VA Thespian Update
VA Thespians Kudos & Happenings
November: Fall Shows, Flavors, and Feasts!
Have you heard of Governor's School at Radford? There are some conflicts with festival for adjudications so plan ahead if you or someone you know intend on applying!
We just updated our website! We apologize if things were hard to find. All application/registration deadlines are pushed out until Dec 1st. Thank you for your patience! Please email if you have any questions with registration, etc.
Meet & Greet: Your Registration Chair
Director Spotlight: Centreville High School
Curtain Call Congrats: Kecoughtan High School
Calling for Colleges & More!
We are looking to secure more colleges to be involved in festival. Please share the Intent Form with interested/related parties this month so we can finalize logistics for the long-awaiting weekend. Here is a PD survey from one of our partnering colleges they would love you to take. We are looking to have some classes focus on teacher PD in addition to student workshops. Stay tuned for more information coming your way!
"Greetings!
My name is Rachel Rhoades and I am the incoming JMU Theatre Education coordinator reaching out to you as a first step in developing one or more professional development sessions to be conducted virtually for Virginia high school drama teachers. I am very eager and excited to get to know all of you and to provide space for training and mutual learning based on your needs and interests. Please fill out the following survey to help me design PD workshops that are most meaningful for you all. Also feel free to reach out to me directly for resources, if you have a student interested in theatre education, or any other reason."We are looking for other volunteers. Know any alumni interested? Have them fill out this form and we hope they can join us for festival!
Virtual Thespians is THIS MONTH!
Anyone can attend these. Here is our Facebook Event with more details about each session too- troupe directors can attend for FREE. If you are interested, email me and I will invite you with a complimentary ticket.
Email Campaign
1. Sign the petition listed above. We have almost 1,500 signatures, but are aiming for over 10K.
2. Personalize this letter and send it to any news connections, politicians, and other Virginia decision makers you know. Here are some emails we suggest sending it to:
superintendent@doe.virginia.gov Superintendent Lane
healthandhumanresources@governor.virginia.gov
leah.walker@doe.virginia.gov VDOE (Equity & community Chair)
zenia.burnett@doe.virginia.gov
kelly.bisogno@doe.virginia.gov (Fine Arts Coordinator for VDOE)
christine.harris@doe.virginia.gov
thomas.broyles@doe.virginia.gov
employment@vdh.virginia.gov (VDH HR)
joanna.pitts@vdh.virginia.gov (VDH School Health)
clark.mercer@governor.virginia.gov Gov's Chief of Staff
3. Spread the word. The more voices that join us, the more likely we will be heard!
Teacher Tool of the Month: Icebreakers
Need something to fill time? Each of these in the file below are image-based icebreakers. You can use them as class starters, conversation continuers, or add them into a drama game for class. There are over 200 included in this Google Slides. In the note section of slide 1, find a version you can adapt on your own. Based on the 2021-22 Troupe Director Survey you all sent out, one popular ask was "teaching resources for simple lessons." We will now share one a month to hopefully help you. These can be used for virtual, hybrid, or in person lessons. Happy Teaching!
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
REMINDER: Want a headache-free way to sign up for conference?
1. Have students complete this form with their interest. Give a deadline that works for you and this way all of the information is in one place and hopefully it takes 30 min-1 hour to register everyone depending on your group size. *Note the form is a sample, make a copy of your own, add it to your drive to keep track of the data, and thank Neil Burch for this format!
2. Collect the appropriate amount of money from students. As suggested from veteran attendees, spend some class time, rehearsal time, or however you best communicate with students to explain conference and all its programming. Note what is paid separately like hotels, meals, auditions, Thespys, etc. (the form in step 1 above ,will include inquiry related to these add ons and the hyperlink here directs you back to the amounts for registration and the additional events).
3. Register everyone (at once) through your account. Then pay the invoice(s) through the funds you collected. Another note from veteran attendees: collect your money and put into a field trip (or other similar type) fund through your secretary or your boosters. Then write one check to cover it all or make one credit card payment to take care of all invoices. Pro tip: DO NOT submit your registration for an invoice until all of your registrants are finalized!! Looking to book your hotel now? Download the informational document below or check here, when you scroll to the bottom, on our website.
4. NEW- Can't come as a troupe due to mandates? Have your students complete this form if they want to attend as an individual and we will match them with a school to hangout with for the weekend. Email executivedirector@vathespian.org for questions or more information.
Need information to share about Thespians or VTF?
Here is a Festival Guide for students or new troupe directors.