iTheatrics
A Two-Day Training Session presented by the iTheatrics Team
When: July 10 – 11, 2025
Where: Naperville, Illinois
Cindy Ripley
Cindy Ripley, a nationally recognized educational consultant, is a passionate advocate for musical theater in public schools. With decades of classroom experience, she specializes in empowering teachers and students—many with little to no theater background—to bring the magic of Broadway to their school stages. She piloted the first-ever Broadway Junior production (Annie JR.) and used that experience to develop the Broadway Junior Director’s Guide, a vital resource for educators nationwide.
A tireless champion for arts education, Cindy wears many hats. She can be found advising a public school teacher in a rural district on how to stage Guys and Dolls JR., piloting new educational materials as the Master Teacher of iTheatrics in NYC, or leading professional development workshops designed specifically for public school educators. She played a key role in developing the MTI/EDTA JumpStart Theatre pilot program, which provides underserved middle schools with the tools and training to build sustainable theater programs, and has presented for the President’s Commission on the Arts.
Honored as a USA Today’s All-Star Teacher Team member, Cindy brings boundless enthusiasm and unmatched expertise to everything she does. Whether she’s coaching a first-time performer in Finding Nemo KIDS, presenting at the Kennedy Center, or co-authoring The iTheatrics Method, her impact on public school theater education is unparalleled.
Cindy fervently believes that all students deserve access to high-quality arts education regardless of background or resources. Her passion for equity and excellence in public school theater is her trademark, as she works to celebrate the creativity and spirit within every child.
Mary-Catherine Chambliss
Mary-Catherine’s passion for musical theatre education has been a lifelong journey, shaped by a deep love for storytelling and the power of the arts to inspire change. As a student at the very first Junior Theater Festival, she had the opportunity to connect with iTheatrics—an experience that helped lay the foundation for her future in theatre education. Since then, she has dedicated her career to fostering creativity in students of all ages, working across children’s theatre, public school classrooms, and arts administration. No matter the setting, her mission remains the same: to create accessible, engaging, and meaningful theatrical experiences that make the world a better place—one musical at a time.
For over 20 years, Mary-Catherine collaborated with iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Festival before officially joining as Director of Education. In this role, she develops national and international educational initiatives, partners with organizations like the Shubert Foundation/NYC Department of Education and JumpStart Theatre, and oversees curriculum development for Broadway Junior ShowKits. She also directs and choreographs for the iTheatrics Academy, produces the iTheatrics Annual Professional Development, and creates Broadway Study Guides for productions such as & Juliet, Water for Elephants, Back to the Future, and Hell’s Kitchen.
Before iTheatrics, Mary-Catherine gained extensive experience in theatre education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education from Troy University, where she was a founding staff member of Summer Spotlight, an arts program that continues to thrive. She taught at Lexington Children’s Theatre and later developed curriculum for the Muscogee County Board of Education while directing Blackmon Road Middle School’s Theatre Program, where she was named New Teacher of the Year. Her passion for arts education led her to New York City, where she became Manhattan Youth’s Education Director—all while earning her Master’s in Theatre Education from Columbus State University. Through every role, she remains committed to empowering students, educators, and communities through the magic of musical theatre.
Join the team behind The iTheatrics Method: The Quintessential Guide to Creating Quality Musical Theatre Programs for an unforgettable training experience! Designed for both seasoned directors and those new to musical theatre education, this professional development opportunity immerses you in innovative, experiential techniques that will elevate every aspect of your production process.
Perfect for educators passionate about storytelling, sustainability, and student empowerment, this event features a dynamic, evolving curriculum to keep you at the forefront of musical theatre education. Connect with a vibrant community of like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and build lasting mentorships while earning 15 hours of professional development credentials.
Whether you’re honing your craft or exploring fresh methods, you’ll leave inspired, energized, and fully equipped to lead your next production with confidence and creativity. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your skills to the next level with the team behind The iTheatrics Method!
Enrollment in this certification track includes:
- A reserved seat at an invitation-only workshop for a potential new Broadway Junior® show
- Certification for 15 hours of interactive workshops
- One physical copy of the book, The iTheatrics Method: The Quintessential Guide to Creating Quality Musical Theatre Programs
- Access to one-on-one conversations with iTheatrics authors
- Includes train transportation to Friday evenings theatre performance in Downtown Chicago.
- Tickets to Summer Institute Concert:
Mark Miller and Friends - Tickets to Summer Institute Concert:
Jason Max Ferdinand Singers - Entrance to “Beer and Hymns” with Tony Alonso
Cost: $275
Required Text
Included with your registration for the iTheatrics teaching track
The iTheatrics Method is the world’s first musical theatre education textbook specifically devoted to building high-quality, sustainable musical theatre programs in schools and community settings.
This book will be used as reference during this teaching track. A copy of the book is included with your registration costs and your copy can be picked up at the Summer Institute Registration desk on the first day of this track.
Conference Add-Ons
This certification course is a part of the Summer Music Institute and will be held on the campus of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.
Additional options for campus accommodations and dining will be available when registering.
Detailed information and instructions are listed below for each option. Add them to your order when checking out to include them in your registration.
Dorm Room Occupancy
$50 per night (Double opccupancy)
$100 per night (single stay)
To order a double occupancy room, you must have a roommate. If you do not have a roommate, you must select single occupancy and pay the full fee. Dorm room accommodations require you to bring your own bedding. Bathrooms are shared on each floor. Dorm is air-conditioned and an elevator is available.
You will receive an additional email from the Summer Music Institute with more information regarding your dorm room and you will be required to indicate who your roommate is at that time. Dorm rooms must be ordered by May 31, 2025.
Campus Dining Service
$70 ($35 per day)
Campus dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Numerous food options are available through the North Central College cafeteria.
This additional meal plan will cover your meals throughout all 3 days of the Summer Music Institute and will be within walking distance of all workshops and events.
Summer Music Institute One Day Pass
The iTheatrics two-day training session takes place on the second full day of the Summer Music Institute. Come a day early and experience some of the offerings at a reduced rate!
Participate in some wonderfully scheduled workshops on July 9, 2025 including master conducting classes by Jason Max Ferdinand, a keynote address from Scott Edgar, a talk highlighting women on the podium by Cheryl Frazes Hill, and join us for Mark Mill in concert and “Beer and Hymns” with Tony Alonso!