do?
- Sets direction: Reviews EdTA’s mission to ensure that it remains a guidepost, establishes strategic goals and priorities, plans for the future.
- Ensures and protects resources: The board is responsible for protecting financial assets, physical assets, reputation, and image.
- Provides oversight: Ensures policies are in place to evaluate infrastructure, programs, and services.
- Engages in outreach: Understands, interprets, and communicates the diverse needs of the membership. Board directors act as ambassadors and advocates of the mission.
The board is not an honorary post, nor is it involved in day-to-day operations — those are managed solely by the executive director, who is the board’s employee. Board members must be comfortable making strategic and sometimes-difficult decisions that affect the entire membership.
Association Priorities and Goals
EdTA developed a long-term strategic plan and vision to guide the organization into the future. The organization’s priorities are focused on achieving the goals set out in that plan, while measuring our success against our progress in DEIA, financial stability, innovation, and partnerships.
Now Accepting Vitas for 2026 Election
The EdTA board nominating committee’s role is to recruit and choose leaders suited to carry out the board’s role in achieving the association’s priorities, and ensuring diverse representation — of geography, race, gender, and professional experience.
Interested in running for the board? The application period is open through October 24 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Any adult EdTA member is eligible to submit a vita form to be considered to run.
The nominating committee will choose two to four candidates to run for each open seat. The committee includes:
- Past President Krista Carson-Elhai (committee chair) and vice president Patricia Santanello
- Oklahoma chapter director Guy Mitchell and South Carolina chapter director Harry Culpepper
- At-large member Sobha Kavanakudiyil, higher education faculty member from New Jersey
- Leo Chang, New York City teaching artist
- Non-voting staff member Jennifer Katona, EdTA’s executive director
- President Richard Frazier-Sostillio is an ex officio member
Proposed Code Changes
This year the board proposed various code changes to reflect current practices and strengthen board operations. All proposed changed passed in the 2025 election. You can review them by opening the PDF below.
Nominating Committee Considering Applicants
The EdTA board nominating committee’s role is to recruit and choose leaders suited to carry out the board’s role in achieving the association’s priorities, and ensuring diverse representation — of geography, race, gender, and professional experience.
The application period for the 2025 election closed November 4. Next, the nominating committee will choose two to four candidates to run for each open seat. The committee includes:
- Past President Helen Duranleau-Brennan (committee chair) and Vice President Richard Frazier
- Nebraska co-chapter director Emily Mokrycki and Washington co-chapter director Ben Stuart
- At-large members Jerald Bolden of Sacramento, Ca. and Jade Lambert-Smith of East Point, Ga.
- Non-voting staff member Jennifer Katona, EdTA’s executive director
- President Krista Carson Elhai is an ex officio member
2026 Board Candidates
Nominating Committee Selections
The EdTA board nominating committee’s role is to recruit and choose leaders suited to carry out the board’s role in achieving the association’s priorities, and ensuring diverse representation — of geography, race, gender, and professional experience.
The committee has selected the following candidates to run for the open seats.
Below you’ll find resources to help you get to know the candidates and how they might represent EdTA members:
- A one-minute video sharing each candidate’s vision for theatre education and EdTA coming out of the pandemic
- A candidate profile containing each person’s CV and details about their leadership experience and qualifications in their own words.
We encourage you to review each candidate’s vision, then reflect on how their involvement might advance the association’s objectives and the way you would like the association to serve you.
Vice President/President
Dr. Patricia Santanello
Columbus, Ohio
Dr. Patricia Santanello, Director of Theatre at Dublin Scioto High School, has 38 years of experience in theatre education and currently serves as Board Secretary for EdTA. She has held roles as Ohio Chapter Director, EdTA Leadership Coach, and board member with organizations including the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and Short North Stage. Recognized for her work in sensory-friendly theatre, Dr. Santanello authored a dissertation on autism-friendly performance. Her career in diverse, Title I schools has informed her approach to inclusive theatre practices, focusing on access and equity in education.
Dr. Silvia Scaife
Auburn, Alabama
Dr. Silvia Scaife serves as Director of Career and Technical Education for Auburn City Schools and brings over 28 years of experience in education across elementary, secondary, and administrative roles. Currently an EdTA Board member, she has led initiatives in student career readiness and educator mentorship. Recognized with multiple teaching awards, Scaife has also contributed to professional development at local, state, and national levels. Her approach emphasizes relationship-building, inclusion, and preparing students and educators to meet evolving educational and workforce needs.
Board Directors
Jeff Hall
Anaheim, California
Jeff Hall spent over 30 years developing Jesuit High School’s nationally recognized theatre program in Portland, Oregon, serving as Theatre Teacher, Fine Arts Department Chair, andPerforming Arts Facility Manager. A longtime member of the Educational Theatre Association, Jeff served as Oregon Thespians Chapter Director (2011–2019), was inducted into theEdTA Hall of Fame in 2016, and currently serves on the National Governing Board. As founding director of The Young People’s Theatre Project and now Senior Program Manager ofExternal Engagement for Disney Live Entertainment, Jeff’s focus remains on building connections between professional and educational theatre to expand access and opportunity.
Raymond Palasz
Munster, Indiana
Raymond Palasz is a 20+ year theatre educator, having worked with students from elementary through high school. The theatre program he has managed for the last decade has earned numerous honors at the regional and state level, and has had shows featured at the International Thespian Festival.
Raymond is a member of the Connected Arts Network, and he has adjudicated productions for EdTA as well as Thespys for several chapters. He have served as a member of the board forIndiana Thespians since 2006. Raymond has also served on the Nominating Committee, the Racial Equity Task Force, and the ALN with EdTA.
Silvia Scaife
Auburn, Alabama
Dr. Silvia D. Scaife’s an accomplished educator in the Auburn City Schools System. where her experience extends beyond the K-12 spectrum. With more than 28 years of dedicated service and loyalty to education, her versatility and experiences have made an indelible footprint on the elementary, secondary, and administrative trail. She’s been named Teacher of the Year at every K-12 level. Currently serving as Director of Career and Technical Education for Auburn City Schools, Dr. Scaife knows the power of partnerships and true collaboration. Recently, Dr. Scaife was elected to be one of the vice presidents for Alabama’s Region 5 Workforce Development.
Cheryl Williams
Smithfield, Virginia
Cheryl J. Williams is the founder of CJ Williams Consultant, where she unites her work as a workshop leader, theatre artist, and professor. An award-winning educator and designer, she has taught theatre for over 30 years at universities including Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, and the University of Ghana, co-creating and chairing a BFA program atVirginia Union University. A seasoned theatre artist, Cheryl has worked extensively as a professional lighting and sound designer, director, production manager, and Equity stage manager. Her designs have been featured in theatres worldwide, and she also applies her expertise to industrial and interior projects.
Notice: Petition Process
Per the EdTA Code of Regulations, any voting member may petition to have their name placed on the ballot for EdTA director if the voting member has obtained a total of 15 signatures of other voting members representing at least three different chapters and has submitted that petition to the nominating committee at least 75 days before the date of the election closure.
Petitions must be received by December 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
How to Vote
Every EdTA adult member will receive a secure ballot by email when the election opens in early February. The ballot will be sent to the email address associated with your membership account. You’ll also receive email reminders to vote until your ballot is complete.
Watch your inbox!