Education Sessions

Wednesday, March 19

Panel discussion about the process of achieving tenure and strategies to prepare for post-tenure reviews and the application for full professor.

A display of interesting and unique ways of teaching theatre design and technology.

An opportunity for students and educators, as well as industry pros, to meet with representatives of the OSHA Consultation Service in an open dialog and Q&A session. Those with questions or concerns about tasks they are being asked to do, or conditions in the workplace that make them uncomfortable, need to attend this session.

Here’s a chance to get involved with the Institute and make a difference. Meet other professionals, educators, and students who share passions and concerns for education.

A continuation of the Education Commission Meeting I. Discover why networking is the key to a successful Conference. And remember, “reception” is the code word for free food.

The USITT Distinguished Achievement n Education Award winner, Karl Eigsti, will present a retrospective on his career as an educator and will discuss pedagogy.

Thursday, March 20

You’ve read about it on the web. You’ve tried it in your own classroom. Now hear how the projects were developed and used from the original authors. Current and potential authors present their creative projects and enlarge upon new submissions.

A panel presentation of the conflict between the constant demands of production assignments and class work on students, and strategies to help students with this dilemma. Students are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Tackling the issues of undergraduate advising. Especially aimed at newly-minted faculty, the panelists will share strategies for preparing plans of study, academic advising, and the challenges of helping students chart a safe course through to graduation and beyond.

Friday, March 21

How to go about finding the funding to create a computer lab for digital design, CAD, and sound courses. Discussion covers finding grants for hardware and software, finding class space, and ideas for working with other departments.

A session for students on how to set up a peer mentoring program at a college or university.

A follow-up to the first Commission meeting. Bring ideas for future Conferences and sessions.

A small school, tiny budget, and few workers; is the production doomed? These panelists will share ideas and strategies for success.

A second chapter in the “managing the drama at home” series. This session focuses on children from homes with one or more parents in the theatre industry. Hear what tots, teens, and parents have to say about life in the wings.

Getting students on campus and into a classroom is not always a walk in the park. The panelists will share ideas and experiences on recruiting despite the odds. Topics include recruiting minority students, small programs, and miniscule budgets.

Investigate the challenges and rewards in teaching the importance of process. How to teach students to balance the journey as well as the end result.

Saturday, March 22

Methods and projects to eliminate lectures and glassy stares in technical theatre and design courses. Panelists will share strategies for active learning in the classroom including multiple station, small group activities with active student observation.

Prior to executing the mechanics of the design process, a designer engages in an extensive period of research. Frequently this work parallels that of a dramaturge. Explore ways to identify this activity in the curriculum and give it recognition as authentic scholarship.

An opportunity for high school teachers, students, directors, and technicians to get together and discuss the issues unique to presenting theatre in a secondary school setting. Topics include small budget, young students, and preparing students for college theatre. Panelists will share ideas and success stories, as well as invite feedback from the audience.