EdTA’s 2010 annual membership meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 2 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York, during the EdTA Annual Conference. On the agenda for the meeting is the election of a new Governing Board vice president and one board member.
The complete agenda for the annual meeting, and the minutes of the special member meeting held at the Thespian Festival in June, are linked below. (Posted 9/2/10)
The availability of electronic ballots for the EdTA board seat and vice presidential election will be delayed. Ballots will be available in conformance with the EdTA Code of Regulations at least fifteen days before the organization’s annual membership meeting on October 2 in New York, the EdTA board said. (Posted 9/2/10)
On July 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Resolution 275, expressing support for the designation of September 12-18 as Arts in Education Week. Sponsored by Representative Jackie Speier of California with the support of Broadway star Carol Channing, the bill states, “Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students.” The bill calls for governors and other elected officials to issue proclamations to raise awareness of the value and importance of arts education, and encourages President Obama to issue a proclamation encouraging people throughout the country to observe the week with appropriate activities. EdTA has assembled Five Days, Twenty-five Ways—a list of ideas for school theatre programs and others who are interested in celebrating and promoting the week. In honor of the week, EdTA vice-president Rachel Evans will host three Twitter feed `tweetchats’ @theatrerachel. The schedule for the chats (EST) is Tuesday, September 14, at 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m.; and Friday, September 17, at 6:00 p.m. The Arts Education Partnership website has created a clearinghouse for what’s happening in your state during Arts Education Week and how you can get involved. The Arts Education Partnership website has created a clearinghouse for what’s happening in your state during Arts Education Week and how you can get involved. Americans for the Arts has a list of suggested ways that communities can promote and celebrate the week, and will be collecting projects started or completed during Arts Education Week and present as part of the 2011 event. (Posted 8/31/2010)
Chapter boards in each of the twenty-seven EdTA chapters in the organization’s Regions 1 and 3 will be reviewing curriculum vitae from candidates for chapter director positions this fall.
New four-year chapter director terms in the two regions begin August 1, 2011. All candidates, including incumbent chapter directors, are required to submit a curriculum vita in order to be considered for the position. Vitae are due at the EdTA home office by October 1. The submitted vitae are turned over to each state’s chapter board, which will review them and forward at least one nomination to the EdTA nominating committee. Balloting for contested seats will occur in January. Region 1 includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, New Zealand, and the Western Pacific Islands. Region 3 includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. For the timeline and process, click the link below.
Process and Timeline for Regions 1 and 3 (PDF) For a description of the duties and responsibilities of chapter directors and a volunteer leader candidate vita form, click the links below.
2010-2011 EdTA Chapter Director Duties and Responsibilities (PDF)
EdTA Volunteer Leader Candidate Vita Form (PDF) (Posted 8/18/2010)
The Educational Theatre Association has begun accepting applications from its members to serve on the newly forming EdTA Advocacy Task Force. The mission of the group is to promote the interests of the organization and the field on national, state, and local issues that impact K-12 theatre education. The task force will include one representative from each of EdTA’s four regions, an at-large representative, the executive director, and the EdTA director of educational policy.
“There’s a real need for us to step up with our expertise and experience,” said James Palmarini, director of educational policy. “In these difficult times, arts education is at serious risk, but it’s also an era of great opportunity. EdTA has a responsibility to add our voice to the national conversation on everything from reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to the revision of the National Standards for Arts Education. What we want to do with the task force is to build a network of state and local theatre education advocates who can share what they know and what they’re doing to promote and protect their programs and students.”
EdTA members interested in representing their region should send a short email letter to jpalmarini@schooltheatre.org that includes a summary of past or present advocacy and policy work in their district and state. Deadline for applications is October 15, 2010. (Posted 7/29/2010) The Partnership for 21st Century Skills released the Skills Map for the Arts at a Capitol Hill briefing on July 15. The map, outlining thirteen skills, outcomes, and lesson examples at grades four, eight, and twelve in the four arts areas (theatre, music, dance, and visual arts), was created by the leading arts education professional organizations. The Educational Theatre Association collaborated with the American Alliance for Theatre & Education to create the map’s twelve theatre examples. Executive Director Michael Peitz and EdTA Director of Educational Policy James Palmarini attended the briefing. EdTA member and map writer Dale Schmid spoke on behalf of theatre’s role in the process and 2010 EdTA Arts Advocacy Day Essay Competition winner Elliah Heifetz was one of four students to speak on how arts education had impacted their lives.
Other participating organizations were the National Art Education Association, MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the National Dance Association, and the National Dance Education Organization.
 | EdTA Executive Director Michael Peitz, 2010 Arts Advocacy Day Essay winner Elliah Heifetz, and Upper Dublin High School theatre director Deborah Thompson at the 21st Century Partnership Arts Map briefing in Washington, D.C.
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The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a national organization that advocates for twenty-first century readiness for every student. P21 and its member organizations stress the need for U. S. education to include “four Cs” (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity) as part of teacher practice in order for the United States to continue to compete in a global economy.
Kathy Hurley, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for the education services and technology company Pearson and P21 executive board and strategic council chair, said, “I commend America’s leading arts education professional associations for joining forces to create a tool that illustrates how the four Cs can be fused with arts education. This new document, P21’s fifth core content map, provides practical examples that educators can model as they work to ensure 21st century readiness for every student.”
In the briefing, a map writer from each discipline addressed how one of the four Cs was illustrated in a map example. Schmid addressed the skill of creativity and its student outcomes in the following theatre example:
“Students write short original plays, cast them with classmates, workshop the scripts over a designated period, and present them in a staged reading. Through discussions with the audience, cast members, and teachers, they make decisions about what worked well in their plays and what did not, revise the scripts, and submit them to a student playwriting competition.”
In his remarks, Schmid noted a Newsweek article that said a recent IBM poll of 1,500 CEOs identified creativity as the number one “leadership competency” of the future, and that recent data on a highly regarded test measuring creativity suggests that American creativity skills are declining, particularly among children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Heifetz, a rising senior at Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, was accompanied by his theatre director, Deborah Thompson. Speaking of how his theatre experience has shaped his life, Heifetz said, “All my life, creativity has pushed me forward simply because of the way it makes my mind work. As I change skins from child to teenager and eventually to adult, I advance chiefly because the art that I am involved in now has taught me how.”
Peitz said the The 21st Century Skills Map for the Arts was a major step forward in confirming the arts as a core subject. “In its examples and outcomes, the arts map clearly illustrates how sound teaching practice in theatre, dance, visual arts, and music can nurture and promote the fundamental skills our students need to succeed in today’s world.
“We all know that the 4Cs of creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, along with all the other skills cited in the framework, happen every day in our classrooms and on our stages,” said Peitz. “I hope business leaders, school administrators, legislators, and educators themselves will use the arts skills map to help support their efforts to promote curricular arts programs in our schools.” (Posted 7/19/2010)
Following is a complete list of the honors and awards presented at Thespian Festival 2010
Standing Ovation Award
Music Theatre International Administrator’s Award
Greg Schwab, Principal, Mountlake Terrace High School, Mountlake Terrace, Washington. Nominated by Jeannie Brzovic, director of Troupe 3627.
Mark Pinder, Principal, Milwaukie High School, Milwaukie, Oregon. Nominated by Scott Walker, director of Troupe 75.
Marina Davis, Principal, Dublin Scioto High School, Dublin, Ohio (deceased). Nominated by Patricia Santanello, director of Troupe 5440. Outstanding Educator Award
Anita Lippman, Brentwood High School, Troupe 1061, St. Louis, Missouri. Nominated by Joey Merlotti.
Robert Henrichs, Lincoln Southwest High School, Troupe 6547, Lincoln, Nebraska. Nominated by Austin Blankenau.
Michelle Moss, Valley View High School, Troupe 7074, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Nominated by Cody Campbell. Outstanding School Award
Greenwich High School, Troupe 243, Greenwich, Connecticut. Troupe director Richard Kohn. A four time award winner, Greenwich High School also received this award in 1995, 2000, and 2005. President’s Award
J. Jason Daunter, Assistant Stage Manager for the Broadway production of Wicked Jhon Marshall/International Thespian Officers Outstanding Student Achievement Scholarship
James Kennedy from Northwest School of the Arts’ Thespian Troupe 5634 in Charlotte, North Carolina Jhon Marshall/International Thespian Officers (ITO) Outstanding Student Technical Achievement Scholarship
Jamie Wagner from Troupe 4088 at Susquehannock High School in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania Bob and Marti Fowler Future Theatre Educator Scholarship
Marisa Moosekian from Thespian Troupe 2005 at Turlock (California) High School Thespian Scholarships Melba Day Henning Theatre Education Scholarship
Zachary Kattwinkel, Thespian Troupe 3178 at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Theatre Educator Scholarship
Hanna Staelin-Lefsky, Thespian Troupe 2808 at Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado Bob Johnson/Hector Cruz Scholarship
Cody Campbell, Thespian Troupe 7074 at Valley View High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas Tech Scholarship
Katie Dudley, Thespian Troupe 1915 at West Linn (Oregon) High School Theatre Performance Scholarships
Excellence in Technical Theatre Scholarship
Jackson Gallagher, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (Ohio) High School Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship
Samantha Sheffer, Thespian Troupe 1966 at Temple (Texas) High School Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship
Brittany Vicar, Thespian Troupe 5869 at the Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship
Richard Eisloeffel, Thespian Troupe 3461 at Lincoln (Nebraska) High School Doug Finney Festival Grant
George “Austin” Allen, Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts (Shawn Hann, Troupe director)
Eden Rain Eemissee, Roosevelt High School, Seattle, Washington (Ruben Van Kempen, Troupe director)
Patrick Mahoney, Northshore High School, Slidell, Louisiana (Michael R. Peterson, Troupe director)
Lindsay Johnson, Prairie Heights High School, Wolcottville, Indiana (Corrine Reed, Troupe director) International Thespian Society Leadership Grant
Molly McGuire, Classical Magnet School, Troupe 7168, Hartford, Connecticut
Tech Challenge Tech Challenge teams
1st Place P.A.C. Mule, Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School
2nd Place Studio VII Techies, Thespian Troupe 7014 at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas
3rd Place Ohio Domination, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (Ohio) High School Top Team In Costume Change Event
Karen Goodner & Kara Leathers, Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School Top Time In Knot Tying
Nick Schelom, Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School Top Time In Sew A Button
Darla Davis, Thespian Troupe 6319 at Denison (Texas) High Top Time In Light Hang & Focus
Jackson Gallagher, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (Ohio) High School Top Team in Leg a Platform Event
Michael Asel and Adrian Richter, Thespian Troupe 7014 at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas Top Team in Layout a Ground Plan Event
Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School Thespian Playworks
Christopher Poore (The Porcelain Vase), Troupe 759, General William J. Palmer H.S. Colorado Springs, CO
Meg Bradley (Splinters), Troupe 69, Dubuque Senior H.S.
