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

arrow_back View All Dates

10:30am EDT

Grappling with Consent

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

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

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