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JumpStart Theatre Update 46: 100% Sustainability

By Ginny Butsch posted 13 hours ago
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A program designed to build sustainable musical theatre programs in underserved middle schools that currently have none. This is a series of monthly updates about the  JumpStart Theatre  pilot program launched in Cincinnati, Ohio. To view previous updates,  click here .  100% Sustainability   The first class of JumpStart Theatre graduated last spring and all three produced a musical on their own this year. Kudos Finneytown, Gamble Montessori and Holmes! From left to right: Finneytown Middle School, The Little Mermaid JR., Gamble Montessori High School, James and the Giant Peach Jr ...
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JumpStart Theatre Update 45: The Highlight of the Year

By Ginny Butsch posted 14 hours ago
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A program designed to build sustainable musical theatre programs in underserved middle schools that currently have none. This is a series of monthly updates about the  JumpStart Theatre  pilot program launched in Cincinnati, Ohio. To view previous updates,  click here .  Curtain Up! March is an exciting month for JumpStart Theatre, as it marks the beginning of the school performances. Thousands of people attended JumpStart Theatre performances this month and thousands more will have their chance in April. Here's a peak into a few of the March performances.     ...
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JumpStart Theatre Update 44: Rehearsals Underway

By Ginny Butsch posted 14 hours ago
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A program designed to build sustainable musical theatre programs in underserved middle schools that currently have none. This is a series of monthly updates about the  JumpStart Theatre  pilot program launched in Cincinnati, Ohio. To view previous updates,  click here .  Rehearsals Underway Rehearsals at JumpStart Theatre schools in Cincinnati, San Diego, and St. Louis are well underway as they gear up for performances in the coming months. Clark Montessori, Cincinnati has been working on Annie JR. They’ve added an exciting dance element to their production-tapping! Their technical funding was used to purchase tap ...
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Grants Awarded to Fire-Impacted Schools, Funded by MTI

By EdTA News posted 2 days ago
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The Educational Theatre Foundation is pleased to announce that three California high schools damaged by last year’s fires will receive grants to aid their recovery thanks to a grant funded by licensing agency Music Theatre International ( MTI). The  2018 wildfire season  was the most destructive on record in  California , according to the  California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection  and the  National Interagency Fire Center . The MTI California Fire Relief Grants offers $1,000 grants to high school and middle school theatre programs in California that were negatively impacted by wildfires in 2018. Petaluma High School, impacted by the ...
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Advocacy Update: May 21, 2019

By Katie Ferchen posted 3 days ago
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EdTA Advocacy Update May 21, 2019   The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education.     EdTA NEWS Director and Choreographer Appointed to EdTA Board The Board of Directors of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) has appointed Jeff Whiting to a term on the Board from July, 2019 through June, 2023. 2019 International Thespian Festival Opening Show Celebrating Favorite Musicals The 2019 International Thespian Festival (ITF), the nation’s leading high school theatre festival, will kick off with a high-energy show featuring favorite musical numbers ...
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Director and Choreographer appointed to EdTA Board

By EdTA News posted 7 days ago
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The Board of Directors of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) has appointed Jeff Whiting to a term on the Board from July, 2019 through June, 2023. Whiting is a director and choreographer for theatre, opera, television, special events and concerts around the world and acclaimed as a ‘director with a joyous touch’ by the New York Times . His Broadway credits include: Bullets Over Broadway, Big Fish, The Scottsboro Boys, Hair, Young Frankenstein, and Wicked.  Whiting, also the creator and founder of Stage Write Software, the standard method for documenting choreography, and the Founding Artistic Director of The Open Jar Institute, a premiere ...
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Community Spotlight: Toni Thomas

By Ginny Butsch posted 10 days ago
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One of the main goals for our Theatre Education Community is to help theatre students and professionals from all over connect and identify with each other in order to build resources and support the theatre education field. We shine a spotlight on a different member every other week by conducting a simple interview. Our next spotlight is Toni Thomas, an English Teacher and Theatre Director at Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch, Michigan. Toni recently chartered Thespian Troupe 8775 at Ogemaw Heights this past fall and immediately jumped into the Community to begin offering support and advice to her fellow theatre educators. Why do you ...
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2019 International Thespian Festival Opening Show Celebrating Favorite Musicals

