VTA 2024: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

VTA 2024: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

4:30pm EDT

AI In Theatre: The Future of Broadway

Wednesday October 23, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

AI will change the theatre industry forever. But how bad is it? What jobs are the most at risk? Could this actually be a GOOD thing for artists? Hear from Jason Stacks, an experienced theatre marketing professional who is on the forefront of AI technology. Jason has worked on productions like Back to the Future: The Musical and has seen firsthand how AI can both disrupt and enhance the creative process.

We will explore the potential impacts of AI on traditional roles in theatre, from set designers to scriptwriters, and how artists can adapt in this changing landscape. While there will be challenges, AI opens up exciting opportunities for innovation and collaboration, empowering artists to push the boundaries of creativity like never before.

Exhibitors

Jason Stacks

Stacks Industries

Sponsors

Jason Stacks

Stacks Industries

Wednesday October 23, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience High School, College, Professional, Educators

4:30pm EDT

How to Reach the High Notes 8 Shows a Week!

Wednesday October 23, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

B13 Circle of Chairs

Learn the basics of how your voice works as well as practical exercises to improve your singing onstage from a Broadway professional. We will learn about Alignment, Breathing, Breath Support/Resistance, Resonance, some basic vocal anatomy and function, Belting vs. Crooning, vocal health and whatever other vocal topics participants are interested in!

Speakers

Douglas Carpenter

Artist in Residence, Christopher Newport University Theatre

Dr. Doug Carpenter holds Vocal Performance degrees from UNLV (BM, DMA) and UCLA (MM). His doctoral document explored the application of pedagogy by Stanislavski, Meisner, and Chekhov in music performance and its scientific basis in neuroscience and psychology. His other areas of studies... Read More →

Wednesday October 23, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
B13 Circle of Chairs 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

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

10:30am EDT

Acting in Song - Making the Most of Your Moment!

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

B13 Circle of Chairs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8:00pm EDT

Networking Hour for 21+

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

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

On The Stage

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

Audience College, Educators, Professional

10:30am EDT

Basic Theatrical Firearms Safety

Friday October 25, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

B11 Open Studio

Suitable for a production safety talk or for more hands on training of theatrical firearms. This class is tailor made to your needs and covers the basics of safety and protocol for using functional or nonfunctional theatrical firearms in your theatre.

Exhibitors

Noble Blades

The Noble Blades

Ian Claar is a fight choreographer, intimacy choreographer, lighting designer, and teaching artist based in Northern Virginia. He has been actively involved in the performing arts community for the past 17 years throughout Virginia’s educational, community, regional theatres. He... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
B11 Open Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, High School

10:30am EDT

Lights, Camera, Action - The Screen Test

Friday October 25, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

B17 Open Studio

This workshop will explore the differences between stage acting and film acting through an exploration of the "screen test". A step by step approach will be taught to allow for ease and execution of the technique for students. Please know that students will be recorded and then provided feedback after watching performances on video.

Speakers

Jonathan Rogers

Performing Arts Specialist, Loudoun County Public Schools

Mr. Rogers currently serves at the Theatre Arts Supervisor of Loudoun County Public Schools after a successful teaching career that includes teaching in New York, Los Angeles and throughout the DMV he now spends most of his time developing new teachers, teaching masterclasses or performing... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
B17 Open Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, High School

10:30am EDT

Working With Student Stage Managers

Friday October 25, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

How do I work with my student stage managers in productions? Am I giving them too much work? Not enough? How do I prepare my students for college and life in the profession? This interactive Q&A workshop will help middle and high school educators empower their young stage managers and give them the best opportunities in rehearsals and performances.

Speakers

Stacy Blackburn

Virginia Tech

Friday October 25, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience Educators

11:00am EDT

Let America Be, A Devised Piece

Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Speakers

Rick St. Peter

Virginia Union University

Exhibitors

Virginia Union University

Friday October 25, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
E21ABC 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

College Division Performance

Audience High School, College, Educators

12:00pm EDT

Dare to Devise: Ensemble-Based Theatre Exploration

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

B13 Circle of Chairs

Dare to Devise' introduces participants to devised theatre, focusing on ensemble-based projects and productions. The workshop guides participants from a single creative impulse, interest, topic, or text to the development of a cohesive narrative shaped from multiple perspectives.