Dubuque, IA
Allie Lehnhoff (A Backwards Fairytale), Troupe 7225, Lee’s Summit Community Christian School, Lee’s Summit, MO
Lien Le (In Facebook Wii Trust), Troupe 5367, Nolan Catholic H.S., Fort Worth, TX Individual Events Showcase Performances Solo Musical
Henry Van Leishout, Thespian Troupe 5832 at Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Washington, for Who’d I Be Monologue
Madeline Angulo, Thespian Troupe 5134 at Green Valley High School in Las Vegas, Fat Pig and Equus Mime
Scott Trout and Zach Eulberg, Thespian Troupe 2808 at Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado for Frasie Schiaviti Solo Musical
Danielle Grays, Thespian Troupe 264 at Parkersburg (West Virginia) High School, for Everything I Know
Duet Acting
Alex Baggett and Josh Brown from Thespian Troupe 5869 at the Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts, for Reasons to be Pretty Mime
Aaron Groenke, Thespian Ttroupe 3543 at Round Rock (Texas) High School, for Up, Up and Away Solo Musical
Sydney Farley, Thespian Troupe 5408 at Portland (Oregon) Christian High School, for Trip to the Library Group Musical
Members of Thespin Troupe 6605 at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas, for Freak Flag Monologue
Robert Henkel, Thespian Ttroupe 176 at Judson Senior High School in Converse, Texas for Homefront and Inner Baby Group Musical
Members of Willow Canyon High School Thespian Troupe 6901 from Surprise, Arizona, for Money Monologue
Tasha Gerel, Thespian Troupe 3689 at Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, for Leaves and Pretentious Young Group Acting
Bird, Fries, & Walker of Thespian Troupe 5989 at Monarch High School in Golden, Colorado, for The Tarantino Variation Individual Event Technical Recognition Theatre Marketing
Dessie Jackson, Thespian Troupe 274 at Penn Manor High School in Willow Street, Pennsylvania for Check Please Costume Construction
Paige Murray, Thespian Troupe 5741 at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico Costume Design
Carter Kidd, Thespian Troupe 1338 at Jonesboro (Arkansas) High School, for A Midsummer Night’s Dream Lighting Design
Jackson Gallagher, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (OH) High School, forA Midsummer Night’s Dream
Scenic Design
James Roeder, Thespian Troupe 1966 at Temple (Texas) High School, for
Triangle Factory Fire Project Sound Design
Joel Williams, Thespian Troupe 1966 at Temple (Texas) High School, for Triangle Factory Fire Project Stage Management
Austin Allen, Thespian Troupe 5869 at the Denver School of the Arts for Urinetown Two millionth Thespian
Raymond “R.J.” Harding, Thespian Troupe 7321 at Ola High School in McDonough, Georgia (Posted 7/18/2010)
At a special meeting of EdTA members held at the Thespian Festival on June 25, the members approved three changes to the code of regulations.
Two of the changes will streamline voting procedures; one will strengthen the association’s anti-hazing policy.
Issue one approved all language to require and manage electronic balloting to supplement paper balloting used for voting at regular or special membership meetings. The existing code permitted, but did not require, electronic voting.
Issue two approved changes to the definition of a “member in good standing” to clarify eligibility to vote.
Issue three approved placing a reference in the Code of Regulations to refer to the association’s anti-hazing policy as an exhibit to the code.
“We believe that these changes to require electronic balloting will improve the election process,” said board President Debby Gibbs. “Since electronic voting was instituted, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of votes cast. We were pleased to see the support for the anti-hazing language as well. The members in attendance made suggestions regarding discussion of ballot issues. The board will give those careful consideration.”
All changes were approved by vote of 96.8 percent or more. Four hundred sixty-three ballots were cast. (Posted 7/1/2010)
A third candidate for EdTA vice president will be added to the ballot in the upcoming vice president and board director election. Jay Seller has submitted valid petition documents to have his name placed on the ballot. The candidates for vice president are:
- Gloria McIntyre, a recently retired theatre educator from Strongsville (Ohio) High School, former Ohio chapter director, and past EdTA board member.
- Patricia Santanello, a teacher at Dublin (Ohio) Scioto High School, former leadership coach and former EdTA board member.
- Jay Seller, a teacher at Thornton (Colorado) Horizon High School, former Territorial Director and current Colorado chapter director.
The Board asked the committee to nominate candidates who added diversity to the board’s composition in gender, age, ethnicity and regional representation with emphasis on 1. Experience on the EdTA governing board.
2. Experience in fundraising and advocacy.
3. Experience in theatre education or a theatre education related field.
4. Participation volunteering for responsibility at major EdTA events and/or, as troupe director bringing students to the Thespian Festival.
5. Vision for EdTA’s future. The individual elected as vice president will have a term that begins August 1, 2011. That person will serve as president from August 1, 2013 through July 31, 2015. The candidates nominated by the committee for board director are: - Merrill Boynton-Cheyne, a teacher at Harris County Carver Middle School, Hamilton, Georgia.
- Karen Pionke, a teacher at Viking Middle School, Gurnee, Illinois.
The Board asked the committee to nominate candidates who added diversity to the board’s composition in gender, age, ethnicity and regional representation with emphasis on 1. Leadership experience as middle school troupe director.
2. Experience in troupe development.
3. Experience with theatre across the curriculum.
4. Experience in Junior Thespian advocacy.
5. Vision for EdTA’s future. The individual selected as the next board director will serve a term that runs from August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2014. As directed by the EdTA Code of Regulations, the committee was charged to seek and nominate at least one candidate for open positions. The candidates’ verbatim responses to qualifications questions and their resumes may be viewed by clicking: Candidates for vice president Candidates for board director “The board was clear in its directions to the committee, showing a great concern for the future of the Association and desire to ensure a breadth of experience and background on the board,” stated committee chair, Jerry Smith. “There were outstanding candidates who submitted vita for both positions.” Electronic ballots will be distributed to all members of the Association, or members may vote during the membership meeting to be held during the 2010 EdTA Annual Conference, September 30-October 3, in New York City. The membership meeting will be held on Saturday, October 2. (Posted 4/6/2010. Revised 6/15/2010) Music Theatre International, the company that licenses some of the best-known titles from Broadway, Off Broadway, and London’s West End and has made popular musicals accessible to thousands of schools, is the recipient of the Educational Theatre Association’s 2010 Standing Ovation Award. John Prignano, MTI’s senior operations officer, will accept the award on Tuesday, June 22 during the 2010 Thespian Festival. The EdTA Standing Ovation Award recognizes a corporation or business making significant contributions to promote and strengthen theatre education through its philanthropic efforts or programs and activities. “We have licensed more than 50,000 school productions since we decided to start an education division with school editions and Broadway Junior,” says Freddie Gershon, president and CEO of MTI. “The shows are now part of American pop culture, with more students participating every year. We are very proud to be recognized by EdTA.” MTI’s contribution to promoting and strengthening theatre education has set the bar for the field, producing a variety of educational resources for musicals. In addition to The Broadway Junior Collection for elementary and middle schools, MTI leases School Edition versions of its musicals for high schools, as well as the RehearScore and OrchEXTRA products. They’ve also demonstrated their support for theatre in the schools by creating musical theatre programming in underserved schools in the New York City area. MTI’s relationship with EdTA goes back many years. Most visibly, the company participated in the Thespian National Company productions of three of its musicals—Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Hairspray—in 2005, 2007, and 2008.
“We at MTI are very proud and honored to be receiving this award from EdTA,” Prignano said. “MTI has been working with EdTA for over ten years, and its support and dedication to theatre and education is vital to keeping theatre in the schools and remains a tremendous asset to young talent around the country. As we know, theatre not only teaches how to ‘act,’ but it builds many life skills needed to be able to succeed in the world. Because one of MTI’s missions is to support initiatives intended to enhance arts and education, EdTA’s parallel goals have made it an ideal partner.” “MTI has done so much to help schools and EdTA reach students and engage them in musical theatre,” said Michael J. Peitz, EdTA executive director. “Their support of our Thespian National Company productions and their work publishing teaching materials for Broadway musicals has helped hundreds of teachers and brought the benefits of theatre involvement to thousands of students. It is my pleasure to award MTI the 2010 Standing Ovation Award in recognition of all of their generosity and vision in taking care of the needs of theatre students and teachers.” MTI takes its place in an illustrious group of past recipients of the EdTA Standing Ovation Award, including the Bravo television network (2001), Camp Broadway (2002), Glencoe/McGraw-Hill (2003), Camp Bravo (2004), Procter & Gamble Productions (2005), Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (2006), Electronic Theatre Controls (2007), and Interactive Educational Video (2008). (Posted 6/11/2010)
 Paul L. King, the Executive Director of the Office of the Arts and Special Projects at the New York City Department of Education, will be a keynote speaker at the Educational Theatre Association’s annual conference in New York City September 30-October 3. He joins previously announced featured speakers actor Kevin Kline and actor-director Joe Mantello. King was appointed to his position last December after spending four years as the Department of Education’s Director of Theater Programs. In this role, he helped create instructional resources to support arts education in New York City public schools, including the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts: Theatre. The Theatre Blueprint and subsequent professional development has helped increase the number of theatre educators in New York City schools. King also guided the development and editing of a Blueprint video that features successful K-12 teaching practices for all four art forms. As a union stage manager and stage director (member of Actor’s Equity and American Guild of Musical Artists), King has worked with Sir Peter Hall, Mark Lamos, Scott Ellis, Lee Breuer and Emily Mann among other prominent artists. He has served as an artist educator for various opera companies and theaters in the United States with over twelve years experience in high school, middle schools and elementary school instruction. Additionally, King has been a teacher, stage director and guest artist for singer training programs at Chautauqua Opera, The Glimmerglass Opera, The Manhattan School of Music and SUNY/Purchase. This year’s EdTA Conference theme, “The Heart of It All,” will focus on ways in which collaboration between professional theatre artists and educators can create better theatre experiences and learning for students. Along with King, Kline and Mantello, the event will feature a panel on the future of the National Standards for Theatre Education; eight daylong pre- and post-conference Professional Development Institutes; more than fifty workshops; an exhibitor showcase; and the annual EdTA Hall of Fame induction dinner. To find out complete details about the conference and to register go to “The Heart of it All.” (Posted 6/9/2010)
The Educational Theatre Association annual conference will include keynote remarks by actor Kevin Kline and a Q&A with actor-director Joe Mantello.
