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New Board Terms Begin July 1

By EdTA News posted yesterday
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New members of the Board of Directors, elected by members of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) in March, begin their terms July 1. They will serve for three years. The new members of the Board of Directors are Erin Carr, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mark Drum, Astoria, New York. Joining them to start her term as an appointed member is Carolina Garcia of Los Angeles, California, who will serve for four years. Erin Carr  is a Thespian alum of Troupe 5433, St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati. An EdTA professional member, Carr is an independent theatre contractor who has served as a teaching artist for EdTA as well as a dozen nationally recognized theatre companies. ...
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Advocacy Update: June 30, 2020

By Leah Ball posted 2 days ago
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EdTA Advocacy Update June 30, 2020 The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education. STATE/PROVINCE NEWS Do you have state or province theatre or arts education news you want to share? Send it to Leah at lball@schooltheate.org British Columbia: Northern arts, culture and support during COVID-19 (Dawson Creek Mirror) Connecticut: Despite Phase Two Of Reopening, Connecticut Arts Organizations Still Struggling (Connecticut Public Radio) Indiana: Arts Commission Distributes CARES Relief Funds ( Inside INdiana Business ) Maine: ...
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Kansas Educator Recognized with Spirit of Thespis Award

By EdTA News posted 5 days ago
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Theatre teacher Greg Shaw has been honored with the International Thespian Society (ITS) Spirit of Thespis Award. A discretionary honor it may recognize up to three schools or individuals that, when faced with a serious challenge, demonstrated grace under pressure. Shaw is the Director of Theatre at Pittsburg High School in Kansas and serves as the director of Thespian Troupe 3149. He has taken numerous productions to Kansas Thespian Festival including the 2020 opening show Pippin , and to the International Thespian Festival including in 2019, Bring It On , the Kansas Thespians All State Musical. He also serves on the Kansas Thespians Board of Directors.  ...
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Introducing the 2020-21 International Thespian Officers

By EdTA News posted 6 days ago
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Six students have been elected to represent the student voice in the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) and International Thespian Society (ITS) as International Thespian Officers (ITO) for the 2020-21 school year. They are from Florida, Kansas, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington. These officers work year-round with EdTA staff, chapter leaders, and Thespians from across the globe to nurture strong student leaders, advocate for the arts, fundraise for accessibility, and create the best experience possible for students. ITO are elected by their peers who are members of the new International Thespian Student Leadership Council ...
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Thespians' Big Night--See the Thespys Showcase Live June 26

By EdTA News posted 7 days ago
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The International Thespian Excellence Awards, or Thespys™ for short, recognize the highest level of achievement in school theatre performance and technical theatre. The inaugural International Thespian Excellence Awards go to just 21 students in two countries, and seven states. This educational program (formerly National Individual Events) gives Thespians the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on prepared theatrical material and technical designs. Students who achieve overall Superiors at their chapter event and earn the top scores in their category at the International Thespian Festival earn International Thespian Excellence Awards. As ...
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North Carolina Educator Is Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year

By EdTA News posted 8 days ago
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Corey Mitchell, head of the musical theatre department of Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina is the recipient of the inaugural Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award presented by The ASCAP Foundation and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). The annual award recognizes the highest level of achievement for a high school or middle school musical theatre teacher and comes with a $5,000 cash prize. This prestigious award is made possible by a grant from the Annenberg Foundation made in honor of Stephen Schwartz. The award was presented personally by Stephen Schwartz and the award judges, lyricist/librettist ...
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EdTA Releases Guide for Reopening School Theatre Programs

By EdTA News posted 8 days ago
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The Educational Theatre Association has released its Recommendations for Reopening School Theatre Programs guide. Created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is intended to help schools nationwide decide how to best restart their theatre programs safely in the fall and into the future. Written by a team of EdTA staff and vetted by the organization’s Chapter directors national Board,  and  Advocacy Leadership Network, the Recommendations guide suggests protocols, specific advisories, and resources regarding live and virtual performance, curriculum, instruction, and resources, and includes an extensive list of documents that also offer guidance for restarting ...
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Community Spotlight: Cora Turlish

By Ginny Butsch posted 9 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 Cora Turlish, an EdTA professional member from Metuchen, New Jersey and the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Rutgers Preparatory School. Cora has been contributing thoughtful advice and generating meaningful dialogue in Community for the last several years. Why do you believe theatre is important? ...
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Three Thespian Troupes Earn TIOS Outstanding Impact Awards

By EdTA News posted 14 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 , 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 elected officials, demonstrating how their ...
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Advocacy Update: June 16, 2020

By Leah Ball posted 16 days ago
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EdTA Advocacy Update June 16, 2020 The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education. STATE/PROVINCE NEWS Do you have state or province theatre or arts education news you want to share? Send it to Leah at lball@schooltheate.org Alabama: More arts education is coming to rural students in North Alabama (WHNT News 19) Alaska: $1,500 Arts & Culture Emergency Relief COVID-19 Grant For Alaska Artists (Anchorage Press) Arizona: Arizona Citizens for the Arts Urges Governor Ducey to Restore Arts Funding to Budget (BroadwayWorld Arizona) ...
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Melba Day Henning Theatre Education Scholarship Awarded to MFA in Directing Candidate Hector Pascual Alvarez

By EdTA News posted 17 days ago
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The Educational Theatre Association , (EdTA) annually awards the Melba Day Henning Theatre Education Scholarship to a student who is working toward a career in theatre education. This scholarship is funded by a bequest from veteran theatre educator Melba Day Henning, who was a member of the first class inducted into the EdTA Hall of Fame in 1991 for her leadership at the local, chapter, and national levels, including serving as president of the EdTA Board. This year’s 2020 recipient is Hector Pascual Alvarez ,Chicago, Illinois. Alvarez is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Directing, at California Institute of the Arts. His passion for theatre ...
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Six Thespians Awarded Scholarships Funded by EdTA Leaders

