Serena Klosa
Alan Bresloff is a retired marketing executive and current host of Around the Town on WCPT820 a.m and www.aroundthetownchicago.com. He is a theater and dining reviewer in the greater Chicago area. Prior to being a reviewer, Alan performed many roles in both community theater and professional theater. Alan has been a fan of Special Gifts Theatre for many years and joined the board in 2023. He is passionate about the organization’s work to provide a great deal for the performer, the family and the general public, making it a positive experience for all involved.
Vice Chair
Retired Attorney
Chair
CPA
Elise Larsen has been part of the SGT staff since 2011 and Executive Director since 2017. She holds a master’s degree in Dance/ Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. She is proud to lead the dynamic and innovative team at Special Gifts Theatre with strategic direction and impact-driven results. Elise is passionate about increasing inclusion and accessibility in the performing arts for individuals with disabilities in Chicagoland.
Contact Elise L. to learn more about our mission and vision and how you can be part of our organization's impact.
Debbie Taus-Barth has been part of the SGT staff since 2008 and is the Program Operations Director where she is responsible for strengthening current programs and strategically leading the development of programs and services that meet the needs and wants for our participants and their families. Debbie believes in the power of the arts to inspire creativity and promote collaboration within the community. She has a passion for discovering the potential in others, highlighting their strengths while supporting them to be their best self on and off the stage. During her tenure at SGT, she has served as production manager, peer mentor coordinator, site supervisor, and teacher, in addition to founding the Creating Outside the Lines, SGT’s adult program. Debbie earned a liberal arts associate's degree from Wright College in Chicago and has enjoyed working with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities for over 40 years.
Contact Debbie for more information about our programs, registration process, performances, volunteering, and employment opportunities.
Elise Steffe has been part of the SGT staff since 2020, and leads the fundraising and marketing efforts. She has a bachelor’s degree in arts management and has built her career in nonprofit management and philanthropy, primarily in the arts and culture sector. She believes access to the arts is critical, and has focused on building a well balanced development program for SGT. Her goal is to align philanthropic investment with the strategic needs of expanding the mission and reach of SGT.
Contact Elise S. to learn more on how you can support SGT as a donor, business partner or a volunteer.
Gina Kapinos joined the SGT staff in 2017 as their Finance Manager. She brings many years of accounting experience from both the private and nonprofit sector's.
Contact Gina for assistance in anything finance related.
Dawn Goerger has been part of the SGT staff since 2017. She holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia College of Missouri. In her tenure with SGT she has held staff positions at the Palatine-Rolling Meadows program as a teacher and the Libertyville program as Peer Mentor Coordinator. Dawn is certified in Disability Inclusive Mentoring. In her current position as Program Support Coordinator, she is responsible for peer mentor recruitment, evaluation, enrollment, and training for all locations.
Contact Dawn to learn more about the peer mentor program.
Janet Czarnecki has been a part of the SGT staff since 2014. She began as a costumer for all locations and programs and joined the administrative team as a Programs Administrative Assistant in 2022. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University, Oxford, OH. She is also a parent of a son with Autism and he participates in multiple programs at SGT.
Maureen Brandwein returned to the SGT staff in 2023 as Program Operations Assistant and was previously an Educational Manager for the Musical Theatre Program from 2013-2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from Ohio University and a master’s degree in teaching from Ball State University and English as a second language endorsement. She has over a decade of teaching experience and has a passion for working with children with disabilities. As Program Operations Assistant she supports programs, performances, and community outreach initiatives.
Meg Wanland has been part of the SGT staff since 2008. She has been employed by Northbrook School District 27 for over two decades as part of the 4th grade resource support team. Having both theater and special education experience, SGT put her two passions together. She currently manages three SGT musical theater programs: Palatine-Rolling Meadows, Wilmette, and Winnetka.
Contact Meg to learn more about musical theatre programs.
Cheryl Griffin has been part of the SGT staff since 2014 and has been the Creating Outside the Lines Program Manager since 2022. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Bradley University and a master’s degree in educational technology from National Louis University. She is grateful to be part of an organization that provides accessible theatre opportunities to our adult community.
Contact Cheryl to learn more about being a part of our adult programming.
Brianna Lasaponara has been part of SGT staff since 2018 where she started in the teacher role. She now serves as the Program Educational Manager for the Chicago Musical Theatre Program (MTC). Within this role, Brianna leads the MTC students and staff to facilitate an educational and therapeutic musical theatre program and experience that is inclusive to all. Brianna has earned her bachelor's degree in special education from Illinois State University and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northeastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in education from Dominican University. She is currently the Special Education Lead Teacher at an elementary school in District 89.
Contact Brianna to learn more about the Musical Theatre Chicago program.
Valerie Van Roeyen has been part of the SGT staff since 2018 and the Program Educational Manager for the Libertyville Musical Theatre Program since 2023. She holds a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Fort Hays State University. She has been a Speech-Language Pathologist at Butterfield Elementary in Libertyville since 2017. She is proud to lead the Musical Theatre Libertyville (MTL) staff and ensure students receive the highest quality of educational and therapeutic theatrical experience. She coordinates and manages the program and staff working towards a final show.
Contact Valerie to learn more about the Musical Theatre Libertyville program.
