The Adjudication Committee currently provides workshops in preparing monologues for auditions for the State Student Conferences. The committee works with students who are selected to perform the top monologues from the writing competition at the student conference. Workshops are also presented at the State Education Conference in adjudication techniques. Plans to adjudicate local productions are in the works for the future.Committee members include: Lisa Drance, Toni Smith Wilson, Kate Olena,CHAIR: Roger Paolini
The Advocacy Committee develops strategies for promoting and supporting theatre education at local and state levels through activities such as: finding research materials that indicate the importance of theatre education for kindergarten through grade 12, networking with other arts organizations to exchange advocacy information, developing a network of student leaders who work to promote theatre education in their schools, pursuing letter campaigns to state and local officials, and sending information and materials to NYSTEA members in the Theatre in Our Schools Campaign. YOU can be involved! Whenever you find an example of research that supports theatre in our schools, please send it to the NYSTEA Chronicles at NYSTEANEWS@aol.com mailto:NYSTEANEWS@aol.com or to the Advocacy Chairperson. Recruit students from your drama program to work with our Student Advocacy Group. Write and encourage your parent boosters to write your school board, state legislators and the NYS Education Department advocating theatre education for all students. Educate your colleagues and administrators by sharing information from NYSTEA with them. Committee members include: Holly Adams, Carolyn Black, and Susan Schoonmaker.CHAIR: Kate Olena
The Awards Committee oversees the Student Monologue/Dialogue Writing Contest, judges all the entries, and provides the winning monologues to be performed at the Student Conference. Throughout the year, it gives out awards as listed below, recognizing commitment to educational theatre by students, professional adults, and parent volunteers all across the state.The Awards Committee administers the following awards:
STUDENT AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE - NYSTEA members may nominate one or two students to receive recognition for their talent and dedication to theatre. The committee will mail to all NYSTEA members nomination forms by early May. Certificate awards are then issued directly to members for presentation in a manner that best suits their individual circumstances. OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD - NYSTEA members may honor an adult volunteer whose efforts have made a significant contribution to the success of a local theatre program. This award is issued in conjunction with the student awards and is processed in a similar fashion. NYSTEA CONFERENCE AWARDS - These are presented to persons who have played a significant role in the world of theatre, be it educational or professional.
- The Rod Marriott Award is presented for lifetime achievement in educational theatre.
- The Administrator of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has actively demonstrated a commitment to theatre education in a New York State school.
- Lifetime Achievement or other awards are determined on an individual basis. The selection of candidates to receive conference awards is made by the NYSTEA Board of Trustees, following submission of nominations from the membership.
- Longevity certificates and pins to NYSTEA members when they have reached 5, 10 15 and 20 year increments of sustained membership.
Committee members include: Denny Evaul, Rosemary Evaul
CHAIR: Susan Schoonmaker
This committee works closely with colleges, universities and vendors around the state providing a two-way informational link regarding theatrical products and services. The committee coordinates colleges, universities and vendor representation at both conferences working with the local conference committee. This committee also helps coordinate workshops presented by colleges, universities and vendors, as well as student auditions and college fairs at the conferences. The committee also operates, maintains inventory, and re-orders as necessary the NYSTEA store for the conferences.Committee Members include: Debra Ritchey, Sylvia Ramsdell
CHAIR: Maureen Natali
This committee is working on building the NYSTEA treasury and events by searchingand applying for arts and arts partnership grants. The committee also hopes to buildscholarship funds for student use. This is a new committee and grant ideas are welcome.Committee members include: Susan Schoonmaker, Leslie Diamond, Kate Olena, Kathleen Hinds
CHAIR: Holly Adams
The Nominating Committee seeks qualified candidates for the positions as NYSTEA Board of Trustees and officers. The committee welcomes nominations and self submissions from interested members.
CHAIR: Carolyn Black
The Play Survey is a resource to assist NYSTEA members in selecting and mounting plays for production. In it are titles of musicals and straight plays, both full length and one-act, which have been recommended by NYSTEA members. Included are casting, set and costume info, and all kinds of suggestions born of actual production experience. Members may contribute to each year's Play Survey by completing the information forms, which will be sent to them during the year. All contributors receive a copy of that year's Play Survey free of charge.
CHAIRS: Judi Paseltiner, Lisa Drance
The SED Committee is always collaborating with the State Education Department on many levels and projects including: -ASSETS Arts Assessment -Content Specialty Exam for Theatre CertificationYou can get involved by submitting lesson plan ideas and piloting the ASSETS test when it comes available! The In-service Committee works in conjunction with colleges and universities in attaining college credit for NYSTEA members attending the annual conference. The committee also works with local teacher centers for teachers who may be eligible to receive in-service credit.Committee members include: Gail Nelli, Sylvia Ramsdell.
CHAIR: Kristie L. Fuller In-service CHAIR: Kathleen Hinds
This committee promotes regional growth and activities. Regional committee chairs will assist members of their region with networking, creating student and director conferences, and any other projects a region wishes to undertake. Regional committee chairs will also gather information from members highlighting regional activities for each issue of the newsletter.
CHAIR: Victoria King!
This is designed as a way for students to express their theatrical experiences through the monologue and dialogue formats. U.S. Saving Bonds are issued to students who submit the best work, as judged by the Award Committee. Certificates for winning students are mailed to school principals along with the name of the NYSTEA member who encouraged the student to enter the contest. The writing focus for the annual contest, along with the rules and deadline information, is included in a brochure mailed to NYSTEA members in late autumn and can be found on the web. Submissions are evaluated by members of NYSTEA and the committee. Select submissions may be performed by selected students at the student conference.
Committee members include: Sylvia Ramsdel, Jennie Dombrowski
CHAIR: Leslie Diamond
The Annual NYSTEA Student Conference creates an opportunity for high school students from all over the state to come together for an exciting weekend of fun and learning. These students attend workshops given by colleges, universities, and other theatre professionals. They network with one another and are even given the opportunity to perform for each other. The 11th Annual NYSTEA Student Conference was Jan 4-6, 2008 at the Hudson Valley Resort
Committee members include: Kathleen Hinds, Carolyn Black, Coral Crossman, Maureen Natali, Sylvia Ramsdell and Mark Solkoff.
Chairs: John Fredricksen & Judi Paseltiner.
Theatre Education Conference
NYSTEA presents an annual conference in the fall. It is sponsored by the regions of the organization. This conference moves around the state each year to enable regions to grow and to celebrate the entire state. The conference presents workshops, guest speakers and networking opportunities for all members. Awards for achievement in theatre are presented at this conference as well.
Chairs: The Central Region
The NYSTEA Chronicles is published three times a year (Fall, Spring, Summer) and shares quality educational theatre information with the membership. The editor welcomes written and picture submissions as well as regional news. Deadlines for submission are: December 15 for the Fall edition, April 15 for the Spring edition, and August 1 for the Summer edition. Please e-mail items to NYSTEANews@aol.com
Editor: Mark Solkoff
