EdTA
Email Blast January 26th, 2009
Disney VP appointed to EdTA Board of Directors
Matt Conover, vice president of entertainment at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California and Thespian alumnus, has been appointed to the EdTA Board of Directors. He was appointed to fill the remainder of the term of board director Paul Leopoulos, who resigned to devote more time to the operation of his family-run foundation, The THEA Foundation. We welcome Mr. Conover to the board and thank Mr. Leopoulos for his service as a board director. To find out more, visit the EdTA News webpage.
Call for vitae for upcoming EdTA Board of Directors vacancy
The nominating committee of the EdTA Board of Directors is accepting vitae from qualified members for a seat on the board. The deadline for submitting a vita to be considered for nomination is February 27, 2009. The election will be held during the 2009 EdTA Annual Conference, which takes place September 10–13 in Anaheim, California. Click here to read the entire story or to download the nominee selection matrix and a board director vita form.
February 20 is the registration deadline for the 2009 Junior Thespian Festival–West
Join us March 20–22 at the second regional Junior Festival this year at Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, Arizona. Visit the Junior Festival webpage to find out more about this unique event.
DEADLINE ALERTS
Don't let the following opportunities pass your students by because of a missed deadline! The following deadlines are "received by" dates.
DEADLINE: Monday, February 2 for 2009 Thespian Playworks submissions
Click here to download the Playworks submission guidelines
DEADLINE: Monday, February 2 for the following scholarship and grant applications
By the end of the business day on Monday, February 2, we need to receive applications for the following scholarships and grants:
• The Jhon Marshall/ITO Outstanding Student Achievement and Outstanding Student Technical Achievement Scholarships
• The Bob and Marti Fowler/Practical Technical Theater Scholarship
• The Yeatman Technical Theatre Scholarship
• The Doug Finney Festival Grant
• The Ronald Longstreth International Thespian Festival Grant
Click on each scholarship or grant name to download a PDF of the application form.
DEADLINE: Monday, February 2 for the 2009 Arts Advocacy Day essay contest. Click here to download the essay guidelines.
And don't let an outstanding administrator, EdTA member, or theatre program go unnoticed…
DEADLINE: Monday, February 16 for EdTA Awards
The following award nomination applications are due at the EdTA Home Office by the end of the business day on Monday, February 16:
• The EdTA Administrator's Award
• The EdTA Outstanding School Award
• The EdTA Hall of Fame Award
Information and nomination forms can be found on the EdTA Awards webpage.
Quick list of deadlines
Monday, February 2
• 2009 Thespian Playworks submissions
• 2009 Arts Advocacy Day essays
• The Jhon Marshall/ITO Outstanding Student Achievement and Outstanding Student Technical Achievement Scholarships
• The Bob and Marti Fowler/Practical Technical Theater Scholarship
• The Yeatman Technical Theatre Scholarship
• The Doug Finney Festival Grant
• The Ronald Longstreth International Thespian Festival Grant
Monday, February 16
• The EdTA Administrator's Award nominations
• The EdTA Outstanding School Award nominations
• The EdTA Hall of Fame Award nominations
Friday, February 20
• Junior Thespian Festival–West registration deadlineEmail Blast October 10th, 2008
Norton, Martin elected to EdTA Board of Directors
Elections for two open positions on the EdTA Board of Directors was held during the annual member meeting on Saturday, September 27. Joe Norton of New York was elected EdTA board vice president and Ben Martin of Missouri was elected to a three-year term as a board director. Both will begin their terms of office on August 1, 2009. To find out more about the election, visit the News section of the EdTA website.
Also during this meeting, the change to the Code of Regulations for the nomination procedure for board directors and chapter directors was approved.
New membership type—Affiliate Professional memberships—now available
Adults who assist Thespian troupe directors and provide other services that contribute to the success of the theatre program in a Thespian school are now eligible to become Affiliate Professional members of EdTA at a special reduced rate under a newly developed membership option. Click here to find out more or to download the Affiliate Professional membership application.
Please note that this is not a "Troupe co-director" membership. While we applaud the service of locally appointed Troupe co-directors and assistant directors, the EdTA Code of Regulations only recognizes one official liaison between the school and EdTA: the individual Troupe director appointed by the school administration. Affiliate members and Troupe directors enjoy identical member benefits, but only Troupe directors have official Troupe leadership authority to approve inductions, order Thespian honor items and awards, and make financial obligations on behalf of the troupe.
