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High School Theatre Teachers Description: Verbatim Documentary Theatre in the Classroom: Innovations, Possibilities, and an Introduction to the Form" In this presentation, I'll provide an overview of the history of the Verbatim Performance Lab's high school residency work creating ethnodramas with young people and the innovations and successes that have come from those teaching experiences. I'll then provide an introduction to verbatim theatre as a form of arts-based research and playmaking, and lead the attendees through some activities that give a sense of the core techniques. Presenter Bio: Ryan Howland, EdD, is a New York City-based theatre artist and educator. Ryan recently earned his Doctorate in Educational Theatre from NYU Steinhardt, where he also teaches applied/community-engaged theatre practices. His work uses interview-based, verbatim documentary theatre to explore the urban/rural divide in the US. Ryan is a teaching artist with the Verbatim Performance Lab, a project of NYU Steinhardt’s program in Educational Theatre, and has taught methods of documentary theatre making throughout New York and New Jersey. Ryan also works for the Theatre Development Fund, a non-profit organization whose mission is to make theatre affordable and accessible to all. In his role as Autism Friendly Performances Programs Manager, he helps present Broadway musicals and plays in a supportive environment for individuals with autism and other cognitive or developmental disabilities. |
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K-12 Teachers of theater and directors of after-school theater programs. Description: Join this collaborative workshop to discover how to build and sustain inclusive theatre classrooms and rehearsal spaces. Participants will examine how to translate Individualized Education Program (IEP) data into actionable theatre strategies that meet the needs of all learners. Through the lens of a successful District 75 theatre program, participants will also learn practical strategies for centering student voice in every performance, leaving with actionable tools to transform individual practice. Presenter Bio: Marissa Russo is a theatre artist and practitioner specializing in accessibility. She teaches theatre at P721Q in Elmhurst, Queens, a public school for students ages 14-22 with severe/profound disabilities. Together with her students, she devises and directs two to three productions a year. In the classroom, she creates a curriculum that uses theatre structures to foster independence, communication, and transitional skills. Marissa works with the NYCPS Arts Office on special projects including the All (In)clusive Theater Ensemble and professional development workshops for NYC theater teachers. She also consults with TDF for their Autism Friendly Performances series, collaborating with productions such as Hamilton, Ragtime, Buena Vista Social Club, and Just in Time. Marissa is a recent inductee to the Marist University Theatre Hall of Fame, where she received her BA, and a graduate of NYU Steinhardt's Educational Theatre program (MA). |
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Intended Audience: Middle School/ High School Theater Teachers Description: This workshop explores the monologue performance as a tool for college entrances into BFA Acting and Musical Theatre Conservatory programs. It is taught by someone who has watched thirty years of college auditions – as Head of Theatre at Yale, Head of Acting at Emerson College, Dean of the School of the Arts at a college in Massachusetts, and currently Head of Theatre and Acting at Five Towns College. I have auditioned thousands of performers, primarily at the Unified Auditions, for thirty years. Discussion of monologue choices, common mistakes, and best practices, as well as coaching monologues. Presenter Bio: David Krasner, Chair of Theatre at Five Towns College since 2018, has taught acting, directing, and theatre history for 50 years. He received his Ph. D. in Drama from Tufts University, his M. F. A. in Acting and Directing from Virginia Commonwealth University, and his B. F. A. in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University. A member of Actors’ Equity and Screen Actors Guild, and a New York based actor for fourteen years where he performed in TV commercials, soap operas, 0ff-Broadway, and film, he is also the published author and editor of twelve books and over three dozen articles on Stanislavsky, acting technique, modern drama, American drama, African American theatre, theatre and philosophy, and dramatic theory and criticism. His students have won Tony, Emmy, and Obie Awards, and he is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on Stanislavsky acting, Method Acting, Meisner Technique, theatre history, modern drama, American drama, African American Theatre History, and the philosophy of theatre. He serves on the advisory/editorial boards of Stanislavsky Studies, Theatre Journal, and African American Review. He was formerly the Dean of the School of the Arts at Dean College in Franklin MA for five years; Head of the BFA Acting Program at Emerson College for five years; Director of Undergraduate Theatre Studies at Yale University for six of his ten years there; Head of the MFA Graduate Directing Program at Southern Illinois University for two years, taught Acting and Directing at the University of Idaho for two years, and taught Acting, Voice, Movement, and Speech at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NY for nine years. www.davidkrasner.com |