 Kline is one of America’s most honored and versatile actors, earning equal distinction in both theatre and film. He earned a best actor Academy Award for the film A Fish Called Wanda and Tony Awards for On the Twentieth Century and The Pirates of Penzance. Kline’s theatre credits include several Shakespearean roles for the Public Theater ( King Lear, Richard III, Henry V, Duke Vincentio in Measure for Measure, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and the title role in Hamlet twice). He won an Obie for Sustained Achievement for his work in the first Hamlet production, and for the second, five Drama Desk nominations, including best director and actor. He also co-directed Hamlet for PBS’s Great Performances series, and appeared in the Public’s Shakespeare in the Park opposite Meryl Streep in The Seagull and in Mother Courage. He was most recently seen on Broadway in Cyrano de Bergerac. For his performance as the title character, he received an Outer Critics Circle Award; the production was also produced for PBS’s Great Performance Series. Kline’s many films credits include The Big Chill, Silverado, Grand Canyon, French Kiss, Cry Freedom, The Ice Storm, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and A Prairie Home Companion. He recently filmed The Extra Man and Caroline Bottaro’s French language film Queen to Play.  Joe Mantello’s wide range of theatre directing credits include Wicked (currently on Broadway and other productions worldwide), Pal Joey, 9 to 5 the Musical, The Ritz, Three Days of Rain, The Odd Couple, Glengarry Glen Ross, Assassins, Take Me Out, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, The Vagina Monologues, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Mineola Twins, Corpus Christi, and The Santaland Diaries. He also directed the film version of Love! Valour! Compassion! Mantello won best-director awards for Wicked, Take Me Out, and Assassins. As an actor he’s appeared in Angels in America (for which he earned a Drama Desk Award and a Tony nomination) and The Baltimore Waltz. Mantello is a member of New York City’s Naked Angels theatre company, and is an associate artist at the Roundabout Theatre Company. This year’s EdTA Conference theme, “The Heart of It All,” will focus on ways in which collaboration between professional theatre artists and educators can create better theatre experiences and learning for students. Along with Kline and Mantello, the event will feature a panel on the future of the National Standards for Theatre Education; eight daylong pre- and post-conference Professional Development Institutes; more than fifty workshops; an exhibitor showcase; and the annual EdTA Hall of Fame induction dinner. To find out complete details about the conference and to register go to “The Heart of it All." (Posted 5/18/2010)
The New York City Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, in collaboration with NOCTI, has released a new assessment test for secondary and post-secondary school technical theatre programs. NOCTI is a national company specializing in the creation of curricular assessment tools for secondary and post-secondary schools. The new technical theatre assessment, developed by a committee of subject matter experts representing industry, union stagehands, secondary, and post-secondary education, aligns with industry standards. It includes both a multiple choice and performance component, measuring basic technical theatre knowledge and understanding as well as the hands-on skills of costuming, makeup and hair, scenic and prop construction, electrics, sound, and stage management.
Paul King, executive director of the Office of Arts and Special Projects said, “The New York City Department of Education is honored to have led this initiative and to have partnered with industry, school and higher level experts to craft this assessment. We are confident that the technical theatre assessment will validate and promote technical theatre programs by providing a rigorous and authentic indicator of student achievement.” Schools and districts can purchase the technical theater assessment through NOCTI, using their online form. Individual online pre-tests are $11; post-tests are $18.50 each. Performance tests are $7.50 each. Schools will have an option to select one or more specialty areas for the performance component based on the student’s technical theatre expertise. To learn more about the assessment, visit the “Other Available Titles” section of NOCTI’s website under Assessment Blueprints at www.nocti.org/OtherTestTitles.cfm. (Posted 4/27/2010)
The Federal Communications Commission has issued a "vacate date" prohibiting the sale and use of wireless microphones operating in the 700 MHz frequency. The Commission stated that June 12, 2010 would be the final date for the use of wireless microphones in the bandwidth (specifically 698-806 MHz). Wireless microphones have been used without regulation in the bandwidth for more than thirty years. Future use of the band will be dedicated to emergency services and new, so-called TV band devices such as phones and personal computers.
The FCC’s January 15 statement said: “These unlicensed devices cannot continue to operate in the band as they may cause harmful interference to public safety entities and the next generation consumer devices that will be utilizing the 700 MHz frequency.” In addition, a wireless microphone user is required to terminate service in the band within sixty days of receiving notice that a 700 MHz public safety or commercial device will be beginning service earlier than June 12. If a user is notified that the microphones are actually causing interference to any public safety device or commercial licensee, they must cease operation immediately. The Educational Theatre Association, along with several performing arts, sports, and religious organizations (the Coalition of Wireless Microphone Users) filed suit last year expressing concern that wireless devices would not be eligible for protection from interference under the new FCC rules. Partly as a result of that lawsuit and work by CWMU attorney David Pawlik, the FCC is now considering qualifying wireless microphones under a set of rules that would provide for licensing, registration in a database that would monitor transmitter locations, and protection from interference. No deadline for this decision was announced. For more information about the FCC’s ruling, go to www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones. The website offers information for consumers as to whether their wireless devices are currently operating in the prohibited band and if their devices may be retuned to operate on another band. Consumers may also call 800-CALL-FCC to ask questions regarding this transition. School theatre directors are urged to do an inventory of their existing equipment; survey other users of wireless devices in their schools and district; and educate administrators, school boards, and community members about the wireless transition and the FCC deadline. Currently, three manufacturers are offering discounts on new wireless equipment: Shure is offering trade-in rebates of up to $1,000 on their or other manufacturer’s 700 MHz systems until June 30, 2010. Sennheiser is offering rebates on their systems purchased prior to December 1, 2008; discounts are also available for other manufacturer’s systems. Rebate claims for Sennheiser must be postmarked by July 15, 2010. Sony is offering rebates of up to $400 on select systems until March 30, 2010. (Posted 1/27/10)
The U.S. Department of Education held an arts education “stakeholders” meeting January 20 in Washington, D.C. to discuss the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The meeting was led by Assistant Deputy Secretary Jim Shelton. The Educational Theatre Association’s Director of Educational Policy, James Palmarini, was among the invited participants. The meeting was significant in that it was the first time that the national arts education community had been invited to specifically address reauthorization policy efforts. The DOE has been holding meetings since last June to discuss various education topics, in anticipation of a vote by Congress on reauthorization of the education act, known in its most recent version as No Child Left Behind. To read the remarks presented on behalf of EdTA, go to www.edta.org/eseameeting. The U.S. Department of Education’s complete summary of arts stakeholders may be found at www.edta.org/eseameetingsummary. (Posted 1/27/10)
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has endorsed the collection of key data in all core subjects as defined by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). CCSSO plays a major role in policy decisions by the U.S Department of Education and state departments of education. The recommendation was proposed by the Education Information Management Advisory Consortium following a presentation at their annual meeting about rising concerns among education leaders that non-tested subjects would be excluded from the development of state data gathering systems.
The recommendation states: “Chiefs should encourage data collections of school courses, teachers, and numbers of students enrolled. Collections should include the core academic subjects as defined by ESEA as well as physical education, health, and career technology education.” (ESEA defines core academic subjects as English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography.) The Educational Theatre Association, along with other professional arts education associations, partnered with State Education Agency Director of Arts Education (SEADAE) to push for the inclusion of the arts in the data collection endorsement. Currently no data exists to determine the number of students participating in arts education across the nation, the number of schools with arts programs, or the schools in which arts offerings are not available. EdTA Executive Director Michael Peitz called the recommendation a major step forward in the effort to learn more about the status of arts education in public and private schools throughout the country. “If we expect our legislators, administrators, and teachers to make sound decisions about curriculum we need to know as much information as possible about students, schools, and educators,” he said. “This data can make a real difference to all non-tested subject areas.” (Posted 1/27/10)
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has issued a statement stating his support of arts education as a core academic subject area in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). In a letter released August 13, Duncan said that the arts play an important role in providing American students a well-rounded education and can help them “become tenacious, team-oriented problem solvers who are confident and able to think creatively.”
EdTA Executive Director Michael J. Peitz characterized the statement as a strong message from the Obama administration. “It’s heartening to know that the secretary understands the value of arts education to our students today,” he said. “Hopefully this will lead to better federal and state financial support for curricular programs. I’d urge all of our members to print this statement and pass it on to their colleagues and administrators.” In support of the letter, Secretary Duncan conducted a conference call interview on Tuesday, August 18. The interview was conducted by Mary Luehrsen, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for National Association of Music Manufacturers. (Updated 8/18/09) Secretary Duncan’s statement Back to top of page
“There’s a real need for us to step up with our expertise and experience,” said James Palmarini, director of educational policy. “In these difficult times, arts education is at serious risk, but it’s also an era of great opportunity. EdTA has a responsibility to add our voice to the national conversation on everything from reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to the revision of the National Standards for Arts Education. What we want to do with the task force is to build a network of state and local theatre education advocates who can share what they know and what they’re doing to promote and protect their programs and students.”