Welcome new International Thespian Officers
At the 2008 International Thespian Festival, six new International Thespian Officers (ITO) were elected to act as the "student voice" of ITS. This year we welcome:
· ITO Chair: Aimée Garcia, South Forsyth HS, Troupe 5362, Cumming, GA
· ITO Webmaster: Cody Campbell, Valley View HS, Troupe 7074, Jonesboro, AR
· ITO Region I Representative: Justin Tinker, Coronado HS, Troupe 6477, Henderson, NV
· ITO Region II Represenative: Chelsi DeTurk, Salina (KS) High School Center, Troupe 639
· ITO Region III Representative: Hannah Bryson, Forsyth Central HS, Troupe 3064, Cumming, GA
· ITO Region IV Representative: Anna Sebastino, Drury HS, Troupe 5135, Adams, MA
We also thank Mr. Terry McGonigle (Las Vegas Academy, Troupe 5273) who continues to serve as the ITO Adult Adviser.
The ITO had their goal-setting meeting September 19-22 in New York and represented the Association at the 2008 Broadway Cares/Equity Fight AIDS Annual Flea Market. To learn more about the individual officers, the responsibilities of their position, and review the September meeting minutes, visit the ITO website.
An important deadline: TOTS-EAT 2008 campaign registration deadline eerily close
Just to stop the bad puns, you should register for the 2008 Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat campaign. October 15 is the deadline to be eligible for individual troupe and chapter awards along with the drawing for one of ten $100 gift certificates good for items in the EdTA Resources, Thespian Honors, and Thespian Trophy catalogs and the EdTA Online Store. Our goal is to register at least 300 troupes and collect more than 300,000 pounds of food, so register today.
An even more important deadline: Troupe renewals for 2008-2009
Annual troupe dues renewals for 2008-2009 must be received at the Home Office by Wednesday, October 15. After this day, troupes who have not paid their troupe renewals will have their benefits suspended. And if your renewal dues are still not received by Saturday, November 15, the troupe's membership will be withdrawn, requiring an additional $65 fee to reinstate your troupe to active status. Avoid the hassle of reinstating your troupe and mail in your renewal ASAP or easily make your payment online.
Target offering field trip grants
Target is offering 5,000 grants of up to $800 to educators who want to take their classes on a field trip. Complete information, including eligibility requirements and application procedures are availiable on the Target website.
QUICK HITS
· Troupe Update forms should be sent in as soon as possible so that we confirm your troupe's contact information
· October 16 is the date for "A Free Night of Theatre," a national program of the Theatre Communications Group.
· The Fall EdTA Resources supplement will be hitting your mailboxes in the next week or so. We have added 20 new products in this edition.
Upcoming Educational Events
2009 Junior Festivals
Adventures in Theatre
Junior Festival—East
Tupelo Middle School
Tupelo, Mississippi
February 6-8
Junior Festival—West
Estrella Foothills High School
Goodyear, Arizona
March 20-22
2009 International Thespian Festival
The Experiences of Life. The Life of Experiences.
University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
June 22-27
2009 EdTA Annual Conference
The Power of Leadership: Shaping the Future of Theatre Education
Anaheim Marriott
Anaheim, California
September 10-13 Educational Theatre Association | 2343 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Email Blast September 1st, 2008
Two new code changes under consideration
The EdTA Board of Directors met August 22-23 and proposed two amendments to the EdTA Code of Regulations.
The first proposed amendment changes the nomination procedure for Chapter Directors and promotes Chapter boards to have a more active role in developing future leaders. These changes are in response to a recommendation forwarded by current Chapter Directors at a leadership summit held in July.
The second proposal changes the number of names that the Nominating Committee can forward for EdTA Board Director candidates. The current code states that the committee will present "one nomination for each EdTA officer and elected director vacancy" for election. The recommended change will allow the committee to place two names for consideration if more than one candidate meets the selection matrix for nominees prepared by the board.
To find out more about these changes and read the specific wording, visit the News section of the EdTA website.
Online request form for Absentee Ballots reopened
Due to the important nature of the changes to the Code of Regulations, the online request for absentee ballots will be re-opened until Saturday, September 6 at 5:00 EDT. Click here to request your Absentee Ballot.
Just a reminder that the issues under consideration are the two changes to the Code (see above) and the election of a Vice President and Board Director. Absentee ballots must be received back at the EdTA Home Office by Wednesday, September 17 to be valid.
Later this week: Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat information and campaign sign-up begins.
Whether you are a high school or middle school educator, a teaching artist, or a college theatre student planning on working in the classroom, the EdTA Annual Conference has something for everyone—and everyone is welcome.
2008 Educational Theatre Association Annual Conference, Email blast August 7, 2008
"New Directions in Theatre Education"
September 25-28
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
Chicago, Illinois
As a theatre educator, you work hard to maintain your current curriculum while struggling for funding, time, peer respect, and administrative support. It may seem like you are alone in this endless cycle, but you're not.
