A NATIONAL EVENT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE

February 12–14, 2016 Denison High School in Denison, Texas WWW.SCHOOLTHEATRE.ORG/JRFESTIVAL THESPIANNATION.TUMBLR.COM Welcome to the Junior Thespian Festival 2016

One of my favorite theatre teachers used a call-and-response game to motivate her students. “What type of actor do you not want to be?” she would ask. “Boring!” we’d respond. “What should you be instead?” “Interesting!” “How can you be interesting?” “Take creative risks!” She encouraged us to make bold choices, and she empowered us to attempt, to fail, and to learn. In her theatre class, I was allowed to embrace my creative self, to be unique—to Be a Character. The Junior Thespian Festival speaks directly to the heart of the Educational Theatre Association’s mission: honoring student achievement. Theatre makes great learners. And great learners go on to make great leaders, thinkers, citizens, and individuals. The study of theatre reinforces a balanced, rigorous curriculum, driving home for students lessons in language arts, math, and history. In theatre, students gain leadership skills, practice creative problem-solving, and work in teams toward a common goal. We strive to provide experiences like the Junior Thespian Festival, where students can learn and grow as people and as artists. This is going to be a great weekend of theatre. Many people have worked hard to make Junior Thespian Festival 2016 happen. EdTA and our student honorary organization, the International Thespian Society, would like to thank our event sponsors Music Theatre International, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Playbill, Samuel French Inc., and Tams-Witmark Music Library. We also thank all of the incredible teaching artists as well as our outstanding featured guest, Matthew Lee Robinson, for sharing their time and expertise. And thank you to all the teachers, parents, and school administrators who have made it possible for their students to attend this year’s Junior Thespian Festival. Finally, EdTA would like to extend a special thank you to our host, Denison High School and Troupe Director Amy Jordan. Again, welcome everyone. This weekend, embrace what makes you unique. Be a character and act well your part.

Craig Branch Junior Thespian Festival coordinator

2 thespiannation.tumblr.com Badges: Delegates must wear badges at all times. The Junior Thespian Festival emergency number is There are times when schools will be on different 513.205.7493. A first aid kit will be available at the schedules, which are distinguished by the color of Information Desk. their badge insert. If your badge insert is blue, your I.E. assessments and awards: Individual Event as- school must follow the blue times for the Junior Tech sessment forms and superior medallions will be avail- Challenge and Individual Events; if your badge insert able for troupe directors to pick up in the theatre lob- is yellow, your school must follow the yellow times. by on Sunday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Please be aware of your school’s badge insert color. Adult Hospitality Room: An adult hospitality room Curfew: On Friday, delegates should be in their hotel is located in the teachers lounge, just off main cor- room with the lights out no later than 10:30 p.m. On ridor near the cafeteria. It will be open to all troupe Saturday night, curfew is 11:00 p.m. Earlier curfews directors, chaperones, teaching artists, and exhibitors may be set by troupe directors and chaperones. on Friday (4 – 10 p.m.) and Saturday (8:30 a.m. – Meals: Breakfast each morning will be on your own. 5:00 p.m.) Friday dinner, Saturday lunch, and Saturday dinner Workshops: Workshops may be intended for a spe- will be served in the cafeteria. A snack will be served cific audience or level of experience. Read the work- Saturday afternoon between workshop sessions 3 and shop descriptions in this program to see which are 4, also in the cafeteria. Food or beverages are not al- best for you. Chaperones are encouraged to attend, lowed in the classrooms or theatre. as well. Security: Our host, Denison High School, has a beau- Mobile program: In addition to this print program, tiful new facility. Respect the school’s property and the Junior Thespian Festival is using Guidebook, the property of other people. For your own safety, do which you can access with your Apple or Android not go into areas of campus that are not being used device, Windows phone, or internet connection. for the event. The first floor of the school is off-limits To download Guidebook, visit your app store or to all delegates. guidebook.com/guides. Search for Junior Thespian Emergencies: Delegates must complete the infor- Festival 2016. This mobile app is sponsored by mation on the back of their badges. If you are lost, Samuel French, Inc. sick, or hurt, inform your troupe director or an adult.

About the Educational Theatre Association The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is a national nonprofit organization with approximately 100,000 student and professional members. EdTA’s mission is shaping lives through theatre education by: honoring student achievement in theatre, supporting the professional needs of theatre educators, and in- fluencing public opinion that theatre education builds essential life skills.