By EdTA News posted 15 days ago
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The 2019 International Thespian Festival (ITF), the nation’s leading high school theatre festival, will kick off with a high-energy show featuring favorite musical numbers from throughout the years at ITF and will feature a closing tribute number written especially for Thespians by legendary playwright, composer, and Thespian alum, Andrew Lippa.  ITF, produced by the  Educational Theatre Association  (EdTA),  celebrates student achievement in the performing arts. The 56th event, which this year takes place June 24-29, brings together more than 4,500 high school drama students and their teachers for a weeklong immersion in workshops; interaction with colleges, ...
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Advocacy Update: May 7, 2019

By Katie Ferchen posted 17 days ago
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EdTA Advocacy Update May 7, 2019   The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education.     EdTA NEWS Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman to Be Honored at School Theatre Benefit The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) will honor Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman with the Broadway Back to School Award, which recognizes the impact of key leaders in the theatrical industry and education in building access and excellence in school theatre. ( Broadway World ) Nine Area Schools to Celebrate Musical Theatre Achievements On April 30, The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT), ...
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Three Educators Recognized as 2019 Inspirational Theatre Educators

By EdTA News posted 17 days ago
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EdTA recognizes individuals who have inspired their students and dedicated themselves to providing quality theatre education with the Inspirational Theatre Educator Award. Veteran theatre educators and EdTA members Richard Fairchild , Rebekah Hess , and Alissa Vogelgesang will each receive this award at EdTA’s National Conference . Richard Fairchild of Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona, home to Thespian Troupe 320, was recognized in his nomination for his connection to students and dedication to their growth. He uses his own imagination to inspire creativity in the classroom, demonstrating the power and possibilities of theatre education. ...
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Five Educators to Be Inducted Into EdTA Hall of Fame

By EdTA News posted 18 days ago
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Each year, EdTA recognizes International Thespian Society  troupe directors, emeritus members, and other professional members who have dedicated themselves to the cause of theatre education for more than 20 years. Nominations for recognition are carefully reviewed by EdTA and are chosen using highly competitive criteria.The 2019 theatre educators to be inducted into the EdTA Hall of Fame include: James Thomas Bailey of Napa, California; Lynn Jensen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Tony Matthes of Edina, Minnesota; Jennifer Morgan-Beuchat of Leavenworth, Kansas; and Robert Fowler of Chesterfield, Missouri. Ceremonies will take place in New York City at ...
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2019 Send a Troupe to International Thespian Festival Grant Recipient Announced

By EdTA News posted 21 days ago
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Students from the Academy of the Pacific Rim in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, home to Thespian Troupe 6647, have been selected to attend the International Thespian Festival (ITF), thanks to the Educational Theatre Association ’s Send a Troupe to Festival grant. This prestigious grant will cover the troupe’s travel and registration expenses. The students of Troupe 6647 will represent the community’s growing theatre program along with more than 4,000 students from around the country and the world. The International Thespian Festival is a celebration of student achievement in the performing arts, produced by the Educational Theatre Association. The 56th event, ...
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Four Schools Named Outstanding in Theatre Education

By EdTA News posted 22 days ago
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The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) recognizes schools whose theatre programs exemplify and promote high standards of quality in educational theatre with the Outstanding School Award. This year only four schools in the nation were honored: James A. Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington; Leavenworth Senior High School in Leavenworth, Kansas; Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, Washington; and Woodmont High School in Piedmont, South Carolina. The James A. Garfield High School theatre program, home to Thespian Troupe 5417 under the direction of Stewart Hawk, was recognized for creating a professional and collaborative theatre ...
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Three Thespian Troupes Earn TIOS Outstanding Impact Awards

