VA Thespians say HAGS!
VA Thespians Kudos & Happenings
June 2023: Enjoy summer!
HAGS- HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
Follow us on social media @vathespians or Virginia Thespians for more information and updates! We would love to know how to support you this year. Please complete our 2023 Troupe Director Survey and our 2023 VTF Attendee Survey.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 VTF SPONSORS!
Teacher Tip of the Month: ENJOY SUMMER!
Hello,
Our 'Inspired by Improv: Practical Tips for the Ultimate Improvisation Lessons' event will take place on June 8th, 2023, at 10 AM CDT. This event will last approximately 1 hour.
This event will feature a live webinar from an expert panel of improv actors, theatremakers, and teachers to provide your teachers with:
Innovative tips to help them engage students no matter their ability or confidence level
Ideas on how to progress from improv warm-up games to using improv as a devising tool
Guidance on how to break down any student anxiety around experimenting with improv
Context on the evolution of Improv and how it is vital to the professional creative process today
A chance to have any burning questions answered by Improv experts
After the webinar, all attendees will receive a recording of the webinar and the first video in our brand new series of “How To: Improvisation” e-learning videos. Teachers will be able to receive a certificate of attendance, to count towards their PD time.
By registering for the event, your teachers will receive a recording of the session so that they have the flexibility to watch it at a time that works for them or with their colleagues later in the summer.
Here’s the link to the sign-up page
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Best wishes,
Zahra
MAP OUT YOUR SUMMER & JOIN US!
REGISTER BY JUNE 30th!
Thespian Educators Intensive (TEI)
Drury Plaza Hotel: 11049 W Broad St, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Read more below in the TEI Smore!
OPEN TEACHING POSITIONS/ OPPORTUNITIES:
From Tori Kesling, our previous Virginia Thespians Chapter Director- CONGRATS TO HER ON HER NEW POSITION & HAPPY TO HAVE A VA REP IN EDTA!
OPENING AT NEW KENT HIGH SCHOOL FOR THEATRE TEACHER/ DIRECTOR:
"With mixed emotions I announce that after spending a third of my life working at NKHS- I am leaving for the opportunity to work for the EdTA as the Chapter Operations Associate Director.
I am on the hunt for an amazing human being to gift my program to. I care immensely about the longevity of what has been built and am able to offer support for the exceptional opportunities they create for my much beloved students.
Aside from the incredible students and student leaders we have, collaborative work environment I have with my colleagues- my school also has a hugely supportive administration (from building level through to our division level admin). We have a legacy of involvement with VA Thespians and have elected State Officers every year (including next year). Most famously, we have our life-changing partnership with Astor College in Kent, UK. Through this partnership you put on a collaborative musical every other year and have the opportunity to travel abroad with students and create amazing work, lifelong friendships, and build truly global citizens.
If you are interested in learning more about my position, please reach out. I am leaving on good terms and am an open book and resource in helping to facilitate the next Artistic Director’s transition and success. Use this hive mind, because there’s a lot to wrangle in a new position. After all, “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.
Lastly, to my stunning, unique, and brilliant students (past and present): you are my whole heart. I have woken up happy to go to “work” everyday (what adult can say that?) and I cannot possibly put into words all that you have contributed to what makes me, “me”. I am endlessly grateful for all we’ve shared together and it will be so difficult not to have your joy, antics and delirium in my life on the daily. That being said, I look forward to supporting you as a colleague and friend, and seeing where you go and what you do with the lessons we’ve learned together ."
Order our thespian swag online now!
Enjoy ITF & Other Summer Plans!
How to Find out More...?
Email: executivedirector@vathespian.org
Website: https://www.vathespian.org/mission.html
Location: Winchester, VA, USA
Phone: 703-554-3416
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaThespians
Twitter: @thespians1
EdTA Survey
Directors, please take this survey to EdTA can best advocate for you & your programs!
Virginia Thespians Alumni Group
ITF Punchcard & Permission Slip
VTF 2024 will be January 4-6th at Capital One & Hilton in Tysons Corner, VA!
1. Do you want to bring a show? We are accepting mainstages NOW!
2. Do you want to come for one day or a full weekend? Only full weekend schools can compete now so consider fundraising, asking your administration for support, add this into your yearly calendars now to plan your season around it.
3. Will you need transportation? Reach out to nearby schools to consider sharing a bus to save on money and getting to know a nearby program.
We hope to see you there!
Check out our main 2024 spaces in the Capital One Hall & Hilton Hotel!
The Vault
The Main Auditorium
Hilton Lobby
Connecting with local artists
Planning a field trip soon?
ITS Inductions Checklist
1. Hold an interest meeting. Ask- Who is interested in becoming inducted into ITS?
2. Share out the point application for students to complete with their past and current theatrical experiences for certain point values.
3. Have students fill out the Member Google form, for the exact information you need to collect to put them into the official ITS/ EdTA system, and pay $35 for the one-time membership fee, which lasts them a lifetime. (More materials at the bottom of the newsletter to promote and explain ITS.)
4. Hold inductions. Here is a sample outline to use. You can create your own rituals, traditions, or if you are in a pinch, it can be less than 30 minutes before school starts or before a rehearsal for example.
5. Log into your myedta account to input all of your new inductees.
6. Pay the lump sum as the director, if your students didn't pay EdTA directly. Our suggestion is to collect the money as you typically do for school events, work with your bookkeeper or boosters to cut one check to EdTA to keep it simple.
7. Hold an end of year or semester celebration to hand out the new goodies when they are delivered to the school!
Don't have a troupe yet? Read more about the benefits and process here!
Join this art platform below for local artists, resources, and more!
Need information to share about Thespians or VTF?
Here is a Festival Guide for students or new troupe directors.
Why join or have an ITS troupe? Share with students & administrators!