EdTA members interested in representing their region should send a short email letter to jpalmarini@edta.org that includes a summary of past or present advocacy and policy work in their district and state. (Posted 7/29/2010)
On July 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Resolution 275, expressing support for the designation of the second week of September as Arts in Education Week. Sponsored by Representative Jackie Speier of California with the support of Broadway star Carol Channing, the bill states, “Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students.”
The bill calls for governors and other elected officials to issue proclamations to raise awareness of the value and importance of arts education, and encourages President Obama to issue a proclamation encouraging people throughout the country to observe the week with appropriate activities.
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills released the Skills Map for the Arts at a Capitol Hill briefing on July 15. The map, outlining thirteen skills, outcomes, and lesson examples at grades four, eight, and twelve in the four arts areas (theatre, music, dance, and visual arts), was created by the leading arts education professional organizations. The Educational Theatre Association collaborated with the American Alliance for Theatre & Education to create the map’s twelve theatre examples. Executive Director Michael Peitz and EdTA Director of Educational Policy James Palmarini attended the briefing. EdTA member and map writer Dale Schmid spoke on behalf of theatre’s role in the process and 2010 EdTA Arts Advocacy Day Essay Competition winner Elliah Heifetz was one of four students to speak on how arts education had impacted their lives.
Other participating organizations were the National Art Education Association, MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the National Dance Association, and the National Dance Education Organization.
| EdTA Executive Director Michael Peitz, 2010 Arts Advocacy Day Essay winner Elliah Heifetz, and Upper Dublin High School theatre director Deborah Thompson at the 21st Century Partnership Arts Map briefing in Washington, D.C.
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The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a national organization that advocates for twenty-first century readiness for every student. P21 and its member organizations stress the need for U. S. education to include “four Cs” (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity) as part of teacher practice in order for the United States to continue to compete in a global economy.
Kathy Hurley, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for the education services and technology company Pearson and P21 executive board and strategic council chair, said, “I commend America’s leading arts education professional associations for joining forces to create a tool that illustrates how the four Cs can be fused with arts education. This new document, P21’s fifth core content map, provides practical examples that educators can model as they work to ensure 21st century readiness for every student.”
In the briefing, a map writer from each discipline addressed how one of the four Cs was illustrated in a map example. Schmid addressed the skill of creativity and its student outcomes in the following theatre example:
“Students write short original plays, cast them with classmates, workshop the scripts over a designated period, and present them in a staged reading. Through discussions with the audience, cast members, and teachers, they make decisions about what worked well in their plays and what did not, revise the scripts, and submit them to a student playwriting competition.”
In his remarks, Schmid noted a Newsweek article that said a recent IBM poll of 1,500 CEOs identified creativity as the number one “leadership competency” of the future, and that recent data on a highly regarded test measuring creativity suggests that American creativity skills are declining, particularly among children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Heifetz, a rising senior at Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, was accompanied by his theatre director, Deborah Thompson. Speaking of how his theatre experience has shaped his life, Heifetz said, “All my life, creativity has pushed me forward simply because of the way it makes my mind work. As I change skins from child to teenager and eventually to adult, I advance chiefly because the art that I am involved in now has taught me how.”
Peitz said the The 21st Century Skills Map for the Arts was a major step forward in confirming the arts as a core subject. “In its examples and outcomes, the arts map clearly illustrates how sound teaching practice in theatre, dance, visual arts, and music can nurture and promote the fundamental skills our students need to succeed in today’s world.
“We all know that the 4Cs of creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, along with all the other skills cited in the framework, happen every day in our classrooms and on our stages,” said Peitz. “I hope business leaders, school administrators, legislators, and educators themselves will use the arts skills map to help support their efforts to promote curricular arts programs in our schools.” (Posted 7/19/2010)
Following is a complete list of the honors and awards presented at Thespian Festival 2010
Standing Ovation Award
Music Theatre International Administrator’s Award
Greg Schwab, Principal, Mountlake Terrace High School, Mountlake Terrace, Washington. Nominated by Jeannie Brzovic, director of Troupe 3627.
Mark Pinder, Principal, Milwaukie High School, Milwaukie, Oregon. Nominated by Scott Walker, director of Troupe 75.
Marina Davis, Principal, Dublin Scioto High School, Dublin, Ohio (deceased). Nominated by Patricia Santanello, director of Troupe 5440. Outstanding Educator Award
Anita Lippman, Brentwood High School, Troupe 1061, St. Louis, Missouri. Nominated by Joey Merlotti.
Robert Henrichs, Lincoln Southwest High School, Troupe 6547, Lincoln, Nebraska. Nominated by Austin Blankenau.
Michelle Moss, Valley View High School, Troupe 7074, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Nominated by Cody Campbell. Outstanding School Award
Greenwich High School, Troupe 243, Greenwich, Connecticut. Troupe director Richard Kohn. A four time award winner, Greenwich High School also received this award in 1995, 2000, and 2005. President’s Award
J. Jason Daunter, Assistant Stage Manager for the Broadway production of Wicked Jhon Marshall/International Thespian Officers Outstanding Student Achievement Scholarship
James Kennedy from Northwest School of the Arts’ Thespian Troupe 5634 in Charlotte, North Carolina Jhon Marshall/International Thespian Officers (ITO) Outstanding Student Technical Achievement Scholarship
Jamie Wagner from Troupe 4088 at Susquehannock High School in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania Bob and Marti Fowler Future Theatre Educator Scholarship
Marisa Moosekian from Thespian Troupe 2005 at Turlock (California) High School Thespian Scholarships Melba Day Henning Theatre Education Scholarship
Zachary Kattwinkel, Thespian Troupe 3178 at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Theatre Educator Scholarship
Hanna Staelin-Lefsky, Thespian Troupe 2808 at Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado Bob Johnson/Hector Cruz Scholarship
Cody Campbell, Thespian Troupe 7074 at Valley View High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas Tech Scholarship
Katie Dudley, Thespian Troupe 1915 at West Linn (Oregon) High School Theatre Performance Scholarships
Excellence in Technical Theatre Scholarship
Jackson Gallagher, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (Ohio) High School Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship
Samantha Sheffer, Thespian Troupe 1966 at Temple (Texas) High School Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship
Brittany Vicar, Thespian Troupe 5869 at the Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship
Richard Eisloeffel, Thespian Troupe 3461 at Lincoln (Nebraska) High School Doug Finney Festival Grant
George “Austin” Allen, Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts (Shawn Hann, Troupe director)
Eden Rain Eemissee, Roosevelt High School, Seattle, Washington (Ruben Van Kempen, Troupe director)
Patrick Mahoney, Northshore High School, Slidell, Louisiana (Michael R. Peterson, Troupe director)
Lindsay Johnson, Prairie Heights High School, Wolcottville, Indiana (Corrine Reed, Troupe director) International Thespian Society Leadership Grant
Molly McGuire, Classical Magnet School, Troupe 7168, Hartford, Connecticut
Tech Challenge Tech Challenge teams
1st Place P.A.C. Mule, Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School
2nd Place Studio VII Techies, Thespian Troupe 7014 at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas
3rd Place Ohio Domination, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (Ohio) High School Top Team In Costume Change Event
Karen Goodner & Kara Leathers, Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School Top Time In Knot Tying
Nick Schelom, Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School Top Time In Sew A Button
Darla Davis, Thespian Troupe 6319 at Denison (Texas) High Top Time In Light Hang & Focus
Jackson Gallagher, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (Ohio) High School Top Team in Leg a Platform Event
Michael Asel and Adrian Richter, Thespian Troupe 7014 at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas Top Team in Layout a Ground Plan Event
Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School Thespian Playworks
Christopher Poore (The Porcelain Vase), Troupe 759, General William J. Palmer H.S. Colorado Springs, CO
Meg Bradley (Splinters), Troupe 69, Dubuque Senior H.S.
Dubuque, IA
Allie Lehnhoff (A Backwards Fairytale), Troupe 7225, Lee’s Summit Community Christian School, Lee’s Summit, MO
Lien Le (In Facebook Wii Trust), Troupe 5367, Nolan Catholic H.S., Fort Worth, TX Individual Events Showcase Performances Solo Musical
Henry Van Leishout, Thespian Troupe 5832 at Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Washington, for Who’d I Be Monologue
Madeline Angulo, Thespian Troupe 5134 at Green Valley High School in Las Vegas, Fat Pig and Equus Mime
Scott Trout and Zach Eulberg, Thespian Troupe 2808 at Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado for Frasie Schiaviti Solo Musical
Danielle Grays, Thespian Troupe 264 at Parkersburg (West Virginia) High School, for Everything I Know
Duet Acting
Alex Baggett and Josh Brown from Thespian Troupe 5869 at the Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts, for Reasons to be Pretty Mime
Aaron Groenke, Thespian Ttroupe 3543 at Round Rock (Texas) High School, for Up, Up and Away Solo Musical
Sydney Farley, Thespian Troupe 5408 at Portland (Oregon) Christian High School, for Trip to the Library Group Musical
Members of Thespin Troupe 6605 at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas, for Freak Flag Monologue
Robert Henkel, Thespian Ttroupe 176 at Judson Senior High School in Converse, Texas for Homefront and Inner Baby Group Musical
Members of Willow Canyon High School Thespian Troupe 6901 from Surprise, Arizona, for Money Monologue
Tasha Gerel, Thespian Troupe 3689 at Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, for Leaves and Pretentious Young Group Acting
Bird, Fries, & Walker of Thespian Troupe 5989 at Monarch High School in Golden, Colorado, for The Tarantino Variation Individual Event Technical Recognition Theatre Marketing
Dessie Jackson, Thespian Troupe 274 at Penn Manor High School in Willow Street, Pennsylvania for Check Please Costume Construction
Paige Murray, Thespian Troupe 5741 at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico Costume Design
Carter Kidd, Thespian Troupe 1338 at Jonesboro (Arkansas) High School, for A Midsummer Night’s Dream Lighting Design
Jackson Gallagher, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (OH) High School, forA Midsummer Night’s Dream
Scenic Design
James Roeder, Thespian Troupe 1966 at Temple (Texas) High School, for
Triangle Factory Fire Project Sound Design
Joel Williams, Thespian Troupe 1966 at Temple (Texas) High School, for Triangle Factory Fire Project Stage Management
Austin Allen, Thespian Troupe 5869 at the Denver School of the Arts for Urinetown Two millionth Thespian
Raymond “R.J.” Harding, Thespian Troupe 7321 at Ola High School in McDonough, Georgia (Posted 7/18/2010)
At a special meeting of EdTA members held at the Thespian Festival on June 25, the members approved three changes to the code of regulations.