About the International Thespian Society The International Thespian Society (ITS) is an honor- ary organization for high school and middle school theatre students at more than 3,900 affiliated secondary schools across the United States, Canada, and abroad. Its mission is to honor student achievement in the the- atre arts. High school inductees are known as Thespi- ans, and junior high and middle school inductees are known as Junior Thespians. ITS is a division of the Educational Theatre Association. thespiannation.tumblr.com 3 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Registration, theatre lobby 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Exhibit area open, theatre lobby 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Junior Thespian Festival 2016 kick-off, Smith Auditorium 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Workshop session 1 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Dinner/troupe time, cafeteria 8:15 – 9:45 p.m. Main stage production: Circus Olympus, Smith Auditorium 10:00 p.m. Return to hotels 10:30 p.m. Curfew SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Exhibit area open, theatre lobby Blue track: Individual Events (see I.E. schedule at registration desk); 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Yellow track: Junior Tech Challenge, Practice Gym Yellow track: Individual Events (see I.E. schedule at registration desk); 10:15 – 11:45 a.m. Blue track: Junior Tech Challenge, Practice Gym 12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch/troupe time, cafeteria 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. Workshop session 2 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Workshop session 3 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Snack break, cafeteria 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Workshop session 4 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Workshop session 5 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. Dinner/troupe time, cafeteria 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Main stage production: , JR., Smith Auditorium 9:15 – 10:30 p.m. JFest Jive!, Practice Gym 10:30 p.m. Return to hotels 11:00 p.m. Curfew SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Exhibit area open, theatre lobby 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Be a Character, Junior Thespians!, Smith Auditorium Individual Event Showcase and Junior Thespian Festival 2016 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony, Smith Auditorium

4 thespiannation.tumblr.com Alabama Oklahoma Our Lady of the Valley School, Junior troupe 88732 Shawnee Middle School

Colorado Tennessee American Academy, Junior troupe 88842 Meigs Academic Magnet Middle School, Cimarron Middle School, Junior troupe 89276 Junior troupe 89330 Mesa Middle School, Junior troupe 89186 Mountain Ridge Middle School, Junior troupe 88933 Texas Sagewood Middle School, Junior troupe 89213 Argyle Middle School, Junior troupe 88845 Briarhill Middle School, Junior troupe 88912 Florida Coppell Middle School West, Junior troupe 88607 Forest Glen Middle School, Junior troupe 89112 Griffin Middle School, Junior troupe 89178 Nautilus Middle School, Junior troupe 89320 Lakeview Middle School, Junior troupe 88447 Oak Hall School, Junior troupe 88826 Lufkin Middle School, Junior troupe 89231 Scott Johnson Middle School, Junior troupe 89279 Georgia Scott Middle School, Junior troupe 88892 The Champion School, Junior troupe 89129 WoodCreek Junior High, Junior troupe 89324

Illinois China Viking Middle School, Junior troupe 88093 Nanjing 29 Middle School Shanghai Foreign Language School Kansas Shanghai Jincai Foreign Language School Westridge Middle School, Junior troupe 89009 Shanghai Luwan High School Shanghai World Foreign Language School Mississippi Zhangjiagang Ivy Experimental School Columbus Middle School, Junior troupe 89074 Zhejiang Fuyang School Pearl Jr. High School, Junior troupe 89177 Saipan Ohio Dandan Middle School, Junior troupe 89328 The Seven Hills School Hopwood Junior High School, Junior troupe 88755 San Antonio Middle School, Junior troupe 88752

Costume Holiday House ITS Spirit Store MTI – Music Theatre International Samuel French, Inc. Stage Partners Theatrefolk TRW – Theatrical Rights Worldwide

thespiannation.tumblr.com 5 Matthew Lee Robinson New York-based Australian composer/lyricist and performer Matthew Lee Robinson has won the UTAS Stephen Schwartz Songwriting Award, the Pratt Prize for Music Theatre, the Gilbert Spottiswood Churchill Fellowship, and the $100,000 Council Music Fellowship. For sheet music, videos, and news, visit www.matthewleerobinson.com. His latest musical in development, Atlantis, was most recently workshopped at the 2015 Canadian Music Theatre Project in Toronto and in New York readings mentored by Stephen Schwartz and representatives from Disney Theatrical Group, Manhattan Theatre Club, and Ambassador Theatre Group. His next musical in development, Hap- py People, has been developed by Village Theatre, Washington, and his first musical, Metro Street, received productions in Australia and South Korea, going on to be nomi- nated for five Helpmann Awards (Australia’s equivalent to the ). Robinson’s other songwriting credits include the Emmy-nominated television series Dance Academy, the musical revue Sing on Through Tomorrow (original cast recording on iTunes), and various songs for the events of Coca-Cola, Nintendo, Nokia, IBM, and Open Tennis Championships. His music has been heard in concert through the Ars Nova NYC Uncharted series, Seattle’s New Voices series, Lincoln Center’s Broadway’s Future Songbook Series, and the 2016 iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta. As a performer, Robinson has appeared in three lead roles for Australia at the , as the title role in Pippin (Sydney Theatre), in the original Australian cast of Mamma Mia!, and on television as a vo- cal coach for the FOX 8 reality television series The Singing Office, in the Tom Hanks/Steven Spielberg miniseries The Pacific, and opposite Mary Tyler Moore in the telemovie A Most Deadly Family. Be in your seat at 5:00 p.m. on Friday—you won’t want to miss Matthew’s show!

Circus Olympus (Friday 8:15) Written by Lindsay Price Produced by Junior Thespian Troupe 88732 from Our Lady of the Valley School, Birmingham, Alabama Michael Bridges, director Performed with special permission from Theatrefolk.