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Elementary and Middle School Theater Arts Programs Description: Three Pigs is the signature show for Propbox Players that aims to engage, excite, & educate our youngest thespians through sensory based theatre. What will be shown is a piece of the Three Pigs performance that utilizes slime to help solve the problem that the ‘wolf’ is misunderstood. Connecting social emotional learning with sensory based theatre in a way where all learners can participate in the solo performance led by educator and performer Michele Traina. This sensory based piece has toured throughout the country both in person and online. It is inspired by Michele’s daughter who is ADHD and slime and additional sensory based props help regulate emotions, communication, and finding effective strategies to accept each other's differences. Although we won’t have slime kits for all participants in the sharing, this piece will incorporate audience members to help the Wolf and the 3 Pigs understand each other better to work together to make slime together. The volunteers called up during this sharing will help make a sample slime. The clips below are to show an example of how the performance piece will be facilitated. Educators will walk away with a script outline to utilize for other fairy tales that incorporate sensory based props and utilize them to be a tool in conflict resolution in various scenarios. Intended audience: Early Childhood but can be adapted for elementary and middle school. Presenter Bio: Michele Traina, Owner of Propbox Players, Clinical Assistant Professor in Educational Theatre at Adelphi University. Michele Traina is an educator, actor, and owner of Propbox Players, a sensory based theatre company for young audiences. She helped re-open the globally recognized Educational Theatre program at Adelphi University and where she serves as a faculty member. Michele has participated in conferences such as AATE, EDTA, and PTO. In addition Michele is an active performer touring the country with her award winning comedy show Divorce Diaries, also on Prime Video, is the host of What’s Up NY. Her work is centered around making people feel heard and is inspired by her daughter Grace. |
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Tech Directors/ Arts Admin/ Theater Program Directors Description: This workshop will provide content to facilitate an open discussion about common OSHA standards as they relate to presenting live events. We will explore the OSHA standards applicable when working with students onstage. The workshop will also address the general duty clause and the potential changes currently under discussion at the federal level. Presenter Bio: Susan Brandt is the Chair of the Entertainment Technology Department at New York City College of Technology. With over thirty years of experience in live event production, Sue brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. She is a certified OSHA 10/30-hour trainer and has integrated OSHA standards, NFPA guidelines, and local laws into the City Tech Entertainment Management curriculum. Additionally, she is a strong advocate for maintaining safe environments both on and off stage. |
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Full Conference Event Description: In this session, Intimacy Choreographer, Coordinator, and Educator Matthew Mastromatteo will walk participants through foundational best practices in cultivating consent-forward theatrical classrooms and rehearsal spaces. Participants will learn a brief history of consent-forward practices in performance and academic arenas, receive an overview of considerations when establishing agency within an ensemble, and leave with a short list of exercises and resources to bring back to their practice and institution. Presenter Bio: Matthew Mastromatteo [He/They] is an actor, director, intimacy professional, and educator based in New York City. They received their BA in Theatre and Music from Mount St. Mary’s University and his MFA in Theatre Arts: Acting from Long Island University: C.W. Post. Matthew is a newly certified Miller Voice Method (mVm) Teacher. They have taught acting, movement, and voice courses at Long Island University, Marymount Manhattan College, Sarah Lawrence College and the Powerhouse Theater Summer Intensive at Vassar College. An integration specialist, Matthew is exciting by the union of body, voice, and spirit in performance. They are the outgoing chair of the Acting Program with the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) and a producing member of Adjusted Realists, an NYC-based theatre company. Favorite projects include; Peter Pan-sexual [NYCPanto], The Refugees [Adjusted Realists], The Briefly Dead [59e59 Theatres], and Othello [PostGrad Theater Co.]. |
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Tech Directors, Directors Description: The session will be an interactive conversation designed to look at potential crew positions, functions, and keeping the students engaged throughout the Production Process. Presenter Bio: David Grill is a Drama Desk Nominee, fifteen-time Emmy Award Nominee and five-time Primetime Emmy Award winner. As the Lighting Designer his Broadway Musical and Dance credits include Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, The American Dance Machine, works for the Milwaukee Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet Met, Houston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, Cincinnati Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Numerous Choreographers. Mr. Grill is also responsible for lighting the Drew Barrymore Show, the New York Philharmonic, also provides Lighting Direction for the National Memorial Day and July 4th. Concerts on PBS and for 18 Super Bowl Half-time Shows. He has been featured in numerous publications and is an Associate Professor and Co-Chair of the Design / Technology Program at Purchase College, State University of New York. |
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