Come and join us at the 2008 EdTA Annual Conference where we'll explore "New Directions in Theatre Education" and you'll meet your fellow travelers in the field of theatre education. You'll share innovative approaches to student learning and assessment, teacher training, and information about recent trends in theatre education. Here's some of what's been planned...
Keynote addresses by two notable names in theatre and arts education
This year we are delighted to present two keynote speakers. On Friday, you'll be welcomed to the Windy City by Mr. Richard Christiansen, longtime theatre critic for the Chicago Tribune, and author of A Theater of Our Own: A History and a Memoir of 1,001 Nights in Chicago. And on Saturday, we'll feature Mr. Dick Deasy, the founding director of the Arts Education Partnership (based in Washington, DC), the nation's premiere arts education advocacy organization.
Earn graduate credit throughout the entire Conference...
You have told us that it is very important to stay current with your continuing education requirements. This year, you can accumulate up to 3 graduate credits (1 credit for Conference itself and up to 2 credits for the two PDI sessions) for your work at Conference. The University of Northern Colorado is administering graduate credits and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available through the American Council on Education (ACE). Contact Conference manager Diane Carr to find out more.
...while continuing your professional development...
EdTA's Professional Development Institutes (PDI) are a series of intensive one-day, single-subject seminars designed for the busy theatre educator and taught by some of the top professionals in the field. This year, we have a total of nine different PDIs bookending this year's Conference on Thursday, September 25 and Sunday, September 28. To find out more about this year's slate of PDIs, click here.
...and attending a full slate of workshops
Once again, we offer a schedule of workshops covering four different tracks for you explore: middle school theatre, practical theatre, curriculum development, and technical theatre. Some attendees prefer to mix and match the types of workshops they attend; others prefer to stay within one subject area or track. There is something for everyone. A full list of the workshops can be found here and a general conference agenda can be downloaded from here.
Networking, networking, networking
Throughout the entire Conference you will have many opportunities to meet and greet many others who share your passion for theatre education. Here is some more of what we have in store:
· Come meet everyone at the first formal event of the Conference at a Welcome Reception on Thursday evening and start your Friday and Saturday morning off with a complementary Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall.
· The EdTA New Member reception is for the newest EdTA members to meet some of your "newbie" peers while also meeting some of the EdTA staff, board, and volunteer leaders in a relaxed atmosphere.
· Recognize those who have worked to advance the field of theatre education, while cruising Lake Michigan at the Hall of Fame Dinner. This year we are honoring: Jonathan Gillespie (Sterling Hills, Michigan), Martha (Marty) A. Hancock (Miami, Florida), Patricia Lee Hitchler (Olathe, Kansas), Madelon Horvath (Chardon, Ohio), and Terry McGonigle (Las Vegas, Nevada).
· The 2008 EdTA Annual Conference Theatre Expo features some of the field's leading businesses and collegiate institutions who want to talk to you! Some of the exhibitors registered so far include: The Theatre School at DePaul University, Southern Oregon University, Community Shakespeare, Interactive Educational Video, Junior Tours, Musical Theatre Competitions of America, NYC Group Tours, Seat Yourself, Stage Star Records, Theatrefolk, Theatre Sages, and Travel Adventures.
· And a panel discussion, "Creating and Staying the Best: Pre-Professional and Ongoing Training of Theatre Educators," featuring the directors of several college and university theatre teacher training programs.
Whether you are a member of EdTA or not, you are welcome to join us at the most anticipated event for the largest Association serving the field of theatre education—the 2008 EdTA Annual Conference. Register now.
The 2008 EdTA Annual Conference is sponsored in part by The Theatre School at DePaul University and the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Here are some important dates for this year's Conference
Monday, September 1: Final day to submit purchase orders for Conference registration
Wednesday, September 3: Final day to reserve rooms at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place at EdTA event rates
Thursday, September 11: Final day to register online without incurring the Late Registration fee
Thursday, September 18: Final day to register online; after this date only on-site registrations will be accepted and an additional late fee of $65 will apply
Thursday, September 25: Pre-Conference PDIs begin; Registration for PDIs open from 7-9 a.m.; Conference registration open from 5-7 p.m.
Friday, September 26: First full day of Conference
Saturday, September 27: Hall of Fame dinner cruise; EdTA Board election and member meeting
Sunday, September 28: Post-Conference PDIs
Some additional infomation about the event site:
- The address for the Hyatt is 2233 South Martin L. King Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60616.
- It is 10 miles from Midway Airport (airport code: MDW) and 23 miles from O'Hare Airport (airport code: ORD).
- There is are several Chicago Transit Authority bus stops in the area and a subway station in the Convention center attached to the hotel. You can take the public transportation from either airport to the hotel.