Two of the changes will streamline voting procedures; one will strengthen the association’s anti-hazing policy.
Issue one approved all language to require and manage electronic balloting to supplement paper balloting used for voting at regular or special membership meetings. The existing code permitted, but did not require, electronic voting.
Issue two approved changes to the definition of a “member in good standing” to clarify eligibility to vote.
Issue three approved placing a reference in the Code of Regulations to refer to the association’s anti-hazing policy as an exhibit to the code.
“We believe that these changes to require electronic balloting will improve the election process,” said board President Debby Gibbs. “Since electronic voting was instituted, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of votes cast. We were pleased to see the support for the anti-hazing language as well. The members in attendance made suggestions regarding discussion of ballot issues. The board will give those careful consideration.”
All changes were approved by vote of 96.8 percent or more. Four hundred sixty-three ballots were cast. (Posted 7/1/2010)
A third candidate for EdTA vice president will be added to the ballot in the upcoming vice president and board director election. Jay Seller has submitted valid petition documents to have his name placed on the ballot. The candidates for vice president are:
- Gloria McIntyre, a recently retired theatre educator from Strongsville (Ohio) High School, former Ohio chapter director, and past EdTA board member.
- Patricia Santanello, a teacher at Dublin (Ohio) Scioto High School, former leadership coach and former EdTA board member.
- Jay Seller, a teacher at Thornton (Colorado) Horizon High School, former Territorial Director and current Colorado chapter director.
The Board asked the committee to nominate candidates who added diversity to the board’s composition in gender, age, ethnicity and regional representation with emphasis on 1. Experience on the EdTA governing board.
2. Experience in fundraising and advocacy.
3. Experience in theatre education or a theatre education related field.
4. Participation volunteering for responsibility at major EdTA events and/or, as troupe director bringing students to the Thespian Festival.
5. Vision for EdTA’s future. The individual elected as vice president will have a term that begins August 1, 2011. That person will serve as president from August 1, 2013 through July 31, 2015. The candidates nominated by the committee for board director are: - Merrill Boynton-Cheyne, a teacher at Harris County Carver Middle School, Hamilton, Georgia.
- Karen Pionke, a teacher at Viking Middle School, Gurnee, Illinois.
The Board asked the committee to nominate candidates who added diversity to the board’s composition in gender, age, ethnicity and regional representation with emphasis on 1. Leadership experience as middle school troupe director.
2. Experience in troupe development.
3. Experience with theatre across the curriculum.
4. Experience in Junior Thespian advocacy.
5. Vision for EdTA’s future. The individual selected as the next board director will serve a term that runs from August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2014. As directed by the EdTA Code of Regulations, the committee was charged to seek and nominate at least one candidate for open positions. The candidates’ verbatim responses to qualifications questions and their resumes may be viewed by clicking: Candidates for vice president Candidates for board director “The board was clear in its directions to the committee, showing a great concern for the future of the Association and desire to ensure a breadth of experience and background on the board,” stated committee chair, Jerry Smith. “There were outstanding candidates who submitted vita for both positions.” Electronic ballots will be distributed to all members of the Association, or members may vote during the membership meeting to be held during the 2010 EdTA Annual Conference, September 30-October 3, in New York City. The membership meeting will be held on Saturday, October 2. (Posted 4/6/2010. Revised 6/15/2010) Music Theatre International, the company that licenses some of the best-known titles from Broadway, Off Broadway, and London’s West End and has made popular musicals accessible to thousands of schools, is the recipient of the Educational Theatre Association’s 2010 Standing Ovation Award. John Prignano, MTI’s senior operations officer, will accept the award on Tuesday, June 22 during the 2010 Thespian Festival. The EdTA Standing Ovation Award recognizes a corporation or business making significant contributions to promote and strengthen theatre education through its philanthropic efforts or programs and activities. “We have licensed more than 50,000 school productions since we decided to start an education division with school editions and Broadway Junior,” says Freddie Gershon, president and CEO of MTI. “The shows are now part of American pop culture, with more students participating every year. We are very proud to be recognized by EdTA.” MTI’s contribution to promoting and strengthening theatre education has set the bar for the field, producing a variety of educational resources for musicals. In addition to The Broadway Junior Collection for elementary and middle schools, MTI leases School Edition versions of its musicals for high schools, as well as the RehearScore and OrchEXTRA products. They’ve also demonstrated their support for theatre in the schools by creating musical theatre programming in underserved schools in the New York City area. MTI’s relationship with EdTA goes back many years. Most visibly, the company participated in the Thespian National Company productions of three of its musicals—Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Hairspray—in 2005, 2007, and 2008.
“We at MTI are very proud and honored to be receiving this award from EdTA,” Prignano said. “MTI has been working with EdTA for over ten years, and its support and dedication to theatre and education is vital to keeping theatre in the schools and remains a tremendous asset to young talent around the country. As we know, theatre not only teaches how to ‘act,’ but it builds many life skills needed to be able to succeed in the world. Because one of MTI’s missions is to support initiatives intended to enhance arts and education, EdTA’s parallel goals have made it an ideal partner.” “MTI has done so much to help schools and EdTA reach students and engage them in musical theatre,” said Michael J. Peitz, EdTA executive director. “Their support of our Thespian National Company productions and their work publishing teaching materials for Broadway musicals has helped hundreds of teachers and brought the benefits of theatre involvement to thousands of students. It is my pleasure to award MTI the 2010 Standing Ovation Award in recognition of all of their generosity and vision in taking care of the needs of theatre students and teachers.” MTI takes its place in an illustrious group of past recipients of the EdTA Standing Ovation Award, including the Bravo television network (2001), Camp Broadway (2002), Glencoe/McGraw-Hill (2003), Camp Bravo (2004), Procter & Gamble Productions (2005), Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (2006), Electronic Theatre Controls (2007), and Interactive Educational Video (2008). (Posted 6/11/2010)
Paul L. King, the Executive Director of the Office of the Arts and Special Projects at the New York City Department of Education, will be a keynote speaker at the Educational Theatre Association’s annual conference in New York City September 30-October 3. He joins previously announced featured speakers actor Kevin Kline and actor-director Joe Mantello. King was appointed to his position last December after spending four years as the Department of Education’s Director of Theater Programs. In this role, he helped create instructional resources to support arts education in New York City public schools, including the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts: Theatre. The Theatre Blueprint and subsequent professional development has helped increase the number of theatre educators in New York City schools. King also guided the development and editing of a Blueprint video that features successful K-12 teaching practices for all four art forms. As a union stage manager and stage director (member of Actor’s Equity and American Guild of Musical Artists), King has worked with Sir Peter Hall, Mark Lamos, Scott Ellis, Lee Breuer and Emily Mann among other prominent artists. He has served as an artist educator for various opera companies and theaters in the United States with over twelve years experience in high school, middle schools and elementary school instruction. Additionally, King has been a teacher, stage director and guest artist for singer training programs at Chautauqua Opera, The Glimmerglass Opera, The Manhattan School of Music and SUNY/Purchase. This year’s EdTA Conference theme, “The Heart of It All,” will focus on ways in which collaboration between professional theatre artists and educators can create better theatre experiences and learning for students. Along with King, Kline and Mantello, the event will feature a panel on the future of the National Standards for Theatre Education; eight daylong pre- and post-conference Professional Development Institutes; more than fifty workshops; an exhibitor showcase; and the annual EdTA Hall of Fame induction dinner. To find out complete details about the conference and to register go to “The Heart of it All.” (Posted 6/9/2010)
The Educational Theatre Association annual conference will include keynote remarks by actor Kevin Kline and a Q&A with actor-director Joe Mantello.
Kline is one of America’s most honored and versatile actors, earning equal distinction in both theatre and film. He earned a best actor Academy Award for the film A Fish Called Wanda and Tony Awards for On the Twentieth Century and The Pirates of Penzance. Kline’s theatre credits include several Shakespearean roles for the Public Theater ( King Lear, Richard III, Henry V, Duke Vincentio in Measure for Measure, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and the title role in Hamlet twice). He won an Obie for Sustained Achievement for his work in the first Hamlet production, and for the second, five Drama Desk nominations, including best director and actor. He also co-directed Hamlet for PBS’s Great Performances series, and appeared in the Public’s Shakespeare in the Park opposite Meryl Streep in The Seagull and in Mother Courage. He was most recently seen on Broadway in Cyrano de Bergerac. For his performance as the title character, he received an Outer Critics Circle Award; the production was also produced for PBS’s Great Performance Series. Kline’s many films credits include The Big Chill, Silverado, Grand Canyon, French Kiss, Cry Freedom, The Ice Storm, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and A Prairie Home Companion. He recently filmed The Extra Man and Caroline Bottaro’s French language film Queen to Play. Joe Mantello’s wide range of theatre directing credits include Wicked (currently on Broadway and other productions worldwide), Pal Joey, 9 to 5 the Musical, The Ritz, Three Days of Rain, The Odd Couple, Glengarry Glen Ross, Assassins, Take Me Out, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, The Vagina Monologues, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Mineola Twins, Corpus Christi, and The Santaland Diaries. He also directed the film version of Love! Valour! Compassion! Mantello won best-director awards for Wicked, Take Me Out, and Assassins. As an actor he’s appeared in Angels in America (for which he earned a Drama Desk Award and a Tony nomination) and The Baltimore Waltz. Mantello is a member of New York City’s Naked Angels theatre company, and is an associate artist at the Roundabout Theatre Company. This year’s EdTA Conference theme, “The Heart of It All,” will focus on ways in which collaboration between professional theatre artists and educators can create better theatre experiences and learning for students. Along with Kline and Mantello, the event will feature a panel on the future of the National Standards for Theatre Education; eight daylong pre- and post-conference Professional Development Institutes; more than fifty workshops; an exhibitor showcase; and the annual EdTA Hall of Fame induction dinner. To find out complete details about the conference and to register go to “The Heart of it All." (Posted 5/18/2010)
The New York City Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, in collaboration with NOCTI, has released a new assessment test for secondary and post-secondary school technical theatre programs. NOCTI is a national company specializing in the creation of curricular assessment tools for secondary and post-secondary schools. The new technical theatre assessment, developed by a committee of subject matter experts representing industry, union stagehands, secondary, and post-secondary education, aligns with industry standards. It includes both a multiple choice and performance component, measuring basic technical theatre knowledge and understanding as well as the hands-on skills of costuming, makeup and hair, scenic and prop construction, electrics, sound, and stage management.