By EdTA News posted 17 days ago
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Students who are members of the International Thespian Society (ITS) from California, Georgia, Kansas, Oregon, and Texas will be financially assisted in their college studies thanks to scholarships established by the leaders of EdTA. The scholarships are for a variety of areas of theatre-related study including technical theatre, theatre education, marketing, student achievement, and leadership. The Educational Theatre Association Presidents’ Leadership Scholarship is created with donations from past and current EdTA board presidents. This scholarship is for inducted Thespians who successfully demonstrate leadership abilities. The 2020 recipients are Anna ...
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Andrew Lloyd Webber Joining Celebrities Addressing Students at Virtual International Thespian Festival

By EdTA News posted 17 days ago
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Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony-award (EGOT) winner and legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is joining the lineup for the Virtual International Thespian Festival . Lloyd Webber will share insider tips and inspiration with students.  The virtual edition of the renowned International Thespian Festival (ITF), taking place June 22-26, features performances of the best high school theatre of the year from across the country, plus more than 50 workshops, 25 celebrity guests, a college fair with 45 schools, and more. Brittney Mack, who plays Anna of Cleves from the cast of SIX, will host a Q&A with students. SIX was set to open on Broadway the ...
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EdTA and USITT Launch High School Technical Theatre Exam Pilot

By EdTA News posted 20 days ago
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The Educational Theatre Association(EdTA) and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) are collaborating to launch the BACKstage Technical Theatre Pilot Exam, a digital test for high school students designed to measure their competency in a broad range of technical theatre knowledge. The joint effort is the first partnership of the two national theatre organizations, both of which are committed to life-long learning in the field of theatre. The BACKstage pilot exam also includes the support of the California and New Jersey Departments of Education, two states with a strong Career and Technical Education presence in theatre. The BACKstage ...
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Diversity at Center Stage at Virtual International Thespian Festival

By EdTA News posted 21 days ago
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The virtual edition of the one-and-only International Thespian Festival (ITF), taking place June 22-26, is addressing current diversity and inclusion topics in its comprehensive program of workshops and general sessions .   The 60 hours of programming over five days also features performances of the best high school theatre of the year from across the country, plus more than 50 workshops, 25 celebrity guests, and a college fair with 45 schools. Black artists will headline the opening ceremonies. Michael James Scott will host the festival kickoff event, with Kenny Leon addressing racial equity in an inspiring keynote ...
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Community Spotlight: Rebecca Black

By Ginny Butsch posted 23 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 Rebecca Black, a theatre teacher and Thespian troupe director at Wayland Union High School in Wayland, Michigan, home to Troupe 8664. Rebecca has been providing sage advice to fellow community members on topics like community service projects, script selection, building school improv troupes and more.   Why do you ...
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Seven Students Awarded Send a Leader Diversity Grant for International Thespian Festival

By EdTA News posted 24 days ago
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Students who are inducted members of ITS received awards to attend this year’s Virtual International Thespian Festival (ITF) thanks to the newly created Broadway Licensing’s Send a Leader Diversity Grant. These grants are awarded to student Thespians traditionally underrepresented in student leadership and who have experience in diversity-based leadership, service, and social justice activities. The 2020 recipients include: Marissa Barker of Copperas Cove, Texas; Tavis Cunningham of Raeford, North Carolina; Jeyna Lynn Gonzales of Panama City Beach, Florida, Sara Gushue of Simpsonville, South Carolina; Cameron Holder of Greensboro, North Carolina ; ...
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Change to Code of Regulations to Permit Electronic Attendance at EdTA National Board Meetings Passed

By EdTA News posted 30 days ago
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In light of the travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic a change was proposed to  the code of regulations permitting electronic attendance at meetings for members of the national Board. It was voted upon according to the regulations, and it passed.  The code now reads: Section 4.14.   Attendance Through Electronic Communication Platforms . Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held through electronic communication platforms if all persons so participating can hear each other or contemporaneously communicate with each other. Such participation shall constitute presence at such meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at least two meetings ...
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Advocacy Update: June 1, 2020

By Leah Ball posted 06-01-2020
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EdTA Advocacy Update June 1, 2020 The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education. STATE NEWS Do you have state or province theatre or arts education news you want to share? Send it to Leah at lball@schooltheate.org   Arizona: Phoenix Approves $2.6 Million In Coronavirus Relief For The Arts (KJZZ) Arkansas: Grants up to $15,000 targeting arts groups (Arkansas Democrat Gazette) California: California Arts Advocates Make Case for Artists as 'Second Responders' to Pandemic (KQED) Hawaii: New survey outlines Covid's impact ...
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Pasek, Paul, Stars in the House Join Growing Virtual ITF Marquee

By EdTA News posted 05-29-2020
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Benanti, Colella, Fitzgerald White, Hilty, Pasek, Paul Sign on to Be with Theatre Students— Joining Tina Fey, Dolly Parton, Stephen Schwartz Tony, Oscar, and Grammy winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul will chat with students participating in the Virtual International Thespian Festival (ITF) about their path to success, from Dogfight to James and the Giant Peach to the enormously popular Dear Evan Hansen . The dialogue will be moderated by Timothy Allen McDonald , Founder and CEO of iTheatrics. SiriusXM On Broadway’s Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley will host the debut of the International Thespian Excellence Awards ...
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