Educational Theatre Association | 2343 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219
EdTA Email Blast May 30th
EdTA Annual Report 2007: A correction
In the last EdTA Annual Report, three valuable volunteer leaders were left off of the printed version of the annual report. When the report went to print, the names of Kerry Onxley, Patricia Santanello, and Pam Ware were inadvertantly dropped from the Leadership Coaches section on page 7. We regret the error and it has been fixed in the online version.
EdTA Board Election, Part 1: Candidates for EdTA board seats announced
The EdTA Nominating Committee has selected nominees for the upcoming positions of EdTA Vice President and Board Director. The terms for both of these positions will begin August 1, 2009.
As directed by the EdTA Code of Regulations, the committee is charged to seek and nominate one candidate for open positions. The candidates selected by the Nominating Committee are:
Joe Norton, candidate for Board Vice President/President for the 2009-2013 term
Joe is the Director of Education and Outreach for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), a current EdTA Board Director also serving as Board Treasurer, and a frequent workshop presenter at EdTA events.
Gai Jones, candidate for Board Director for the 2009-2012 term
Gai is a recently retired theatre educator, former California Chapter Director, and former EdTA Territory and Regional Director.
“The decisions of the nominating committee were very difficult to make," stated committee chair, Gail Burns. “There were outstanding candidates who submitted vitae for both positions.”
The candidates’ responses to qualification questions and their résumé may be viewed by clicking each candidate's name above.
EdTA Board Election, Part 2: Board nominations by petition now open
In addition to the nominated candidates, members may petition to be placed on the ballot. The petition process and form for board candidacy can be found here.
The election will take place during the 2008 EdTA Annual Conference, September 25-28, in Chicago, at the membership meeting on Saturday, September 27. At this time, EdTA members must be in attendance at the Conference to vote (see the item below for potential changes).
EdTA Board Election, Part 3: Code change required to allow election absentee ballot
As mentioned above, the Code of Regulations currently states that EdTA members must be in attendance at the 2008 EdTA Annual Conference to vote in an election. The EdTA Board of Directors proposed several changes to the election process that would allow for absentee balloting for EdTA Board Director and Chapter Director candidates.
That proposal will be voted on during a special meeting of the EdTA membership to be held Friday, June 27, 2008 at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln during the 2008 International Thespian Festival.
The results of the vote to change the Code of Regulations will be published by Wednesday, July 2.Edta - Email blast May 1st.
BIG, BIG, BIG Deadline
Tomorrow, May 8, is D-Day for our Education Department as this is the Festival registration deadline and the date that your registration must be received at the Home Office. Avoid late fees, disappointed students, and general mayhem—by having all of your registration materials and payment to the Home Office by May 8!
EdTA in the News:
Marion-Franklin High School and Thespian troupe 6977 in The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch
EdTA takes leadership in theatre ed field; develops and adopts Code of Professional Standards
The EdTA Board of Directors has approved a Code of Professional Standards for EdTA members. Composed by a committee lead by Board Vice President Debby Gibbs, this code sets an ethical framework for EdTA members to use inside, and outside, the classroom. To find out more about the Code and download a copy, click here.
Changes to EdTA election process necessitate changes to EdTA Code of Regulations…
During the April 26 meeting of the EdTA Board of Directors, several changes to the EdTA Code of Regulations were proposed to allow for changes to election procedure.
The proposed changes will:
1. Add a process to allow members to request and cast absentee ballots for elections.
2. Require Nominating Committee candidate announcements to be made earlier.
3. Rename the process of additional candidate nominations and change the timeline for petition submissions.
4. Allow an election by a plurality of votes to prevent a run-off election.
The rest of the story can be found here.
…which requires a special member meeting called for the Festival 2008…
During that same April 26 meeting, the Board of Directors has called for a special membership meeting to vote on the changes to the EdTA Code of Regulations. This meeting will be held on Friday, June 25 during the 2008 International Thespian Festival. A specific room and time for the meeting will be announced at a later date. Members may vote on the proposed Code of Regulation changes in person or by absentee ballot.
…which means you can request absentee ballots for the Code of Regulations change vote
Changes to the Code of Regulations may be considered by the membership by voting either in person or by absentee ballot. If you will not be at Thespian Festival 2008, then you may request an absentee ballot by clicking here.
We are accepting requests for absentee ballots until 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 23. Ballots will be mailed no later than Wednesday, May 28 and they will need to completed and returned to the Home Office by Tuesday, June 17.
NOTE: We are using SurveyMonkey as the interface to collect requests for absentee ballots. In the past, SurveyMonkey has been known to misbehave with Macs using Safari as the web browser. If you are using Safari and it appears to not be working for you, please try another web browser.