Through physical, vocal, and improvisational exercises, participants engage in artistic exploration that emphasizes constructive dialogue, cultural enrichment, and methods for change or conflict resolution. Whether aimed at community impact or ensemble building, this workshop fosters collaboration and collective storytelling.

The workshop is two-fold: explorative and pedagogical.

Speakers

Brittney S. Harris

Assistant Professor of Applied Theatre, Virginia Tech

Brittney S. Harris, M.F.A., is an Assistant Professor of Applied Theatre in the College of Art and Architecture at Virginia Tech. Her expertise encompasses Race and Performance, Performance as Activism, and Devised Community-Engaged Theatre. Her creative scholarship is informed by... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
B13 Circle of Chairs 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, High School, Professional

12:00pm EDT

Theatre on a Dime

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

Participants will learn through lecture and conversation about ways to create beautiful works of theatre art with a limited or nonexistent budget. This workshop will offer ideas for lowering costs without sacrificing art or safety, provide local resources, and participants will learn that in stretching a budget, sometimes better art is created. They will also learn how to pull together volunteers and use resources to have a collaborative and DIY nature to their theatre practice.

Speakers

Heather Wallen

Founding Artistic Director, The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company

Heather Lee Wallen is a multidisciplinary theater artist currently residing in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. She is the founder and Artistic Director of The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company at The Black Box Arts Center in Shepherdstown, WV. She is passionate about not only... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, Professional

1:30pm EDT

Building Scenery on a Budget

Friday October 25, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

Join Our Workshop: Building Scenery on a Budget

Mounting a show can be a creative challenge, especially when you're working within a tight budget—something we all face! Building Scenery on a Budget is a hands-on workshop that explores cost-effective strategies for scenic design and construction, offering real-world solutions without compromising on quality.

What You’ll Learn:

Tackling Rising Material Costs
Get tips on how to navigate the ever-increasing costs of building materials while keeping your production on track.

Engineering Scenery on a Budget
Learn to value-engineer your designs without falling into common pitfalls that could impact safety or aesthetic quality.

Balancing Materials vs. Labor
Discover how to find the right balance between material costs and labor investments to maximize your resources.

Exploring Donations, Sponsors, and Building Stock
Find out how to tap into local networks for donations and sponsorships, and how to build and maintain a stock of reusable scenic pieces.

Collaborations and Rentals
Build relationships with other theatres for potential collaborations, scene-sharing, and renting equipment or materials to stretch your budget further.

Hands-On Creative Problem Solving:
Participants will work together to tackle common budget challenges with innovative solutions, applying the lessons from the workshop to real-world scenarios.

Who Should Attend?
This workshop is ideal for set designers, technical directors, production managers, and anyone involved in creating theatre on a budget.

Sign up today and discover how to make your scenic dreams a reality without breaking the bank!

Speakers

David Steinmetz

Technical Director / Associate Professor, Shenandoah University

David Steinmetz has over 35 years of professional experience as a Technical Director in the entertainment industry and education. A lifelong love of learning and building has propelled David to transform vision into reality for a wide variety of client’s time and time again. Some... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience High School, College, Educators

1:30pm EDT

Found Object Puppet Creation

Friday October 25, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

B16 Tech & Design Studio

In this workshop participants will have a chance to create a rod puppet out of cardboard and found objects. They will then learn to use the puppet they have created to write and perform short group skits or an independent monologue.

Speakers

Heather Wallen

Founding Artistic Director, The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company

Heather Lee Wallen is a multidisciplinary theater artist currently residing in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. She is the founder and Artistic Director of The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company at The Black Box Arts Center in Shepherdstown, WV. She is passionate about not only... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
B16 Tech & Design Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience Educators, High School, Middle School

3:00pm EDT

Canvas, Page & The Stage

Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

B17 Open Studio

Through creative collaboration, participants will immerse themselves in theatrical and visual art explorations. Creating an original performance work based on a photograph, painting, sculptured piece, or visual medium, that speaks to current events, social justice, or community needs. Devised theatre stimulates new material or adaptations with the practice of dramaturgy and staging in a physical, non-verbal, suspended reality, and/or a visually dynamic way. Involving soundscapes, live music, projections or video footage, text, playwriting structure with the use of improvisation, acting methods by Augusto Boal and Theatre of the Oppressed, as well as scene structure to aid actors through the creative process of going from canvas, to page, to stage.