The circus has come to town. Well… sort of. There’s no elephant on a bicycle, but there are the Greek Geeks and have they got a story or two to tell. More specifically, a myth or two: Pandora’s Box, Persephone and the Underworld, King Midas, Athena and Arachne, and don’t forget the Mythapalooza Slam Jam.

The Lion King, JR (Saturday 7:00) sponsored by Music Theatre International Music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice Additional music and lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Will Van Dyke Book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi Based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor Produced by Junior Thespian Troupe 89112 from Forest Glen Middle School, Coral Springs, Florida Pamela Stigger, director Performed with special permission from Music Theatre International.

Join Rafiki and the animals of the Pridelands as they welcome Simba, the newborn cub of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi. Watch Simba grow into a curious young lion, explore the savanna, and learn about the circle of life from his father. Alongside memorable characters like Nala, Zazu, and Timon and Pumbaa, Simba overcomes his father’s murder and finds the strength he needs to assume his rightful place as king of the Pridelands. Experi- ence the music and characters that have captivated the imagination of audiences around the world.

6 thespiannation.tumblr.com A good actor is a good thief, Franklin Steele speare without fear—from punctuation to performance. Students and teachers, all levels Everyone will leave feeling more comfortable with Wil- As actors, where do our choices come from? Would liam’s works. you believe that all artists “steal” from the world around them—a voice, a gesture, or the blink of an Be bold, be brave, be unafraid: The MAP that eye. In this session, we’ll create characters, and each guides successful leaders, International Thespian movement will mean something to you. Come pre- Officers pared to work. Students and teachers, all levels Leading requires bravery. To be successful on your Ace any theatre audition, Gai Jones leadership journey, there are necessary steps to take, Students and teachers, all levels important opportunities to experience, and positive Gain audition insight as you practice entering the traits to develop. In this workshop, we will discuss the room, slating, taking directions, interviewing, improvis- MAP (making your own opportunities, acting the part ing, cold reading, analyzing a short monologue, ex- of a leader, positivity) you need to follow on your path ecuting the final moments of the audition, and exiting to strong leadership. the room with confidence. We will then step into the shoes of the casting director to see it all from the other Choreographing shows for students of all abili- side. Bring your monologues, so you can ace any the- ties, Steven Kennedy atre audition. Teachers and adults, all levels Join a Broadway JR. resident choreographer for this Act up, act out, act right, Franklin Steele workshop on the fundamental skills you need to make Students and teachers, all levels your next musical look spectacular. We will explore Land the role you desperately want. As we study the techniques designed for working with students of audition process, we will examine what directors are varied skill levels all the while maintaining a unified looking for and how to win them over. Come prepared production that successfully tells an engaging story with an audition piece to perform. through dance.

Acting a song, Marty Johnson Creating character through movement, Students only, beginning to intermediate levels Steven Kennedy In a musical, every song tells a story and moves the Students only, all levels plot forward. In this interactive workshop, we will This interactive workshop examines techniques and explore various songs while learning activities designed to help you create believable and techniques that can help us create vivid characters and interesting characters. Focusing on movement, musical become better storytellers. inspiration, and the story, we will strengthen our skills as physical performers. Adult meeting with Educational Theatre Associa- tion’s Executive Director, Julie Cohen Theobald Curtain up: Titles, tips, and tricks to licensing the Teachers and adults, all levels best shows for your middle school, Samuel French/ All Troupe Directors, parents, chaperones, and adults Courtney Kochuba are invited to join the Educational Theatre Association’s Teachers and adults, all levels Executive Director Julie Cohen Theobald to discuss the We want to help your school produce the best show organization’s accomplishments and future goals. Bring possible. Join Samuel French as we review the top your ideas and questions to help shape EdTA’s strate- plays and musicals for middle schools, as well as li- gic plan for the next five years. censing tips and tricks. We’ll end the workshop dis- cussing our newest program, Musicals 101, which was The Bard’s not so bad, Chris Veneris created to support directors when producing a Samuel Students and teachers, all levels French musical. William Shakespeare—or “The Bard”—is often misun- derstood by theatre artists, both young and old. But Don’t waste your breath: Be heard without shouting, anyone can perform Shakespeare, and perform him Amy Shojai well. We will approach the works of William Shake- Students and teachers, all levels

thespiannation.tumblr.com 7 If the audience can’t hear or understand you then what are you doing wrong? Microphones are great, but they turn some actors and singers into wimps. And when the tech stuff goes ker-flooey will your lines and songs be heard? This session teaches you how to project and enunciate whether speaking or singing.

Enticing, expressive ensemble experiences, Gai Jones Students and teachers, all levels This interactive, highly charged workshop gives all par- ticipants a safe place to , laugh, be creative, meet new Junior Thespians, and have fun. You can use these ensemble experiences in classrooms, rehearsals, club meetings—anywhere theatre creativity is needed.

