Our story

Connected | Collaborative | Enduring

Originally formed in 1978 as the International Schools Theatre Association, ISTA is now synonymous with global learning through the arts.

A legacy of innovation and collaboration

What began as a single high school theatre festival has grown into a global community of young people, educators, and artists exploring creativity through theatre, film, dance, and storytelling. For nearly 50 years, ISTA has remained non-competitive and ensemble-driven, fostering collaboration, play, and artistic discovery. Today, we produce over 60 international festivals, workshops, and training events each year, inspiring thousands around the world.

From Vision to Global Impact

Founded by Pat Zich, ISTA was born from a desire to create a truly international space for artistic collaboration and intercultural understanding. By the 1980s, it was pioneering ensemble-based, devised theatre festivals. These establishing values are still central to our work today.

Under the steadfast leadership of Sally Robertson (Executive Director 2001-2021), ISTA grew to embrace a broader spectrum of the arts—including film, dance, and interdisciplinary storytelling—ensuring young people and educators have access to diverse, immersive, and transformative experiences.

ISTA and the International Baccalaureate (IB)

Since the early 2000s, ISTA has proudly served as the official global provider of accredited IB DP Theatre teacher workshops.

Our role is expanding to include professional development for Film, Dance, and MYP Arts, as well as IB-aligned student events that offer young people opportunities to explore, create, and reflect in ensemble-based settings. We have also partnered with the IB to co-design workshops, co-publish official DP Arts student handbooks, and develop teacher support materials for the IB Exchange platform.

ISTA Honorary Members

Honorary Membership is awarded to individuals who have made a significant, lasting impact on our organisation and the wider arts education community. These individuals have shaped ISTA’s journey through their leadership, artistic contributions, and dedication to inspiring young people, educators, and artists worldwide.

Anne Drouet

Anne first experienced ISTA at a high school festival in Cairo in 2006 and has since held multiple roles, including ensemble leader, artistic director, and trustee. She founded ISTA’s first performing arts academy in Shanghai.

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Fenella Kelly

A part of ISTA since 1998, Fenella has worked as an ensemble leader, artistic director, and DP Theatre teacher trainer. She has hosted festivals across four continents, led artist residencies, and played a key role in developing ISTA’s online teaching model during the pandemic.

David Lightbody

David joined ISTA in 1997 and spent 16 years as an ensemble leader, festival artistic director, trustee, and later, president. His work with ISTA interweaves both his professional theatre career and personal journey, taking him to arts events worldwide.

Mike Pasternak

Mike has been involved with ISTA since 1978 and served as President from 1994 to 2004, helping establish ISTA as the official IB global provider for DP Theatre. His leadership played a key role in ISTA’s international growth.

Ian Pike

An ISTA artist since 1993, Ian attended numerous festivals before joining the Board of Trustees, where he served as Vice President. He also worked as a staff member of the ISTA team between 2015 and 2020.

Sherri Sutton

Sherri has been instrumental in ISTA’s artistic and educational development, working across student events, masterclasses, and productions. She considers her experiences within the ISTA ensemble to be among the most rewarding of her career.

Iain Stirling

Iain first encountered ISTA as a DP English teacher and later hosted some of Asia’s first ISTA festivals. He served as Board Chair from 2011 to 2019, focusing on developing ISTA’s policies and global expansion.

Carla Weiss

Carla joined ISTA in 1987, initially as a festival artist, before helping guide the transition from founder Pat Zich to CEO Sally Robertson. She has also supported ISTA in expanding our presence in the Americas.

In Memoriam

We honour the memory of ISTA Honorary Members who are no longer with us—individuals whose spirit, creativity, and vision continue to shape our work today. Their legacy lives on in the thousands of young people, educators, and artists they inspired, and in the enduring impact they had on ISTA and the global arts education community.

Dinos Aristidou (1966-2023)

Dinos joined ISTA in 1990 and played a pivotal role in shaping its artistic vision over three decades. He served as President, Executive Director, and a key IB Theatre specialist, inspiring countless young artists and educators worldwide.

Doug Bishop (1950-2010)

Doug was involved with ISTA for over 30 years, hosting festivals and serving on the Board of Trustees. He was instrumental in establishing ISTA’s presence in Asia, shaping the organisation’s international reach.

Ted Miltenberger (1945-2015)

A founding father of ISTA, Ted was a champion of the ensemble model, helping to shape the ISTA approach to theatre-making. His work in Milan, Paris, and Michigan State University left a lasting legacy.

ISTA's legacy lives not only in our history, but on the thousands of
people who continue to shape it