Paul King, executive director of the Office of Arts and Special Projects said, “The New York City Department of Education is honored to have led this initiative and to have partnered with industry, school and higher level experts to craft this assessment. We are confident that the technical theatre assessment will validate and promote technical theatre programs by providing a rigorous and authentic indicator of student achievement.” Schools and districts can purchase the technical theater assessment through NOCTI, using their online form. Individual online pre-tests are $11; post-tests are $18.50 each. Performance tests are $7.50 each. Schools will have an option to select one or more specialty areas for the performance component based on the student’s technical theatre expertise. To learn more about the assessment, visit the “Other Available Titles” section of NOCTI’s website under Assessment Blueprints at www.nocti.org/OtherTestTitles.cfm. (Posted 4/27/2010)
The Federal Communications Commission has issued a "vacate date" prohibiting the sale and use of wireless microphones operating in the 700 MHz frequency. The Commission stated that June 12, 2010 would be the final date for the use of wireless microphones in the bandwidth (specifically 698-806 MHz). Wireless microphones have been used without regulation in the bandwidth for more than thirty years. Future use of the band will be dedicated to emergency services and new, so-called TV band devices such as phones and personal computers.
The FCC’s January 15 statement said: “These unlicensed devices cannot continue to operate in the band as they may cause harmful interference to public safety entities and the next generation consumer devices that will be utilizing the 700 MHz frequency.” In addition, a wireless microphone user is required to terminate service in the band within sixty days of receiving notice that a 700 MHz public safety or commercial device will be beginning service earlier than June 12. If a user is notified that the microphones are actually causing interference to any public safety device or commercial licensee, they must cease operation immediately. The Educational Theatre Association, along with several performing arts, sports, and religious organizations (the Coalition of Wireless Microphone Users) filed suit last year expressing concern that wireless devices would not be eligible for protection from interference under the new FCC rules. Partly as a result of that lawsuit and work by CWMU attorney David Pawlik, the FCC is now considering qualifying wireless microphones under a set of rules that would provide for licensing, registration in a database that would monitor transmitter locations, and protection from interference. No deadline for this decision was announced. For more information about the FCC’s ruling, go to www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones. The website offers information for consumers as to whether their wireless devices are currently operating in the prohibited band and if their devices may be retuned to operate on another band. Consumers may also call 800-CALL-FCC to ask questions regarding this transition. School theatre directors are urged to do an inventory of their existing equipment; survey other users of wireless devices in their schools and district; and educate administrators, school boards, and community members about the wireless transition and the FCC deadline. Currently, three manufacturers are offering discounts on new wireless equipment: Shure is offering trade-in rebates of up to $1,000 on their or other manufacturer’s 700 MHz systems until June 30, 2010. Sennheiser is offering rebates on their systems purchased prior to December 1, 2008; discounts are also available for other manufacturer’s systems. Rebate claims for Sennheiser must be postmarked by July 15, 2010. Sony is offering rebates of up to $400 on select systems until March 30, 2010. (Posted 1/27/10)
The U.S. Department of Education held an arts education “stakeholders” meeting January 20 in Washington, D.C. to discuss the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The meeting was led by Assistant Deputy Secretary Jim Shelton. The Educational Theatre Association’s Director of Educational Policy, James Palmarini, was among the invited participants. The meeting was significant in that it was the first time that the national arts education community had been invited to specifically address reauthorization policy efforts. The DOE has been holding meetings since last June to discuss various education topics, in anticipation of a vote by Congress on reauthorization of the education act, known in its most recent version as No Child Left Behind. To read the remarks presented on behalf of EdTA, go to www.edta.org/eseameeting. The U.S. Department of Education’s complete summary of arts stakeholders may be found at www.edta.org/eseameetingsummary. (Posted 1/27/10)
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has endorsed the collection of key data in all core subjects as defined by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). CCSSO plays a major role in policy decisions by the U.S Department of Education and state departments of education. The recommendation was proposed by the Education Information Management Advisory Consortium following a presentation at their annual meeting about rising concerns among education leaders that non-tested subjects would be excluded from the development of state data gathering systems.
The recommendation states: “Chiefs should encourage data collections of school courses, teachers, and numbers of students enrolled. Collections should include the core academic subjects as defined by ESEA as well as physical education, health, and career technology education.” (ESEA defines core academic subjects as English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography.) The Educational Theatre Association, along with other professional arts education associations, partnered with State Education Agency Director of Arts Education (SEADAE) to push for the inclusion of the arts in the data collection endorsement. Currently no data exists to determine the number of students participating in arts education across the nation, the number of schools with arts programs, or the schools in which arts offerings are not available. EdTA Executive Director Michael Peitz called the recommendation a major step forward in the effort to learn more about the status of arts education in public and private schools throughout the country. “If we expect our legislators, administrators, and teachers to make sound decisions about curriculum we need to know as much information as possible about students, schools, and educators,” he said. “This data can make a real difference to all non-tested subject areas.” (Posted 1/27/10)
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has issued a statement stating his support of arts education as a core academic subject area in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). In a letter released August 13, Duncan said that the arts play an important role in providing American students a well-rounded education and can help them “become tenacious, team-oriented problem solvers who are confident and able to think creatively.”
EdTA Executive Director Michael J. Peitz characterized the statement as a strong message from the Obama administration. “It’s heartening to know that the secretary understands the value of arts education to our students today,” he said. “Hopefully this will lead to better federal and state financial support for curricular programs. I’d urge all of our members to print this statement and pass it on to their colleagues and administrators.” In support of the letter, Secretary Duncan conducted a conference call interview on Tuesday, August 18. The interview was conducted by Mary Luehrsen, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for National Association of Music Manufacturers. (Updated 8/18/09) Secretary Duncan’s statement Back to top of page New four-year chapter director terms in the two regions begin August 1, 2011. All candidates, including incumbent chapter directors, are required to submit a curriculum vita in order to be considered for the position. Vitae are due at the EdTA home office by October 1. The submitted vitae are turned over to each state’s chapter board, which will review them and forward at least one nomination to the EdTA nominating committee. Balloting for contested seats will occur in January. Region 1 includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, New Zealand, and the Western Pacific Islands. Region 3 includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. For the timeline and process, click the link below.
Process and Timeline for Regions 1 and 3 (PDF) For a description of the duties and responsibilities of chapter directors and a volunteer leader candidate vita form, click the links below.
2010-2011 EdTA Chapter Director Duties and Responsibilities (PDF)
EdTA Volunteer Leader Candidate Vita Form (PDF) (Posted 8/18/10)
The Educational Theatre Association has begun accepting applications from its members to serve on the newly forming EdTA Advocacy Task Force. The mission of the group is to promote the interests of the organization and the field on national, state, and local issues that impact K-12 theatre education. The task force will include one representative from each of EdTA’s four regions, an at-large representative, the executive director, and the EdTA director of educational policy.
“There’s a real need for us to step up with our expertise and experience,” said James Palmarini, director of educational policy. “In these difficult times, arts education is at serious risk, but it’s also an era of great opportunity. EdTA has a responsibility to add our voice to the national conversation on everything from reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to the revision of the National Standards for Arts Education. What we want to do with the task force is to build a network of state and local theatre education advocates who can share what they know and what they’re doing to promote and protect their programs and students.”
EdTA members interested in representing their region should send a short email letter to jpalmarini@schooltheatre.org that includes a summary of past or present advocacy and policy work in their district and state. Deadline for applications is October 15, 2010. (Posted 7/29/2010)
On July 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Resolution 275, expressing support for the designation of the second week of September as Arts in Education Week. Sponsored by Representative Jackie Speier of California with the support of Broadway star Carol Channing, the bill states, “Whereas arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students.”
The bill calls for governors and other elected officials to issue proclamations to raise awareness of the value and importance of arts education, and encourages President Obama to issue a proclamation encouraging people throughout the country to observe the week with appropriate activities. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills released the Skills Map for the Arts at a Capitol Hill briefing on July 15. The map, outlining thirteen skills, outcomes, and lesson examples at grades four, eight, and twelve in the four arts areas (theatre, music, dance, and visual arts), was created by the leading arts education professional organizations. The Educational Theatre Association collaborated with the American Alliance for Theatre & Education to create the map’s twelve theatre examples. Executive Director Michael Peitz and EdTA Director of Educational Policy James Palmarini attended the briefing. EdTA member and map writer Dale Schmid spoke on behalf of theatre’s role in the process and 2010 EdTA Arts Advocacy Day Essay Competition winner Elliah Heifetz was one of four students to speak on how arts education had impacted their lives.
Other participating organizations were the National Art Education Association, MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the National Dance Association, and the National Dance Education Organization.
| EdTA Executive Director Michael Peitz, 2010 Arts Advocacy Day Essay winner Elliah Heifetz, and Upper Dublin High School theatre director Deborah Thompson at the 21st Century Partnership Arts Map briefing in Washington, D.C.
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The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a national organization that advocates for twenty-first century readiness for every student. P21 and its member organizations stress the need for U. S. education to include “four Cs” (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity) as part of teacher practice in order for the United States to continue to compete in a global economy.