Speakers

Bleu Do'zia

Selah Theatre Project

BleuJay Do'zia (Bleu) acts as the founder and creative director of Selah Theatre Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring young actors in various locations across the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Known as the "Teen Whisperer," Bleu motivates young... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
B17 Open Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, High School, Professional

3:00pm EDT

Diversity in Theatrical Arts Talk Back Session

Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Speakers

Leila Stephanie

Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
B14 U-Shaped 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, Professional

3:00pm EDT

It’s Not About You! Strategies for centering students in the work

Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

B10 Lecture Hall

What is student-centered pedagogy and what does it look like in a theatre program? Come explore strategies for centering our students in the work and learn about the benefits it provides to our student artists. Attendees will leave with proven student-centered projects and methods that can immediately be applied to a variety of different learning environments and classroom types.

Speakers

Jess Shaw

Jessica Joy Satryan Shaw has been teaching and directing Theatre at Mount Vernon High School since August 2016 and one of the Performing Arts Department Chairs since August 2020. She began her full-time teaching career in 2009 at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, where... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
B10 Lecture Hall 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators

3:00pm EDT

Vectorworks: from Drafting to Building Models

Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Vectorworks is a powerful CAD Modeling tool that can accommodate everything from rendering to creating files to 3D print you models. In this workshop, we will explore creating a workflow from initial ideas to finished model under lights. Participants are encouraged to bring your computer with VW installed.

Speakers

Michael Benson

Associate Professor, University of Mary Washington

Michael Benson is an Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Mary Washington. For over 30 years, Michael has worked as a scenic designer, technical director, sound designer and theatre technician for organizations across the country such as The Cleveland Playhouse, Cleveland... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, Professional

4:30pm EDT

Advocating for You, Your Students, and Theatre Education!

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

Have a question on how to best advocate for a need at your school or for your theatre program? Would you like to be part of our efforts to advocate for Theatre Education in Virginia and beyond? Join VTA members and arts administrators Linda Gallant, Dr. Tara Taylor, and Dr. Annamarie Bollino as they answer questions and share perspectives on how to advocate both within and outside of your school building to advance your theatre program. We will also brainstorm and collaborate as a community on how we might better mobilize to advance theatre education in Virginia. Whether you are a seasoned advocate or just beginning your journey, there is something in this session for everyone!

Speakers

Linda Gallant

Virginia Theatre Association, President

President, Linda Gallant, holds an M.A. in Theatre— Acting and Directing from Regent University. Mrs. Gallant served on the Virginia Department of Education Theatre SOL Review Board, Fine Arts Resource Teams, and Fine Arts Steering Committee. She has served on the Board of Directors... Read More →

Tara Taylor

Annamarie Bollino

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
E21ABC 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience Educators, College, Professional

4:30pm EDT

Are you ready to call a show??

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

Do you get nervous when you have to call cues for a show? What even is a standby? And how can I call a musical if I don't read music? This workshop for stage managers will answer questions about getting and placing cues, standbys, and how to effectively call a show from top to bottom.

Speakers

Stacy Blackburn

Virginia Tech

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience High School, Educators

4:30pm EDT

Groove & Flow Hip hop intensive

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm 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 →

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
B11 Open Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

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

4:30pm EDT

Scaffolding your season for growth! (both Student and Financial)

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

B13 Circle of Chairs

How to organize your season to maximize growth while keeping the workload manageable? This workshop will help both education departments and community theatres learn how to collaborate with other organizations, and plan a season or classes, events, and shows to draw in an audience and performers, while keeping everything else as low maintenance(and budget) as possible!

Speakers

Corey Holmes

Director of Education, The Wayne Theatre

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
B13 Circle of Chairs 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience Educators

4:30pm EDT

Variety Is the Spice of... Physicality!