Frantic Assembly movement pieces, Katie Cross Students and teachers, all levels Together, we will learn different techniques to assist in the collaboration and creation of original movement pieces to tell amazing stories. Based on techniques originally devised by the Frantic Assembly theatre com- pany in London, England, this workshop is ideal for ensemble and character building.

Great PR for your theatre program, David LaFleche Teachers and adults, all levels Do you have all the administrative and community support you need for your theatre program? Become a master of PR. Learn how you can use your troupe and the achievements of your theatre students to bring attention and support to your theatre program. You’ll leave with more than ninety ideas that you can start using right away. Please come prepared to share your challenges and successes.

Junior troupe fundraising 101: If you raise it then they can’t cut it, Marion Combs and Karen Pionke Students and teachers, all levels Join in a quick review of techniques and appeals that Junior Thespian troupes and chapters are us- ing to earn more money and increase donations for school theatre programs. Lots of funding channels will be discussed, from traditional ones (grants, ap- peals, donors, and booster clubs) to special events, crowd funding, and ticket and advertising sales. If you have an idea that works, help spread it around the country.

Licensing in-and-out: Royalties, rights, and scripts, Music Theatre International Teachers and adults, all levels At this all-inclusive workshop you’ll discover MTI’s lat- est and greatest production resources, learn how to lower your royalties, and make your interaction with

8 thespiannation.tumblr.com your licensing house as pain-free and fun as possible. Making blood and guts with everyday materials, Be sure to stick around for the RehearScore Chal- Linda Veneris lenge, where valuable prizes, including a free standard Students and teachers, all levels rental on your next show, could be yours. Everything Learn how to make blood effects for the stage without you ever wanted or needed to know about making spending lots of time and money. Come play with ma- the licensing of a show painless, fun, and affordable. terials to create the right mix for the effects you need Bring along your questions about the dos and don’ts for crash reenactments, Macbeth, Bat Boy, and more. of licensing. Representatives from MTI will provide you with candid, supportive answers to enable you to Managing, communicating, and selling your produce money-making musicals. Additionally, you’ll shows, Music Theatre International learn the answers to the five most-frequently asked Teachers and adults, all levels questions at MTI, including “Why can’t we videotape?” Always thought there had to be a better way to manage, “Why is a show restricted to us?” “Why can’t we use communicate, and sell your shows? Come learn how it pre-recorded music?” “Why are royalties so high?” and couldn’t be easier, more educational, and cost effective “When will the rights for Les Misérables be available?” using ShowTix4U, Virtual Stage Management, and the latest, most innovative product to hit the entertainment License to be obnoxious: Creating memorable market, The G-O Virtual Intercom System. Digital Theatre characters, Amy Shojai and MTI will be teaching a workshop on the features of Students and teachers, all levels these innovative applications along with their latest up- Wigs, accents, props, postures, background, and atti- grades. See how ShowTix4U can be implemented quickly tudes—go beyond learning the lines, and get the script and economically and have you selling tickets in a whole out of your hands. Free your imagination to get out of new way. You will explore how Virtual Stage Manage- your way, look beyond the expected, and get obnoxious. ment creates one central location where you can commu- Does she have a cold or cough? Does he have a goose- nicate, store, and share show information with your cast, honk laugh? Bring your favorite character scene, and we’ll crew, parents, and staff. With the new innovative mobile do some scene study and cold readings. Let’s stand your app, The G-O Virtual Intercom System, see how users character on their head. (Seriously? Come see.) can communicate effectively using their existing mobile

thespiannation.tumblr.com 9 device. Also, stick around for the MTI RehearScore Chal- New musicals for middle school: Young@Part is lenge, where incredible prizes, including a free standard available for you, TRW/Fred Stuart rental on your next MTI Show, could be yours! Teachers and adults, all levels This workshop will look at the new collection of Monologue this, Lindsay Price youth musicals just released from TRW. Perusal Students and teachers, all levels scripts, directing tips, and other resources will be dis- You love playwriting. But do you love monologues? cussed. Monologues are not an easy form to master and they can turn ugly on a dime. How can you write your best? New resources for musical theatre and licensing Playwright Lindsay Price will show you how with tips, ins-and-outs, Music Theatre International tools, and exercises from warm-ups to idea gathering Teachers and adults, all levels to character development. Monologue it all. Win valuable prizes and try out new products and resources. Learn about the new shows and theatrical Musical theatre boot camp, Marty Johnson resources available and in development from Music Students only, all levels Theatre International. Included is an in-depth intro- This fast-paced interactive workshop is the perfect duction and demonstration of the RehearScore MIDI introduction to all aspects of performing in musical rehearsal pianist—the tireless computer-generated theatre. Come play and learn new techniques in acting, accompanist that has revolutionized the theatre in- singing, and dancing. dustry and MTI’s newest resource: The OrchEXTRA. With OrchEXTRA you can have a full orchestra N.A.P.S. International Thespian Officers (ITO) sound even when you don’t have access to a pit full Students and teachers, all levels of musicians. Take the RehearseScore Challenge, a N.A.P.S. can change your life! N.A.P.S. (National Advo- trivia quiz based on RehearScore examples where cacy Plain and Simple) can help you improve your fun- you can win valuable, fun prizes for your producing draising efforts, gain more audience members, or even organization. Representatives from MTI will be on attain administrative support for your theatre program. hand to answer all of your questions regarding these Learn how to make your N.A.P.S. even more powerful. and other resources.

