As we celebrate the conclusion of the summer 2025 season, company members will have the opportunity to vote for four members of the Board of Directors to take office January 1, 2026 for a three-year term. You must be a member of the company in good standing and at least 18 years of age in order to cast a vote.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the financial, legal, regulatory, and contractual affairs of Corn Stock Theatre. Their job is to make certain the organization is fiscally stable and compliant with all laws and restrictions of operation. It is a huge responsibility and not always fun!
Jes King has served an elected three year term and is being recommended for election to a second three-year term. Five additional candidates are eligible for their own three-year term. There were a number of talented individuals interested in serving on the Board and all were reviewed carefully and with gratitude for their interest. The committee felt that these six had the blend of expertise and experience that would best serve the theatre at this time.
Please review the statements of the six candidates below. Thank you.
Aliesha Graves, Michelle Tipsword, Amy Glass, Sarah Beth Leasor, and Aaron Wargo; Nominating Committee
The Corn Stock Membership will vote on the following six candidates to join or renew their spot on the Board of Directors. Members will vote via electronic ballot from September 3-9th at 6pm. If you are a member in good standing you will receive an email on September 2nd with a link to vote. If you do not receive an email and you believe you are a member in good standing, please email Theatre Manager, Kenney Delaney, at manager@cornstocktheatre.com
Jes King
Jes King is an incumbent board member who has served on the Corn Stock Board of Directors since July 2022. During her term, she has served as chair for the Awards and Scholarship and Long-Range Planning Committees. Jes currently serves on the Social/membership and Summer Selection Committees. Prior to her board service, Jes also served as the chair of the Summer Selection committee. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Nonprofit Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, both from Bradley University.
Jes began her involvement with Corn Stock Theatre in 2013 when she was cast in Evil Dead: The Musical. She has since performed both at the Tent and in the Lab in productions of Grease, Sugar: The Some Like It Hot Musical, Spitfire Grill, and Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson. In 2017 Jes began working backstage, first as a crew member for Parade, and then later in props. Her work has been seen in Mary Poppins, The Bridges of Madison County, Nine, and Oklahoma! This year she will also be on the crew for Bugsy Malone and The 39 Steps. “I love Corn Stock Theatre, it is my second home and a place where I feel I can be myself. I would love to continue to serve on the Corn Stock Board of Directors to ensure our theatre provides opportunities for performers and entertainment for the community that loves and supports us, while planning for the future of this great organization.”
Trish Ballard
Trish Ballard has been a member of Corn Stock Theatre since 2010. She was a teacher for 35 years and has been involved with numerous productions both on and off stage. Volunteering in other ways has been such a fun and fulfilling part of being a CST member. She has served on the Lab, Corn Stock for Kids, Social, Nominating, Awards (chair), and Play Selection (chair) committees along with being a board member at CST for two terms. “Corn Stock Theatre is where I've made the most amazing friendships and I consider CST to be my home away from home!”
Bill Barr
“Everything i did in life that was worth while, I caught hell for.” - Earl Waren
William (Captain Bill) Barr was Midwest raised, with strong work ethic and commitment to do what’s right and what makes sense. He spent the last 25 years involved in the Peoria theater scene. Partnering with both CST and PPT he has been fortunate to serve on both theaters Board of Director. His philosophy is simple, “just do it.” He is a hands on participant and energized by the passion of others.
He spent 36 years in sales and marketing which he can use the skills he learned in his work life, and use them as a Board member. Bill will bring: Energy, Passion, Creativity, Business Savvy, Leadership, Hands On Work Ethic, and most importantly fun. He always tell the cast and crews that he has had the good fortune to work with, “if your not having fun”, then let me solve that for you.”
His professional career includes experience in a variety of businesses; Construction, Florist, Radio, Pharmaceutical Sales, Health and Beauty Aides, Food Sales and Marketing, Life Coach, Public Speaker, Wedding Officiant, Emcee, New Product Introduction Teams, Budget Management, Leadership and Mentoring.
His recent theatrical work include both on stage and backstage experience. Bill’s first love is Stage Managing because it allows me to be a part of the full production process. People ask him, “so what does a stage manager do?” “Well, I START THE SHOW! And that is what I will bring to this incredible theater family. Thank you for considering me as your next Board Member.”
Susan Hazzard
Susan is honored to be nominated for the Board of Directors at Corn Stock Theatre.
For nearly two decades, theater has been an important part of her life, both on stage and behind the scenes. Her journey began in 2006 with Brighton Beach Memoirs, and since then, she has served throughout community theater as an actor, stage manager, director and committee member.
In addition to directing Baskerville at Corn Stock in 2019, she has also directed four productions at Peoria Players Theatre, including Steel Magnolias and The Play That Goes Wrong. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Western Illinois University and brings not only artistic experience but also proven leadership, having previously served six years on the Board of Directors at Peoria Players Theatre.
Currently, Susan serves on Corn Stock’s Marketing Committee, where, for the past four years, she has contributed to growing audience engagement and strengthen community connections. Her passion for live theatre, combined with her experience in both creative and organizational leadership, has prepared her to serve Corn Stock with vision, dedication and collaboration.
“I want to make sure Corn Stock continues to thrive and engage audiences for years to come.”
Alex Sherbeyn
Alex Sherbeyn is a nurse by background with over 15 years of experience in healthcare, including the past 8 years in leadership roles. He currently serves as the Director of Quality and Safety at OSF HealthCare, overseeing initiatives across the Medical Group and Home Care divisions. Alex holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice with a focus on leadership, a Master’s in Nursing Education, and is a board-certified Nurse Executive.
Alex is married to Trent Helgren, and together they share their home with two dogs and a cat. Both Alex and Trent have been actively involved with Corn Stock Theater and have developed a deep appreciation for its role in enriching the Peoria community. They believe strongly in the power of the arts to bring people together, inspire creativity, and strengthen local culture.
With a strong foundation in strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, and team development, Alex is passionate about applying these skills to support the mission and growth of Corn Stock Theater. He believes in the power of community arts and is eager to contribute to the theater’s continued success through thoughtful governance, collaboration, and innovation.
Blake Stubbs
Blake is a longtime marketing professional, working for the Uftring Auto Group as their in-house Video and Content Producer for the past seven years. When he isn’t standing behind the camera directing and editing TV commercials and social media content, he can occasionally be heard on the airwaves of WGN 720AM out of Chicago providing film reviews and entertainment reporting. A lifelong Central Illinois native, Blake has been involved with Corn Stock Theatre dating all the way back to 2004, when he volunteered to work backstage crew on his first production before heading off to college.
After graduation from The University of Illinois, he moved back to Peoria and went to work for Corn Stock as the organization’s Technical Director for two years before pursuing a career in marketing full-time. This did not deter his involvement with Corn Stock! Over the years, he has served on The Board of Directors, Winter Selection Committee, served as one of the organization’s photographers (alongside Jenny Parkhurst), worked backstage on dozens of productions, and in the last few years returned to acting and directing for CST.
If given the opportunity to serve once again on CST’s Board of Directors, Blake would be returning as a more seasoned veteran of the organization with a particular focus on utilizing his professional marketing expertise to assist in the continuing efforts to grow our audience and enhance the CST brand throughout the Central Illinois area.