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

B17 Open Studio

How do we give each of our characters a different physical life? One way is through the Effort Shapes of Rudolf Laban. Explore "Floating," "Flicking," "Slashing," "Gliding," and more to explore creating distinct physicalities that are still "You."

Students should be prepared to MOVE and make some noise!

Speakers

Gregg Lloyd

Professor of Acting & Stage Combat, Christopher Newport University

Prof. Lloyd is an award-wining Director, Fight Director, and Actor who specializes in Stage Combat, Acting, and Musical Theater Performance and Directing with over 125 professional production credits. He received the MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University and is a Certified... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
B17 Open Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, High School, Professional

6:00pm EDT

Dynamic Auditions

Friday October 25, 2024 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

Auditions are about showing as much of your skill as possible, but you only have 60 seconds! This workshop will introduce tools you can use to get the most bang for your buck in any monologue (or song!) in that short span of time. If you can dare to be a terrible actor (in order to be a better one), then this workshop is for you! Students should be prepared to be loud (and quiet) and huge (and tiny)! Having a printed monologue and pen/pencil will be very helpful.

Speakers

Gregg Lloyd

Professor of Acting & Stage Combat, Christopher Newport University

Prof. Lloyd is an award-wining Director, Fight Director, and Actor who specializes in Stage Combat, Acting, and Musical Theater Performance and Directing with over 125 professional production credits. He received the MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University and is a Certified... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
B14 U-Shaped 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, High School, Professional

6:00pm EDT

Literacy Alive: Student-led Devising

Friday October 25, 2024 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

B10 Lecture Hall

Learn about the tools, structures, and processes that led a group of 25 students to devise a new TYA play based on a children’s book, Abuelita’s American Dream: a Puerto Rican Migrant Story. Leave ready to create something new with your students!

Speakers

Taylor Bernard

Theatre Teacher, Thomas Dale High School

Taylor Bernard graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Theatre Education and received the Bobby Chandler Award for Theatre from VCU. She later received her MA in Educational Theatre from NYU. She is in her fifth year as a Theatre teacher at the Specialty Center for the Performing... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
B10 Lecture Hall 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators

9:00am EDT

New IDEA Discussion

Saturday October 26, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

B13 Circle of Chairs

At the 2023 annual conference meeting there was a motion made to explore how the structure of the Virginia Theatre Association supports Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility. We've been holding discussions, exploring what is happening in other organizations, and talking to stakeholders. Come share with us and lets discuss how the structure of the VTA board and organization bylaws can reflect a commitment to supporting theatre across the Commonwealth. Can't make it? Contact Harvey with thoughts: harvey.stone@vtasite.org.

Speakers

Leila Stephanie

Patrick Mullins

Harvey Stone

Virginia Theatre Association

Saturday October 26, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
B13 Circle of Chairs 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience Educators, Professional, College

9:00am EDT

Sustainable Scenery: Building Eco-Friendly Sets

Saturday October 26, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

Join Our Workshop: Sustainable Scenery – Building Eco-Friendly Sets

Are you ready to bring sustainability to the stage without sacrificing creativity? Our one-hour workshop, Sustainable Scenery: Building Eco-Friendly Sets, is designed to teach you how to integrate green practices into your scenic designs, from beginner to intermediate skill levels.

What You’ll Learn:

Using Sustainable Materials
Explore eco-friendly alternatives to traditional building materials that support a greener planet.

Recycling and Repurposing
Learn how to creatively reuse existing materials and give new life to old pieces, cutting down waste.

Green Construction Techniques
Discover innovative, environmentally responsible building methods that reduce your carbon footprint while maintaining design quality.

Who Should Attend?
This workshop is perfect for theatre students, set designers, technical directors, or anyone interested in incorporating sustainable practices into their set design work.

Why Attend?
Sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on creativity or functionality. Join us to discover practical, eco-conscious solutions that will transform the way you build scenery.

Sign up today and learn how to create stunning, environmentally friendly sets!