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10 thespiannation.tumblr.com N-SYNC: Creating a dream team, ITO Students and teachers, all levels What does teamwork mean to you? Come learn how to establish values, build trust, and turn thoughts into ac- tions at this awesome leadership workshop!

Playwriting: The first seeds of your next great play, Morgan Gould and Jason Pizzarello Students and teachers, all levels Never written a play before? Have an idea for a play, but having trouble getting started? Or are you a sea- soned writing pro who wants to start a new project? Do some basic creative writing exercises that will help kick start your next play. For teachers, learn how to tie literacy core standards into your theatre curriculum through playwriting, and for students, these fun acting/writing exercises will help you figure out what you want to write about. Everyone will walk away with a short play and a whole lot of ideas.

Set the stage for student-written monologues, Lindsay Price Teachers and adults, all levels Do you want your students to write their own mono- logues but don’t know where to start? Have you tried to incorporate monologue units into the classroom with less than satisfactory results? Professional play- wright and theatre educator Lindsay Price will show you the five critical steps to take to ensure students are ready to write their first monologue.

Singing a comic song: Find your funny, Jim Hoare Students and teachers, all levels In this workshop, we will use many of the devices of comic timing and apply them to singing a song. As a group we will learn some comic show tunes from Spa- malot, The Addams Family, Forbidden Broadway, and others. Even though you will be singing as a group you will learn to find the funny inside of you.

What’s your advocacy SWOT? James Palmarini Teachers and adults, all levels You’re too busy to advocate on behalf of your pro- gram and, besides, no one listens. Maybe there are some strategies that you can apply to your daily work life that can turn you into an advocacy leader in your school, district, and state. How? By understanding your personal advocacy strengths, weaknesses, opportuni- ties, and threats, and the larger education ecosystem in which you, your students, and your program exist. We’ll do a short SWOT exercise that helps you better understand what you can and cannot do to support and grow your theatre program and consider school, district, state, and national education policies that can impact arts education positively and negatively.

thespiannation.tumblr.com 11 Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 Session 5 Presenter Room Friday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, 6:15 - 7:15 pm 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. A good actor is a good thief Franklin Steele 2127 3 3 3 Ace any theatre audition Gai Jones 2109 3 3 Act up, act out, act right Franklin Steele 2127 3 3 Acting a song Marty Johnson Black Box 3 3 3 The Bard’s not so bad Chris Veneris 2111 3 3 3 3 3 Be bold, be brave, be unafraid: The MAP that guides successful leaders ITO 2114 3 Creating character through movement Steven Kennedy Dance Studio 3 3 3 3 Don’t waste your breath: Be heard without shouting Amy Shojai Choral Room 3 3 3 Enticing, expressive ensemble experiences Gai Jones 2109 3 3 3 Frantic Assembly movement pieces Katie Cross Band Room 3 3 3 3 3 Junior troupe fundraising 101: If you raise it, they can’t cut it Marion Combs & Karen Pionke Lecture Hall 3 License to be obnoxious: Creating memorable characters Amy Shojai Choral Room 3 3 Making blood and guts with everyday materials Linda Veneris Art Studio 3 3 3 3 3 Monologue this Lindsay Price 2116 3 3 3 Musical theatre boot camp Marty Johnson Black Box 3 3 N.A.P.S. ITO 2114 3 3 3 N-SYNC: Creating a dream team ITO 2114 3 Playwriting: The first seeds of your next great play Morgan Gould & Jason Pizzarello 2117 3 3 3 Singing a comic song: Find your funny Jim Hoare 2126 3 3 3 3 3 Adult meeting with EdTA’s Executive Director Julie Cohen Theobald Lecture Hall 3 Choreographing shows for students of all abilities Steven Kennedy Dance Studio 3 Curtain up: Titles, tips, and tricks to licensing the best shows for your Samuel French/Courtney Kochuba 2116 middle school 3 3 3 adults Great PR for your theatre program David LaFleche Lecture Hall 3 and

Licensing in-and-out: Royalties, rights, and scripts MTI 2124 3 teachers Managing, communicating, and selling your shows MTI 2124 3 3 for

New musicals for middle school: Young@Part is available for you TRW/Fred Stuart 2125 3 3 3 New resources for musical theatre and licensing ins-and-outs MTI 2124 3 workshops Set the stage for student-written monologues Lindsay Price 2116 3 3 What’s your advocacy SWOT? James Palmarini Lecture Hall 3