By EdTA News posted 23 days ago
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Theatre in Our Schools (TIOS) Month is a campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of theatre education and draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs for all students. While activities may take place any time, March is designated the official month for TIOS. The TIOS campaign is jointly sponsored nationally by the  American Alliance for Theatre & Education , the  Educational Theatre Association , and the  International Thespian Society . Thousands of students and theatre educators from hundreds of schools across the nation spread the word online, in their communities, school boards, and to elected officials, demonstrating ...
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Two Volunteers Recognized as Honorary Thespians

By EdTA News posted 24 days ago
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The International Thespian Society (ITS) annually recognizes up to three individuals who have gone above and beyond in their role as a volunteer. The Honorary Thespian of the Year Award honors those adults who have selflessly given their time and ability to help a Thespian or Junior Thespian troupe with set construction, chaperoning, fundraising, advocacy, and more. This year’s Honorary Thespians are Brent Kelderman , Math teacher and theatre volunteer for Millard West High School’s Thespian Troupe 5483; and Andy Turner , Junior High Project Lead the Way Teacher and theatre volunteer with Smith-Cotton High Schools’ Thespian Troupe 4261. Brent Kelderman ...
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Community Spotlight: Jill Campbell

By Ginny Butsch posted 24 days ago
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One of the main goals for our Theatre Education Community is to help theatre students and professionals from all over connect and identify with each other in order to build resources and support the theatre education field. We shine a spotlight on a different member every other week by conducting a simple interview.   Our next spotlight is Jill Campbell, a Gifted Support Teacher and troupe director at State College Area High School in State College, Pennsylvania, home to Thespian Troupe 5029. Jill serves on the Pennsylvania Thespians State Board and was part of the original group who helped us beta test Community in 2013. With over 25 years ...
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Three Administrators Recognized with the 2019 Administrator’s Award

By EdTA News posted 25 days ago
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The Educational Theatre Association recognizes outstanding individuals who have gone above and beyond in their role as a school administrator, demonstrating exemplary support for educational theatre. This year’s Administrator’s Awards go to: Jon Bullock , executive director, Redmond Proficiency Academy in Redmond, Oregon ; Paul Griep , principal, Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Arkansas; and Wade Norton , principal, Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, Missouri. ­­­­ Executive Director Jon Bullock at Redmond Proficiency Academy, home to Thespian Troupe 7715, has fostered the growth of the school’s theatre department. After the program lost its previous ...
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Next Generation Works 2019 Finalists Announced

By EdTA News posted 30 days ago
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Next Generation Works is a suite of programs designed to promote original writing by and for high school student members of the International Thespian Society (ITS). The programs include Thespian Musicalworks , Thespian Playworks , Thespian Filmworks , and Thespian Criticworks . Finalists are invited to attend the International Thespian Festival (ITF), where the student writers work with professional directors, dramaturgs, musical directors, and volunteer actors to present their short works before a live audience. We are pleased to announce the following finalists. Thespian Musicalworks finalists: Jared Goudsmit and Max Reinert ...
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Advocacy Update: April 23, 2019

By Katie Ferchen posted 04-23-2019
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EdTA Advocacy Update April 23, 2019   The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education.     EdTA NEWS EdTA Names Allison Dolan Chief Content Officer The Educational Theatre Association is pleased to announce that Allison Dolan has joined the organization as Chief Content Officer as of April 1. As CCO, Dolan will lead all content operations supporting EdTA’s mission.   STATE NEWS Got state theatre and other arts education news you want to share? Send it to Katie: kferchen@schooltheatre.org   California: Burbank Arts for All Changes Gala in Hopes ...
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Why I Didn't Want My Students to Do Summer Theater

By Suzanne Livesay posted 04-19-2019
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Why I Didn't Want My Students to Do Summer Theater My classroom career started and ended at a school in Orlando. I taught there twice, in the mid 90’s and then again from ‘08-‘14. In the early years, I grew the position from part time to full time and throughout both of my teaching stints worked to develop the strongest program possible. My other classroom teaching gigs had similar results. For better or worse, I took a lot of pride in everything the students and I had accomplished, often within the context of schools that had little respect, resources, or reverence for all that theater, or the Arts in general, afforded these kids, the school, and the ...
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