Why’s It Gotta Be? Theater Group is committed to producing queer, diverse, challenging, uplifting, and fresh stories through theater that are accessible and affordable to connect our communities; to not only meeting but exceeding community expectations of the organization, and to providing opportunities to local performers, playwrights, and theater-makers to learn, work, and grow through fresh material.
For any time anyone’s been asked:
Why’s it gotta be __________?
Gay
Queer
Trans
New
Different
… And all the other “why’s it gotta be”s.
Our long-term goals include:
Purchase Sound and Lighting Equipment
Stipend Theater Makers and Artists
Produce In-House Film and Audio Productions
Secure a Permanent Space to Utilize for Performances and Rehearsals and to Outsource to Other Developing and Independent Artists
Devin Dumas
President / Secretary, he / they
Devin is excited to be heading the formation of Why’s It Gotta Be? Theater Group. With more than 10 years of combined theater and multimedia experience, and with an AS in Communications, Media, and Theater Arts; Devin is confident in providing positive leadership and organization to this new theater group. Devin is passionate about queer, diverse, and impactful storytelling; and having been able to tell those stories in previous work, he looks forward to maintaining a space to where people can consistently find those kinds of stories.
Isabella Bonavita
Vice President, she / her
WIGB means a lot to Bella as it’s a theater that speaks for what the community needs. Bella has worked in theater since middle school and has a BA in Theater Arts - it’s a magical world to be in. Bella is passionate about shows that have stories that need to be told in times like these: stories that can change lives and educate minds, that spread love to the world and not hate. They hope to see your support here and in the community.
Tommy Ciarla
Treasurer, he / him
Tommy feels that WIGB’s mission is an important one - not just for the people he cares about, but for the people of his surrounding communities to grow, understand, and connect with each other. He is confident that he will provide the support WIGB needs and is looking forward to helping the organization grow and getting fresh and exciting work to everyone.
Mal Sillars
Board Member, they / them
With more than 40 shows acted or directed under their belt, Mal Sillars is very excited to bring even more inclusive theater to the Connecticut River Valley. Theater has always been a safe place for exploration and communication, and they hope to share some of that magic with the community.
Adam Cormier / Giganta Smalls
Board Member
Adam Cormier, also known as Giganta Smalls, is a life long theatre artist hailing from the mystical realm of Connecticut. Adam started studying theatre at a young age and received their BFA in Theatre Education & Performance from Central CT State University. Since graduating in 2015, Adam has crafted the ethereal feminine divine spirit known as Giganta Smalls. They’ve been creating theatre both on and off stage for the past 14 years, bringing their love of performing arts and costume to audiences across New England! They are very excited to join WIGB’s board!
Julia Adamo
Board Member, she / her
Growing up, Julia found her voice through theater and storytelling. She graduated from Kenyon College with a BA in English, where her thesis focused on coming-of-age narratives of artists in contemporary American literature, and received her MA from Boston College. Julia sees storytelling as transformative for individuals and the arts as crucial for community building. She’s thrilled to be part of WIGB and work to create and foster greater inclusivity in the stories that are told onstage.
Damien McCarthy
Board Member, they / them
Damien is so grateful to be a part of WIGB as a board member. As a queer member of Western Massachusetts, the focus of WIGB resonated deeply with Damien’s goals of making theatre more inclusive. They currently study Musical Theatre Education at Hampshire College, and with more than 15 years of Theatre experience both on stage and off, Damien is fully dedicated to the arts and committed to always create an inclusive space for all.
Matthew Gover
Board Member, he / him
Matthew is a long-time studied actor with degrees around Communications, Acting, Speech, and Honors Studies around gender and food through Holyoke Community and UMass Amherst colleges. He has taken part in main-stage productions, 24-Hour Theater productions, and tackled competition pieces. He is ( I truly am) humbled and ecstatic to work with such a warm, buzzing, talented group of thespians and creatives. To become a Board Member of burgeoning theater and art is a goal of mine as yet untouched, and with this new Board role, I look forward to helping shape 'Why's It Gotta Be?'s biggest theatrical desires. Alternative Theater and Lesser-Done Spectaculars deserve a space on our Community Stages, and bringing these productions to life through any way of facilitation is the goal and greatest dream come true.
Emily Tyburski
Board Member, she / they
Throughout their life, Emily has always gravitated to expressive arts. Developing an early interest in theater in middle school, Emily has performed in experimental theater festivals, Shakespeare in the park, and was trained in acting and other performing arts modalities at Smith College, where she received her BA. Now a full-time museum professional and a proud member of WIGB’s Board of Directors, Emily is ecstatic to mix her arts background and utilize her skills to bring more fresh, queer, and experimental theater to the Valley.
Nicholas Canosa Albano
Board Member, he / him
An avid proponent of everything local, Nick is proud to be involved with WIGB. With roots in youth productions, returning to theater as an adult has been an enriching experience. He is committed to supporting the community of diverse voices that make up the Western Massachusetts artistic scene. The vision that Nick has for WIGB is focused on telling challenging and inclusive stories, and he is excited to work with other open-minded creators.
Click here to view our bylaws.