12 thespiannation.tumblr.com Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 Session 5 Presenter Room Friday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, BLUE SCHOOLS 6:15 - 7:15 pm 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Columbus Middle School A good actor is a good thief Franklin Steele 2127 3 3 3 Coppell Middle School West Ace any theatre audition Gai Jones 2109 3 3 Forest Glen Middle School Lakeview Middle School Act up, act out, act right Franklin Steele 2127 3 3 Nautilus Middle School Acting a song Marty Johnson Black Box 3 3 3 Our Lady of the Valley School The Bard’s not so bad Chris Veneris 2111 3 3 3 3 3 San Antonio Middle School Be bold, be brave, be unafraid: The MAP that guides successful leaders ITO 2114 3 Shawnee Middle School The Seven Hills School Creating character through movement Steven Kennedy Dance Studio 3 3 3 3 WoodCreek Junior High Don’t waste your breath: Be heard without shouting Amy Shojai Choral Room 3 3 3 Zhangjiagang Ivy Experimental School Enticing, expressive ensemble experiences Gai Jones 2109 3 3 3 Frantic Assembly movement pieces Katie Cross Band Room 3 3 3 3 3 YELLOW TRACK Junior troupe fundraising 101: If you raise it, they can’t cut it Marion Combs & Karen Pionke Lecture Hall 3 American Academy License to be obnoxious: Creating memorable characters Amy Shojai Choral Room 3 3 Argyle Middle School Briarhill Middle School Making blood and guts with everyday materials Linda Veneris Art Studio 3 3 3 3 3 Cimarron Middle School Monologue this Lindsay Price 2116 3 3 3 Griffin Middle School Musical theatre boot camp Marty Johnson Black Box 3 3 Lufkin Middle School Meigs Academic Magnet Middle N.A.P.S. ITO 2114 3 3 3 School N-SYNC: Creating a dream team ITO 2114 3 Mesa Middle School Mountain Ridge Middle School Playwriting: The first seeds of your next great play Morgan Gould & Jason Pizzarello 2117 3 3 3 Oak Hall School Singing a comic song: Find your funny Jim Hoare 2126 3 3 3 3 3 Pearl Jr. High School Adult meeting with EdTA’s Executive Director Julie Cohen Theobald Lecture Hall 3 Sagewood Middle School Choreographing shows for students of all abilities Steven Kennedy Dance Studio 3 Scott Johnson Middle School Curtain up: Titles, tips, and tricks to licensing the best shows for your Scott Middle School Samuel French/Courtney Kochuba 2116 middle school 3 3 3 The Champion School Great PR for your theatre program David LaFleche Lecture Hall 3 Viking Middle School Licensing in-and-out: Royalties, rights, and scripts MTI 2124 3 Westridge Middle School Managing, communicating, and selling your shows MTI 2124 3 3 New musicals for middle school: Young@Part is available for you TRW/Fred Stuart 2125 3 3 3 New resources for musical theatre and licensing ins-and-outs MTI 2124 3 Set the stage for student-written monologues Lindsay Price 2116 3 3 What’s your advocacy SWOT? James Palmarini Lecture Hall 3

thespiannation.tumblr.com 13 Julie Cohen Theobald is executive director of the Jean Lee’s Theater Company, The Cape Cod Theatre Educational Theatre Association. She has a lifelong Project, and Lark Play Development Center. She helms involvement in theatre and twenty years of business, her own theatre company Morgan Gould & Friends marketing, and management experience. She ranked and holds a B.A in directing from Fordham University in the Top 50 Marketers in the U.S. awarded by Ad- and an M.F.A in playwriting from CUNY Brooklyn. She vertising Age in 2005. In 1997, Julie started at Procter has directed works at theatres throughout New York & Gamble in the new business development group on City, and her own plays for schools have been per- the national launch of Febreze, which grew to $150 formed across the nation. million sales in its first year, ranking it in the Top 10 new products in the 1990s. She spent six years in the Jim Hoare is the vice president of education and laundry category, where she was brand manager for community initiatives for Theatrical Rights Worldwide Tide detergent, comprising more than $2 billion in (TRW). Jim has been involved in educational theatre sales. She led Tide to the fastest growth in its sixty- for forty years, teaching theatre, as well as playwriting year history, launching two new products that ranked and composition, for thirty-one years in New York. He in the top ten launches of the year. Julie holds an has presented workshops for students and teachers of M.B.A. in business economics and marketing from all ages throughout the U.S. In 2011, Jim received the the University of Chicago and a B.A. in public policy New York State Theatre Education Association’s Life- from Duke University. She is married and has an time Achievement Award. www.theatricalrights.com 11-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son, is active in Cincinnati community theatre as an actor, director, International Thespian Officers (ITO) are six stu- and producer, and serves on the board of trustees of dents, each from different areas of the U.S., who are the Cincinnati Arts Association. elected to serve as the student voices of Thespians. The International Thespian Society honors student Marion Combs is the director of development for the achievement and enriches their theatre education. The Educational Theatre Association and has worked over International Thespian Society has inducted more than a thirty-five-year career in fundraising in both higher two million members since 1929. The members of the education and for nonprofit arts and cultural organiza- ITO teach leadership and advocacy workshops and tions. Highlights prior to EdTA include positions at the interact with Thespians at state events throughout the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Emory University (Arts year. The ITO work year-round planning events for the & Sciences), Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the annual International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Ne- State Theatre Performing Arts Center in New Jersey. braska. This year, the ITO look forward to meeting as Marion is married to Dr. Diana Williams Combs, an art many Junior Thespians as possible. historian, and has two children, Alexandria, a health- care consultant in Palo Alto, California, and Philip, an Marty Johnson was recently named by Playbill.com attorney in private practice in Charleston, West Viginia. as one of the top ten educators who are shaping Career highlights include three successful capital cam- Broadway. Currently, he is the director of education paigns for facilities development. and resident director at iTheatrics. Marty oversees all of iTheatrics’ educational programs, including the Katie Cross is the director of theatre at Bryan High Junior Theater Academy for students, professional School in Texas, where she is also Troupe Director for development workshops for teachers, and a partner- their Thespian Troupe 3463. In 2014, she was named ship with the President’s Committee on the Arts and lead theatre for Bryan Independent School District and the Humanities, which lead to Marty directing stu- developed original curriculum for all levels of theatre dents for the first-ever White House Turnaround Arts in the district. She also served as contest manager for Talent show hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. the Bryan ISD’s middle school theatre festival. Marty first experienced Broadway Junior as the di- rector of education at North Shore Music Theatre, Morgan Gould is a playwright, director, producer, directing pilot productions of new shows, a duty he and theatre professional specializing in licensing and is honored to continue at iTheatrics. Marty holds a the creation and representation of adaptations for the graduate degree in theatre for youth from the Uni- stage. Formerly the literary manager at Playscripts, Inc., versity of North Carolina-Greensboro and currently Morgan has also held multiple staff positions at Young serves on the board for TYA/USA, the leading orga-