Speakers

David Steinmetz

Technical Director / Associate Professor, Shenandoah University

David Steinmetz has over 35 years of professional experience as a Technical Director in the entertainment industry and education. A lifelong love of learning and building has propelled David to transform vision into reality for a wide variety of client’s time and time again. Some... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience High School, College, Professional, Educators

10:30am EDT

Advocacy in Theatre - Creating Safe Spaces

Saturday October 26, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

B10 Lecture Hall

Through lecture and interactive activities participants will explore what it means to not only advocate for themselves and others, but also how to create a space in which creatives feel they can advocate. It is important to a creative process to be able to feel that you can express yourself and create in a supportive environment. Through this workshop we will discuss not only policy, structure, and action, but also the language one can use to create these spaces.

Speakers

Heather Wallen

Founding Artistic Director, The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company

Heather Lee Wallen is a multidisciplinary theater artist currently residing in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. She is the founder and Artistic Director of The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company at The Black Box Arts Center in Shepherdstown, WV. She is passionate about not only... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
B10 Lecture Hall 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, Professional

10:30am EDT

Cutting Plays for Performance

Saturday October 26, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Stuck figuring out how to get Julius Caesar to 45 minutes for your competition play? Trying to remove the boring bits from Antigone? Not sure where to start?

Lots of directors and dramaturgs shorten plays for performance, but nobody teaches us how.

Based on her book Cutting Plays for Performance: A Practical and Accessible Guide, Aili Huber will share tips and tricks for cutting public domain plays for specific performance contexts in this interactive workshop.

Speakers

Aili Huber

Artistic Director, Silk Moth Stage

Aili Huber has been directing for over 20 years. She holds an MFA from Mary Baldwin College/American Shakespeare Center, and is the co-author, with Toby Malone, of Cutting Plays for Performance: A Practical and Accessible Guide, available from Routledge Press. Aili is the founder... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, Professional

12:00pm EDT

Membership Meeting

Saturday October 26, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

Join us in the food court to learn more about how you can be involved with VTA leadership! We would love to see you there!

Speakers

Linda Gallant

Virginia Theatre Association, President

President, Linda Gallant, holds an M.A. in Theatre— Acting and Directing from Regent University. Mrs. Gallant served on the Virginia Department of Education Theatre SOL Review Board, Fine Arts Resource Teams, and Fine Arts Steering Committee. She has served on the Board of Directors... Read More →

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 →

Matt Armentrout

Vice President, VTA

Matthew Armentrout teaches theatre at Chancellor High School in Spotsylvania County. He has been teaching for sixteen years which includes three years of teaching theatre at H.H. Poole Middle School in Stafford County. Matthew received his Undergraduate degree in Theatre Education... Read More →

Harvey Stone

Jamestown High School

J. Harvey Stone is a public-school theatre teacher, director, and writer living in Williamsburg, Virginia. Harvey has taught learners from ages 2 through 72 in everything from Shakespeare to swimming, and from Plutarch to pedagogy. Harvey is in his 25th year of teaching and currently... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Food Court 403 North 3rd Street

Audience College, Educators, Professional

12:00pm EDT

Take 5: Creating Workplaces of Radical Welcome

Saturday October 26, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

B10 Lecture Hall

Theater workers exist in a space of scarcity, trauma, and challenging power dynamics.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Take 5 is a policy and practice framework that creates structural protection for everyone involved in the play-making process and offers tools for building healthy, collaborative relationships. It creates situations where trauma is less likely to occur, and productive mechanisms for processing traumatic events that take place in the course of production.

Community, university, and professional theaters all over the country are implementing Take 5 principles to do better work, faster, with more joy and less burnout.

Learn practical tools for creating radically welcoming theater workplaces.

This session is intended for people who work in leadership roles (directors, designers, administrators, stage managers, etc), with students and young adults. We'll specifically address some of the complexities and opportunities of working with minors, working within educational institutions, and preparing students for "real world" situations.

Speakers

Aili Huber

Artistic Director, Silk Moth Stage

Aili Huber has been directing for over 20 years. She holds an MFA from Mary Baldwin College/American Shakespeare Center, and is the co-author, with Toby Malone, of Cutting Plays for Performance: A Practical and Accessible Guide, available from Routledge Press. Aili is the founder... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
B10 Lecture Hall 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators

12:00pm EDT

What Are Your Fighting For?!

