VTA 2024: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Full Schedule

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10:30am EDT

Acting in Song - Making the Most of Your Moment!

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Get the most out of your song - no matter how short or long the piece, performers need to develop the techniques and skills to nail your song performance. This workshop is geared to help performers hone their storytelling and performance techniques by infusing their singing performance with emotion that will have the audience eating out of your hand. This is a practical workshop - performers will be invited to bring recorded selections to workshop.

Speakers

Virginia Wesleyan University

Travis Malone is Professor of Theatre and Dean of the Batten Honors College of Virginia Wesleyan University. Travis teaches courses in directing, acting, performance, and arts leadership. Fresh off his most recent production of Chicago, Travis works professionally in producing new... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
B13 Circle of Chairs 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Workshop

Audience High School, College, Educators

10:30am EDT

Grappling with Consent

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

B17 Open Studio

Since the development of Intimacy Direction, theatre artists have been grappling with how to stage physical moments of touch ORGANICALLY through consent. Virginia Tech just produced Selina Fillinger's hilarious farce, "POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive" that required everyone in the creative team and cast to grapple with actual, physical grappling onstage.

Virginia Tech Fight and Intimacy Director Cara Rawlings will guide you through improvisational tools she used to help actors in the show develop organic, repeatable, and consensual choreography for a PHYSICAL GRAPPLING moment like the one Fillinger describes in the following Act 2 stage directions: "Bernadette nabs Stephanie by the inner tube and drags her, struggling, back to Chris. Stephanie bites Bernadette, attempting to escape...They try to shove Stephanie into the closet. She resists. They both have to hold the door shut."

Attendants of the workshop are invited to participate at whatever level they wish. Physical participation in the workshop includes consensual physical touch in structured contact improvisations based on the actions of grabbing, pushing, and pulling another person. Anyone is welcome to participate through observation and discussion.

Speakers

Cara Rawlings

Associate Professor of Movement and Acting, Virginia Tech

Cara Rawlings (she/her) is an intimacy and fight director, choreographer, and movement specialist based in Southwest Virginia where she is Associate Professor of Movement and Acting at Virginia Tech. A Certified Intimacy Director and Teaching Artist with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
B17 Open Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Workshop

Audience College, Educators, High School, Professional

12:00pm EDT

Diversity Panel in Theatrical Arts with Deon, Leila,

Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

B10 Lecture Hall

Speakers

Deon Ridley

DEON RIDLEY IS Musical Theatre VETERAN PERFORMER who has performed both on and off Broadway. His Broadway Credits includes The Lion King and A Christmas Carol starring Frank Langella at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden and the Broadway tour of Chicago the Musical ! In 2001... Read More →

Leila Stephanie

Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
B10 Lecture Hall 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Panel

Audience College, Educators, Professional, High School

12:00pm EDT

Groove & Flow Hip hop intensive

Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

B11 Open Studio

Dive into the vibrant world of hip hop dance in our energetic workshop, "Groove & Flow." Perfect for all skill levels, you'll learn foundational moves, explore rhythm, and unleash your creativity in a supportive environment. Join us for a fun-filled session that will have you dancing with confidence!
What to Wear: Dress comfortably in athletic wear—think breathable t-shirts, joggers, or shorts. Don’t forget to bring your favorite sneakers with good grip to keep you moving smoothly on the dance floor!

Speakers

Marlon Proverbs

Buford Middle School

Marlon Proverbs was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Since the age of 17 he has been gracing stages from New York to Miami with his choreography and excellent dancing abilities. He has also opened up for established music artists such as Trey Songz and Chris Brown. Marlon has... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
B11 Open Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Workshop

Audience High School, Middle School, College, Educators, Professional

12:00pm EDT

VDOE Theatre Arts Update for Educators and Leaders

Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

B12 Classroom

In this session, VDOE staff will be present to provide current information on resources, supports, and policies from the Virginia Department of Education related to theatre arts instruction. In addition, session participants can share questions, concerns, and ideas. Come to share your voice! All Virginia educators, leaders, and community partners are encouraged to attend.

Speakers

Kelly Bisogno

Coordinator of Fine Arts, Virginia Department of Education

Kelly Bisogno is the Coordinator of Fine Arts for the Virginia Department of Education, a role she has served in for over five years. She leads the development and delivery of state-wide fine arts education academic standards, professional learning opportunities, and instructional... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Workshop

Audience Educators

1:30pm EDT

Building a Creative Practice: Exercises Designed to Get Your Creativity Flowing!

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

B16 Tech & Design Studio

If you've every felt blocked or stagnant in your creative process, this workshop is for you! The workshop is designed to create a space for you to practice your creativity in a low stakes environment. Caitlyn will lead some exercises inspired by Twyla Tharp's Creative Habit and Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way while encouraging you to give yourself permission to play and create for the fun of it! This hands on, mulitmedia workshop will include journaling prompts, sketching, watercoloring and more!

Speakers

High Point University

Caitlyn holds an M.F.A. in Drama with a concentration in Scenic Design from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Having worked in theatre and education for over 15 years, Caitlyn’s experiences range from scenic design and scenic painting to lighting and costume design. Caitlyn... Read More →

Thursday October 24, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
B16 Tech & Design Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Workshop

Audience High School, College, Educators

3:00pm EDT

Theatre Marketing 101: The Secrets of Selling Tickets

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

B12 Classroom

Putting on a great show is hard... but selling tickets is even harder.

Dive into industry level strategies from Jason Stacks, a full time theatre marketing expert. Learn about social media, advertising, community engagement, AI, and more. These are the exact same strategies he's used to increase ticket sales at the high school, college, and even Broadway level. You don't want to miss it!

Exhibitors

Jason Stacks

Stacks Industries

Sponsors

Jason Stacks

Stacks Industries

Thursday October 24, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Workshop

Audience College, Educators, High School, Middle School, Professional

8:00pm EDT

Networking Hour for 21+

Thursday October 24, 2024 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT

Tarrant's Cafe

Join us at Tarrant's Cafe to catch up with other adult conference attendees!
Check out their food and bar menu!

Speakers

Sarah Pettengill

Conference Manager, Virginia Theatre Association

Sarah holds a B.S. in Theatre with a minor in Business Management from Radford University. She currently supervises the front desk of the Highlander Hotel in Radford, VA. Sarah's directing credits include The Liddy Plays and Silent Sky. While her sound design credits include The Liar... Read More →

Holly Polanki

Exhibitors

On The Stage

Thursday October 24, 2024 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Tarrant's Cafe 1 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23220

21+

Audience College, Educators, Professional