14 thespiannation.tumblr.com nization for the advancement of theatre for young audiences in the world. itheatrics.com

Gai Jones is the founder of California Youth in The- WANT YOUR STUDENTS TO LOVE atre, taught at El Dorado High School (Thespian Troupe 199), and has a theatre named after her. She serves on the board of directors for the Educational Theatre Association and works as an adjunct assistant FROM ACCLAIMED PLAYWRIGHT professor at California State University, East Bay, and Santa Barbara City College. Gai is also a SAG/AFTRA member and the author of theatre education books. She directs and conducts theatrical workshops across the country.

Steven Kennedy is a former New York City per- former. He is now the resident choreographer for iTheatrics and is developing a series of show-specific choreography DVDs. He serves as the choreogra- phy supervisor for such companies as Music Theatre International, Disney Theatricals, Samuel French, Tams-Whitmark, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Steven has a distinguished list of credits for his work on live musical theatre performances, including the honor of working with the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities for the first-ever White House Turnaround Arts Talent show for First Lady Michelle Obama with Sarah Jessica Parker. He also worked on the opening gala for the John F. Ken- nedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Family Theater, starring Kristin Chenoweth and Andrew Lippa; the U.K. premiere of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka; the na- tional tours of The Musical Adventures of Flat Stan- ley, The Ant and The Elephant, Cassandra’s Angel, and A Year With Frog and Toad. Steven was thrilled to choreograph the Off Broadway smash-hit produc- tion of Dear Edwina, produced by six-time Pulitzer Prize-winning producer Daryl Roth. itheatrics.com A FOOLPROOF, ENORMOUSLY FUN METHOD OF TEACHING YOUR STUDENTS SHAKESPEARE. David LaFleche has been the director of membership for the Educational Theatre Association for more than seventeen years. A theatre techie in high school with a degree in business, David brings a professional ap- proach to theatre that will help teachers and students om ken re fr ludw learn to “shine a spotlight” on the theatre program and mo PERFECT FOR JUNIOR ig PLAYS HIGH its honor society, the Thespian troupe. TREASURE ISLAND James Palmarini is the director of educational policy THE THREE MUSKETEERS for the Educational Theatre Association and a leader- THE GAME’S AFOOT, ship member of the National Core Arts Standards. He OR HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS is currently directing the theatre portion of NCCAS’s MIDSUMMER/JERSEY Model Cornerstone Assessment Pilot Project, in which fifteen teachers are gathering student examples of stan- dards-based assessments. He is also editor-at-large of Teaching Theatre, a quarterly journal for theatre educa- tion professionals.