Saturday October 26, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

B11 Open Studio

In his Guideposts, Shurtleff tells us to ask, "What is your character fighting for?" Though he means it figuratively, sometimes characters fight for something literally! Stage Combat is the art of telling stories that turn violent, but doing it safely. This workshop introduces students to some concepts and techniques used in this specialized area of theatre. Students should be dressed to move!

Speakers

Gregg Lloyd

Professor of Acting & Stage Combat, Christopher Newport University

Prof. Lloyd is an award-wining Director, Fight Director, and Actor who specializes in Stage Combat, Acting, and Musical Theater Performance and Directing with over 125 professional production credits. He received the MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University and is a Certified... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
B11 Open Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, High School, Professional

1:30pm EDT

Artificial Intelligence and Theatre Design

Saturday October 26, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

No, we will not be constructing AI actors. Not yet, anyway. However, we will explore how AI can assist you in designing your next theatre production, from sound to stage. Bring your computers and we will design together!

Speakers

Michael Benson

Associate Professor, University of Mary Washington

Michael Benson is an Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Mary Washington. For over 30 years, Michael has worked as a scenic designer, technical director, sound designer and theatre technician for organizations across the country such as The Cleveland Playhouse, Cleveland... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
B12 Classroom 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators

1:30pm EDT

The Sensory Friendly Arts Educators Toolkit

Saturday October 26, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

B13 Circle of Chairs

This could be “how to implement sensory-friendly techniques into your art/performance classes”, but it's not. It discusses different sorts of behavior regulating methods that neurodivergent arts students need to be successful and how to sprinkle them for all students throughout your curriculum to make learning and
creativity both accessible and simple. This workshop will introduce you to 3 types of sensory learners and will give you an introduction to common props and strategies to have on hand to make the theatre classroom better for all your students. Creating sensory-friendly curricula does not need to be an
afterthought, expensive, or stressful, it can be implemented early and benefit all types of learners!

Speakers

Corey Holmes

Director of Education, The Wayne Theatre

Saturday October 26, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
B13 Circle of Chairs 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators

3:00pm EDT

How Do I Act This Song?

Saturday October 26, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

We will be working on acting songs in performance.

Students: Bring a backing track to be played off of your phone, we will connect it up to a speaker with cords and dongle adapter.

Come learn how to tell a story through song by REALLY experiencing the text and the music.

You will surprise yourself and others!

Speakers

Jeffrey Todd Parrott

Assistant Professor of Acting, Longwood University

Jeffrey Todd Parrott has been a professional actor for well over a decade, living in both Chicago and New York City. He has been a part of over 50 productions at theaters all over the country including Asolo Repertory Theatre, Theatre Raleigh, Peninsula Players, Saint Michael's Playhouse... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
B14 U-Shaped 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

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

3:00pm EDT

Lights, Camera, Action - The Screen Test

Saturday October 26, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

B17 Open Studio

This workshop will explore the differences between stage acting and film acting through an exploration of the "screen test". A step by step approach will be taught to allow for ease and execution of the technique for students. Please know that students will be recorded and then provided feedback after watching performances on video.

Speakers

Jonathan Rogers

Performing Arts Specialist, Loudoun County Public Schools

Mr. Rogers currently serves at the Theatre Arts Supervisor of Loudoun County Public Schools after a successful teaching career that includes teaching in New York, Los Angeles and throughout the DMV he now spends most of his time developing new teachers, teaching masterclasses or performing... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
B17 Open Studio 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators, High School

3:00pm EDT

Whose canon is it anyway? Strategies for decolonizing your theatre program

Saturday October 26, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

B13 Circle of Chairs

Have you ever asked yourself who decided the “Theatre Canon” was “the canon”? Who does it reflect? Who doesn’t it reflect? Why does that matter? Come discuss strategies for expanding identity and representation in our theatre programs and explore the benefits of active decolonization for our theatre students.

Speakers

Jess Shaw

Jessica Joy Satryan Shaw has been teaching and directing Theatre at Mount Vernon High School since August 2016 and one of the Performing Arts Department Chairs since August 2020. She began her full-time teaching career in 2009 at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, where... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
B13 Circle of Chairs 403 North 3rd Street, Richmond, VA, USA

Audience College, Educators