Kathy Hurley, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for the education services and technology company Pearson and P21 executive board and strategic council chair, said, “I commend America’s leading arts education professional associations for joining forces to create a tool that illustrates how the four Cs can be fused with arts education. This new document, P21’s fifth core content map, provides practical examples that educators can model as they work to ensure 21st century readiness for every student.”
In the briefing, a map writer from each discipline addressed how one of the four Cs was illustrated in a map example. Schmid addressed the skill of creativity and its student outcomes in the following theatre example:
“Students write short original plays, cast them with classmates, workshop the scripts over a designated period, and present them in a staged reading. Through discussions with the audience, cast members, and teachers, they make decisions about what worked well in their plays and what did not, revise the scripts, and submit them to a student playwriting competition.”
In his remarks, Schmid noted a Newsweek article that said a recent IBM poll of 1,500 CEOs identified creativity as the number one “leadership competency” of the future, and that recent data on a highly regarded test measuring creativity suggests that American creativity skills are declining, particularly among children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Heifetz, a rising senior at Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, was accompanied by his theatre director, Deborah Thompson. Speaking of how his theatre experience has shaped his life, Heifetz said, “All my life, creativity has pushed me forward simply because of the way it makes my mind work. As I change skins from child to teenager and eventually to adult, I advance chiefly because the art that I am involved in now has taught me how.”
Peitz said the The 21st Century Skills Map for the Arts was a major step forward in confirming the arts as a core subject. “In its examples and outcomes, the arts map clearly illustrates how sound teaching practice in theatre, dance, visual arts, and music can nurture and promote the fundamental skills our students need to succeed in today’s world.
“We all know that the 4Cs of creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, along with all the other skills cited in the framework, happen every day in our classrooms and on our stages,” said Peitz. “I hope business leaders, school administrators, legislators, and educators themselves will use the arts skills map to help support their efforts to promote curricular arts programs in our schools.” (Posted 7/19/2010)
Following is a complete list of the honors and awards presented at Thespian Festival 2010
Standing Ovation Award
Music Theatre International Administrator’s Award
Greg Schwab, Principal, Mountlake Terrace High School, Mountlake Terrace, Washington. Nominated by Jeannie Brzovic, director of Troupe 3627.
Mark Pinder, Principal, Milwaukie High School, Milwaukie, Oregon. Nominated by Scott Walker, director of Troupe 75.
Marina Davis, Principal, Dublin Scioto High School, Dublin, Ohio (deceased). Nominated by Patricia Santanello, director of Troupe 5440. Outstanding Educator Award
Anita Lippman, Brentwood High School, Troupe 1061, St. Louis, Missouri. Nominated by Joey Merlotti.
Robert Henrichs, Lincoln Southwest High School, Troupe 6547, Lincoln, Nebraska. Nominated by Austin Blankenau.
Michelle Moss, Valley View High School, Troupe 7074, Jonesboro, Arkansas. Nominated by Cody Campbell. Outstanding School Award
Greenwich High School, Troupe 243, Greenwich, Connecticut. Troupe director Richard Kohn. A four time award winner, Greenwich High School also received this award in 1995, 2000, and 2005. President’s Award
J. Jason Daunter, Assistant Stage Manager for the Broadway production of Wicked Jhon Marshall/International Thespian Officers Outstanding Student Achievement Scholarship
James Kennedy from Northwest School of the Arts’ Thespian Troupe 5634 in Charlotte, North Carolina Jhon Marshall/International Thespian Officers (ITO) Outstanding Student Technical Achievement Scholarship
Jamie Wagner from Troupe 4088 at Susquehannock High School in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania Bob and Marti Fowler Future Theatre Educator Scholarship
Marisa Moosekian from Thespian Troupe 2005 at Turlock (California) High School Thespian Scholarships Melba Day Henning Theatre Education Scholarship
Zachary Kattwinkel, Thespian Troupe 3178 at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Theatre Educator Scholarship
Hanna Staelin-Lefsky, Thespian Troupe 2808 at Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado Bob Johnson/Hector Cruz Scholarship
Cody Campbell, Thespian Troupe 7074 at Valley View High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas Tech Scholarship
Katie Dudley, Thespian Troupe 1915 at West Linn (Oregon) High School Theatre Performance Scholarships
Excellence in Technical Theatre Scholarship
Jackson Gallagher, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (Ohio) High School Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship
Samantha Sheffer, Thespian Troupe 1966 at Temple (Texas) High School Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship
Brittany Vicar, Thespian Troupe 5869 at the Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts Excellence in Theatre Performance Scholarship
Richard Eisloeffel, Thespian Troupe 3461 at Lincoln (Nebraska) High School Doug Finney Festival Grant
George “Austin” Allen, Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts (Shawn Hann, Troupe director)
Eden Rain Eemissee, Roosevelt High School, Seattle, Washington (Ruben Van Kempen, Troupe director)
Patrick Mahoney, Northshore High School, Slidell, Louisiana (Michael R. Peterson, Troupe director)
Lindsay Johnson, Prairie Heights High School, Wolcottville, Indiana (Corrine Reed, Troupe director) International Thespian Society Leadership Grant
Molly McGuire, Classical Magnet School, Troupe 7168, Hartford, Connecticut
Tech Challenge Tech Challenge teams
1st Place P.A.C. Mule, Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School
2nd Place Studio VII Techies, Thespian Troupe 7014 at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas
3rd Place Ohio Domination, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (Ohio) High School Top Team In Costume Change Event
Karen Goodner & Kara Leathers, Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School Top Time In Knot Tying
Nick Schelom, Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School Top Time In Sew A Button
Darla Davis, Thespian Troupe 6319 at Denison (Texas) High Top Time In Light Hang & Focus
Jackson Gallagher, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (Ohio) High School Top Team in Leg a Platform Event
Michael Asel and Adrian Richter, Thespian Troupe 7014 at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas Top Team in Layout a Ground Plan Event
Thespian Troupe 6338 at Alma (Arkansas) High School Thespian Playworks
Christopher Poore (The Porcelain Vase), Troupe 759, General William J. Palmer H.S. Colorado Springs, CO
Meg Bradley (Splinters), Troupe 69, Dubuque Senior H.S.
Dubuque, IA
Allie Lehnhoff (A Backwards Fairytale), Troupe 7225, Lee’s Summit Community Christian School, Lee’s Summit, MO
Lien Le (In Facebook Wii Trust), Troupe 5367, Nolan Catholic H.S., Fort Worth, TX Individual Events Showcase Performances Solo Musical
Henry Van Leishout, Thespian Troupe 5832 at Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Washington, for Who’d I Be Monologue
Madeline Angulo, Thespian Troupe 5134 at Green Valley High School in Las Vegas, Fat Pig and Equus Mime
Scott Trout and Zach Eulberg, Thespian Troupe 2808 at Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado for Frasie Schiaviti Solo Musical
Danielle Grays, Thespian Troupe 264 at Parkersburg (West Virginia) High School, for Everything I Know
Duet Acting
Alex Baggett and Josh Brown from Thespian Troupe 5869 at the Denver (Colorado) School of the Arts, for Reasons to be Pretty Mime
Aaron Groenke, Thespian Ttroupe 3543 at Round Rock (Texas) High School, for Up, Up and Away Solo Musical
Sydney Farley, Thespian Troupe 5408 at Portland (Oregon) Christian High School, for Trip to the Library Group Musical
Members of Thespin Troupe 6605 at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas, for Freak Flag Monologue
Robert Henkel, Thespian Ttroupe 176 at Judson Senior High School in Converse, Texas for Homefront and Inner Baby Group Musical
Members of Willow Canyon High School Thespian Troupe 6901 from Surprise, Arizona, for Money Monologue
Tasha Gerel, Thespian Troupe 3689 at Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, for Leaves and Pretentious Young Group Acting
Bird, Fries, & Walker of Thespian Troupe 5989 at Monarch High School in Golden, Colorado, for The Tarantino Variation Individual Event Technical Recognition Theatre Marketing
Dessie Jackson, Thespian Troupe 274 at Penn Manor High School in Willow Street, Pennsylvania for Check Please Costume Construction
Paige Murray, Thespian Troupe 5741 at St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico Costume Design
Carter Kidd, Thespian Troupe 1338 at Jonesboro (Arkansas) High School, for A Midsummer Night’s Dream Lighting Design
Jackson Gallagher, Thespian Troupe 2204 at Centerville (OH) High School, forA Midsummer Night’s Dream
Scenic Design
James Roeder, Thespian Troupe 1966 at Temple (Texas) High School, for
Triangle Factory Fire Project Sound Design
Joel Williams, Thespian Troupe 1966 at Temple (Texas) High School, for Triangle Factory Fire Project Stage Management
Austin Allen, Thespian Troupe 5869 at the Denver School of the Arts for Urinetown Two millionth Thespian
Raymond “R.J.” Harding, Thespian Troupe 7321 at Ola High School in McDonough, Georgia (Posted 7/18/2010)
At a special meeting of EdTA members held at the Thespian Festival on June 25, the members approved three changes to the code of regulations.
Two of the changes will streamline voting procedures; one will strengthen the association’s anti-hazing policy.
Issue one approved all language to require and manage electronic balloting to supplement paper balloting used for voting at regular or special membership meetings. The existing code permitted, but did not require, electronic voting.
Issue two approved changes to the definition of a “member in good standing” to clarify eligibility to vote.
Issue three approved placing a reference in the Code of Regulations to refer to the association’s anti-hazing policy as an exhibit to the code.
“We believe that these changes to require electronic balloting will improve the election process,” said board President Debby Gibbs. “Since electronic voting was instituted, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of votes cast. We were pleased to see the support for the anti-hazing language as well. The members in attendance made suggestions regarding discussion of ballot issues. The board will give those careful consideration.”
All changes were approved by vote of 96.8 percent or more. Four hundred sixty-three ballots were cast. (Posted 7/1/2010)
A third candidate for EdTA vice president will be added to the ballot in the upcoming vice president and board director election. Jay Seller has submitted valid petition documents to have his name placed on the ballot. The candidates for vice president are:
- Gloria McIntyre, a recently retired theatre educator from Strongsville (Ohio) High School, former Ohio chapter director, and past EdTA board member.