thespiannation.tumblr.com 15 16 thespiannation.tumblr.com Karen Pionke is the director of nationally recognized Samuel French was established in 1830 and is the Viking Middle School in Gurnee, Illinois. She has been currently largest publisher and licensor of stage involved in theatre at several levels, both on stage and plays and musicals in the world. The Samuel French behind the scenes, for nearly her entire life. Karen catalog includes some of the most acclaimed plays served eight years on the Children’s Board of Theater and musicals ever written for the stage, as well as Programming at The College of Lake County and as work by writers at the forefront of contemporary fine arts chairperson for Grayslake District 46. Karen theatre. The Samuel French Company began publish- has fourteen years of experience teaching theatre in ing contemporary drama on both sides of the Atlan- the Chicago area and recently completed a term on tic nearly 200 years ago, developing the amateur the Educational Theatre Association’s board of direc- theatre movement by making more plays available tors. Her school’s theatre program is almost completely to nonprofessional theatres. Nearly two centuries self-funded, so she brings a wealth of ideas to the fun- after Samuel French revolutionized the theatre in- draising table. dustry, his company continues expand its catalogue, develop a community of theatre artists around the Jason Pizzarello is a playwright and theatre profes- world, and lead the industry with new technological sional specializing in project management, content cre- advancements connecting theatre makers and theatre ation, and theatrical licensing. Jason formerly held vari- lovers alike. Samuel French proudly advocates for ous positions at Playscripts, Inc., for nearly a decade playwrights, composers, and lyricists and celebrates before co-founding Stage Partners. His own plays have all those who make theatre happen. been developed with companies throughout New York www.samuelfrench.com City. Sixteen of his plays are published and have been produced in all fifty states and in seventeen countries. Amy Shojai is an actress and playwright who, along Jason holds a B.A in playwriting, Fordham University. with Frank Steele, has co-authored and produced plays and musicals—most recently Strays, The Musical, in Lindsay Price is the resident playwright for Theatre- which the actors portray cats and dogs. She has a B.A. folk, a publisher of playscripts for schools and student in theatre/voice and taught middle school and high performers. She has been a professional playwright for school choir and coached musical theatre/voice at twenty years and has over sixty published plays. Lind- Denison High School in Denison, Texas. Amy is also say is a regular workshop presenter at festivals, confer- a certified animal behavior consultant and the author ences and in the classroom. Most recently she present- of thirty plus pet books. She’s acted or played piano ed at the EdTA National Conference, the Association of and cello in several dozen plays in six states and British Columbia Drama Educators Conference, and the made countless media appearances including CNN Florida Association of Theatre Educators Conference. and Animal Planet.

Music Theatre International is one of the world’s Franklin Steele is a member of the Screen Actors leading dramatic licensing agencies, granting Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television schools, as well as amateur and professional theatres Artists (AFTRA), and the American Society of Compos- around the world, the rights to perform the larg- ers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Throughout his est selection of great musicals from Broadway and career, he has worked in film, television, and theatre. beyond. MTI works directly with the composers, He also taught middle school for thirty years. “Middle lyricists, and book writers of these shows to provide school is my passion,” he says. “Call me crazy, but it is.” official scripts, musical materials, and dynamic theat- rical resources to over 60,000 theatrical organizations Fred Stuart is the chief marketing officer for Theatrical in the U.S. and more than sixty other countries. MTI Rights Worldwide. Previously, he was executive and is particularly dedicated to theatre as education and artistic director of the Haymarket Theatre in Lincoln, has created special collections for younger perform- Nebraska, which he founded in 2002. Fred has directed ers. The MTI Broadway Junior Collection includes scores of shows with adults and young people alike for JR. titles, sixty-minute musicals for performance by theatres across the U.S. From 1997 to 2001, he worked middle school children, and KIDS titles, thirty-min- as project manager of the Broadway Junior Program for ute musicals for performance by elementary school Music Theatre International. His responsibilities included children. MTI School Editions are musicals that have overseeing workshop productions as well as writing and been annotated for performance by high school editing production manuals and director’s guides. Fred students, and the Theatre for Young Audiences Col- spent ten years as a performing artist in Los Angeles and lection are seventy-minute musicals for adults to per- San Francisco, where he appeared for two years in that form for children. city’s longest-running show, Beach Blanket Babylon.

thespiannation.tumblr.com 17 His theatre administration career began with the Ned- the chapter director for the North Carolina Thespians, erlander Organization’s West Coast operation, where advocacy chair for N.C. Theatre Arts Educators, and a he worked in a variety of front-of-house jobs, rising to theatre educator at Southeast Guilford High School in house manager of the legendary Pantages Theatre at Greensboro. the intersection of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles. www.theatricalrights.com Linda Veneris is a high school theatre teacher at Western Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Christopher Veneris is the resident actor for Shared Carolina, and acting teacher for youth and adults Radiance Performing Arts Company and co-founder at The Drama Center in Greensboro. She has been of Greensboro’s Shakespeare in the Park in North awarded the police chief’s award in Greensboro for Carolina. Recent acting credits include Sir Toby Belch her work with crash site reenactments for “MSG 2 DIE (Twelfth Night), Stephano (Tempest), and Oberon (A 4,” a campaign against texting and driving for high Midsummer Night’s Dream) with Shared Radiance. school students. She also works with Greensboro’s Directing credits include Romeo and Juliet, Much Shakespeare in the Park where she has co-directed and Ado About Nothing, and Richard III with Greens- created makeup effects for Macbeth (or “the Scottish boro’s Shakespeare in the Park. Christopher is also play,” if you’re reading this in a theatre).

18 thespiannation.tumblr.com Denison High School Second Floor

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