- Patricia Santanello, a teacher at Dublin (Ohio) Scioto High School, former leadership coach and former EdTA board member.
- Jay Seller, a teacher at Thornton (Colorado) Horizon High School, former Territorial Director and current Colorado chapter director.
The Board asked the committee to nominate candidates who added diversity to the board’s composition in gender, age, ethnicity and regional representation with emphasis on 1. Experience on the EdTA governing board.
2. Experience in fundraising and advocacy.
3. Experience in theatre education or a theatre education related field.
4. Participation volunteering for responsibility at major EdTA events and/or, as troupe director bringing students to the Thespian Festival.
5. Vision for EdTA’s future. The individual elected as vice president will have a term that begins August 1, 2011. That person will serve as president from August 1, 2013 through July 31, 2015. The candidates nominated by the committee for board director are: - Merrill Boynton-Cheyne, a teacher at Harris County Carver Middle School, Hamilton, Georgia.
- Karen Pionke, a teacher at Viking Middle School, Gurnee, Illinois.
The Board asked the committee to nominate candidates who added diversity to the board’s composition in gender, age, ethnicity and regional representation with emphasis on 1. Leadership experience as middle school troupe director.
2. Experience in troupe development.
3. Experience with theatre across the curriculum.
4. Experience in Junior Thespian advocacy.
5. Vision for EdTA’s future. The individual selected as the next board director will serve a term that runs from August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2014. As directed by the EdTA Code of Regulations, the committee was charged to seek and nominate at least one candidate for open positions. The candidates’ verbatim responses to qualifications questions and their resumes may be viewed by clicking: Candidates for vice president Candidates for board director “The board was clear in its directions to the committee, showing a great concern for the future of the Association and desire to ensure a breadth of experience and background on the board,” stated committee chair, Jerry Smith. “There were outstanding candidates who submitted vita for both positions.” Electronic ballots will be distributed to all members of the Association, or members may vote during the membership meeting to be held during the 2010 EdTA Annual Conference, September 30-October 3, in New York City. The membership meeting will be held on Saturday, October 2. (Posted 4/6/2010. Revised 6/15/2010) Music Theatre International, the company that licenses some of the best-known titles from Broadway, Off Broadway, and London’s West End and has made popular musicals accessible to thousands of schools, is the recipient of the Educational Theatre Association’s 2010 Standing Ovation Award. John Prignano, MTI’s senior operations officer, will accept the award on Tuesday, June 22 during the 2010 Thespian Festival. The EdTA Standing Ovation Award recognizes a corporation or business making significant contributions to promote and strengthen theatre education through its philanthropic efforts or programs and activities. “We have licensed more than 50,000 school productions since we decided to start an education division with school editions and Broadway Junior,” says Freddie Gershon, president and CEO of MTI. “The shows are now part of American pop culture, with more students participating every year. We are very proud to be recognized by EdTA.” MTI’s contribution to promoting and strengthening theatre education has set the bar for the field, producing a variety of educational resources for musicals. In addition to The Broadway Junior Collection for elementary and middle schools, MTI leases School Edition versions of its musicals for high schools, as well as the RehearScore and OrchEXTRA products. They’ve also demonstrated their support for theatre in the schools by creating musical theatre programming in underserved schools in the New York City area. MTI’s relationship with EdTA goes back many years. Most visibly, the company participated in the Thespian National Company productions of three of its musicals—Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Hairspray—in 2005, 2007, and 2008.
“We at MTI are very proud and honored to be receiving this award from EdTA,” Prignano said. “MTI has been working with EdTA for over ten years, and its support and dedication to theatre and education is vital to keeping theatre in the schools and remains a tremendous asset to young talent around the country. As we know, theatre not only teaches how to ‘act,’ but it builds many life skills needed to be able to succeed in the world. Because one of MTI’s missions is to support initiatives intended to enhance arts and education, EdTA’s parallel goals have made it an ideal partner.” “MTI has done so much to help schools and EdTA reach students and engage them in musical theatre,” said Michael J. Peitz, EdTA executive director. “Their support of our Thespian National Company productions and their work publishing teaching materials for Broadway musicals has helped hundreds of teachers and brought the benefits of theatre involvement to thousands of students. It is my pleasure to award MTI the 2010 Standing Ovation Award in recognition of all of their generosity and vision in taking care of the needs of theatre students and teachers.” MTI takes its place in an illustrious group of past recipients of the EdTA Standing Ovation Award, including the Bravo television network (2001), Camp Broadway (2002), Glencoe/McGraw-Hill (2003), Camp Bravo (2004), Procter & Gamble Productions (2005), Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (2006), Electronic Theatre Controls (2007), and Interactive Educational Video (2008). (Posted 6/11/2010)
Paul L. King, the Executive Director of the Office of the Arts and Special Projects at the New York City Department of Education, will be a keynote speaker at the Educational Theatre Association’s annual conference in New York City September 30-October 3. He joins previously announced featured speakers actor Kevin Kline and actor-director Joe Mantello. King was appointed to his position last December after spending four years as the Department of Education’s Director of Theater Programs. In this role, he helped create instructional resources to support arts education in New York City public schools, including the Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts: Theatre. The Theatre Blueprint and subsequent professional development has helped increase the number of theatre educators in New York City schools. King also guided the development and editing of a Blueprint video that features successful K-12 teaching practices for all four art forms. As a union stage manager and stage director (member of Actor’s Equity and American Guild of Musical Artists), King has worked with Sir Peter Hall, Mark Lamos, Scott Ellis, Lee Breuer and Emily Mann among other prominent artists. He has served as an artist educator for various opera companies and theaters in the United States with over twelve years experience in high school, middle schools and elementary school instruction. Additionally, King has been a teacher, stage director and guest artist for singer training programs at Chautauqua Opera, The Glimmerglass Opera, The Manhattan School of Music and SUNY/Purchase. This year’s EdTA Conference theme, “The Heart of It All,” will focus on ways in which collaboration between professional theatre artists and educators can create better theatre experiences and learning for students. Along with King, Kline and Mantello, the event will feature a panel on the future of the National Standards for Theatre Education; eight daylong pre- and post-conference Professional Development Institutes; more than fifty workshops; an exhibitor showcase; and the annual EdTA Hall of Fame induction dinner. To find out complete details about the conference and to register go to “The Heart of it All.” (Posted 6/9/2010)
The Educational Theatre Association annual conference will include keynote remarks by actor Kevin Kline and a Q&A with actor-director Joe Mantello.
Kline is one of America’s most honored and versatile actors, earning equal distinction in both theatre and film. He earned a best actor Academy Award for the film A Fish Called Wanda and Tony Awards for On the Twentieth Century and The Pirates of Penzance. Kline’s theatre credits include several Shakespearean roles for the Public Theater ( King Lear, Richard III, Henry V, Duke Vincentio in Measure for Measure, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and the title role in Hamlet twice). He won an Obie for Sustained Achievement for his work in the first Hamlet production, and for the second, five Drama Desk nominations, including best director and actor. He also co-directed Hamlet for PBS’s Great Performances series, and appeared in the Public’s Shakespeare in the Park opposite Meryl Streep in The Seagull and in Mother Courage. He was most recently seen on Broadway in Cyrano de Bergerac. For his performance as the title character, he received an Outer Critics Circle Award; the production was also produced for PBS’s Great Performance Series. Kline’s many films credits include The Big Chill, Silverado, Grand Canyon, French Kiss, Cry Freedom, The Ice Storm, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and A Prairie Home Companion. He recently filmed The Extra Man and Caroline Bottaro’s French language film Queen to Play. Joe Mantello’s wide range of theatre directing credits include Wicked (currently on Broadway and other productions worldwide), Pal Joey, 9 to 5 the Musical, The Ritz, Three Days of Rain, The Odd Couple, Glengarry Glen Ross, Assassins, Take Me Out, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, The Vagina Monologues, Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Mineola Twins, Corpus Christi, and The Santaland Diaries. He also directed the film version of Love! Valour! Compassion! Mantello won best-director awards for Wicked, Take Me Out, and Assassins. As an actor he’s appeared in Angels in America (for which he earned a Drama Desk Award and a Tony nomination) and The Baltimore Waltz. Mantello is a member of New York City’s Naked Angels theatre company, and is an associate artist at the Roundabout Theatre Company. This year’s EdTA Conference theme, “The Heart of It All,” will focus on ways in which collaboration between professional theatre artists and educators can create better theatre experiences and learning for students. Along with Kline and Mantello, the event will feature a panel on the future of the National Standards for Theatre Education; eight daylong pre- and post-conference Professional Development Institutes; more than fifty workshops; an exhibitor showcase; and the annual EdTA Hall of Fame induction dinner. To find out complete details about the conference and to register go to “The Heart of it All." (Posted 5/18/2010)
The New York City Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects, in collaboration with NOCTI, has released a new assessment test for secondary and post-secondary school technical theatre programs. NOCTI is a national company specializing in the creation of curricular assessment tools for secondary and post-secondary schools. The new technical theatre assessment, developed by a committee of subject matter experts representing industry, union stagehands, secondary, and post-secondary education, aligns with industry standards. It includes both a multiple choice and performance component, measuring basic technical theatre knowledge and understanding as well as the hands-on skills of costuming, makeup and hair, scenic and prop construction, electrics, sound, and stage management.
Paul King, executive director of the Office of Arts and Special Projects said, “The New York City Department of Education is honored to have led this initiative and to have partnered with industry, school and higher level experts to craft this assessment. We are confident that the technical theatre assessment will validate and promote technical theatre programs by providing a rigorous and authentic indicator of student achievement.” Schools and districts can purchase the technical theater assessment through NOCTI, using their online form. Individual online pre-tests are $11; post-tests are $18.50 each. Performance tests are $7.50 each. Schools will have an option to select one or more specialty areas for the performance component based on the student’s technical theatre expertise. To learn more about the assessment, visit the “Other Available Titles” section of NOCTI’s |