Saying “Yes!” to TheatreFest!

Mandy Whitlock
Fine Arts Coordinator
Theatre Arts Director
Red Wagon Campus Mentor Advisor
Louis D. Brandeis High School
T.E.T.A. Vice President Elect K-12

Helping your Administration say “Yes!” to TheatreFest.  A day doesn’t go by that I do not use something I learned at TETA TheatreFest.  Whether it is a lesson or activity taught by an amazing colleague, or a philosophy shared by a special guest, the things I gain each year at TheatreFest directly impact my students and my instruction.  I know each of our members share my enthusiasm at the thought of heading back to Houston for another amazing convention.  However, in today’s economy, it might be more difficult to gain approval and funding to attend TheatreFest and I know I have already heard a few of you lamenting that the professional development funds are just not available at your campus.

Now, more than ever, we need to gather as educators for inspiration, and support to do what is best for our students.  Now is the time to demonstrate the benefits of attending TheatreFest to your administrators and to define, through data, how your attendance will benefit the students in your school. Now, you may be hearing “No” to Professional Development but, I am going to help you hear “Yes!” to TheatreFest.

Administrative decisions are driven by data and by going beyond simply asking for approval, consider submitting a more formal proposal that appeals to the practical and data driven audience that is your principal, academic dean, or fine arts coordinator. Grants and financial programs may already exist in your district or on your campus that may allow for all or a portion of your time at TheatreFest to be funded but, a specific proposal that hits on the criteria for funding is the key to getting approval. By developing a detailed proposal, you can demonstrate how your participation at TheatreFest directly relates to the strategies and objectives of your school, including those beyond the theatre arts classroom. Use the proposal to articulate the need for your continued professional development and the benefits of TheatreFest for your students, your school, and you.

Know Your Audience

1.       When addressing funding for professional development, it is important to reach out to administrators by addressing how the funds will be used to correct an issue that data has identified as a problem for the student body on your campus.  Perhaps the data shows that your campus is struggling with 9^th grade success rates, or attendance is an issue.  We know as theatre educators that the dynamic programs we have developed on our campuses not only encourage students to attend school but , also motivate them to remain eligible.  Write down three to five of the most important goals and strategies being addressed in your school today based on the data that is provided to you through assessment, attendance and staff meetings.
2. Think about how you personally contribute to those goals and strategies. How does your work as a drama educator affect the overall mission of your school? Make a list of your personal contributions to your school’s goals and strategies. Document data that shows how your program has improved test scores, attendance rates, cross curricular connections with the curriculum, etc.
3. Review the TheatreFest schedule (if not yet available, last year’s schedule) to better understand how the information provided will support your school’s goals. Mark meetings that relate to your list of personal contributions to the attainment of those goals and strategies and make note of the workshop presenters, instructors, special guests and vendors that you would like to meet with while attending TheatreFest. Write a summary of how attending the convention and meeting these people will help you contribute to the school’s goals and strategies and use this case with your administrator when making your request to attend the convention.

Formulating the Script

In addition to the district or campus paperwork outlining the cost of sending you to TheatreFest, provide your administration with your proposal for attending. The following is an example of what could be included for a secondary theatre teacher’s proposal:

 At present, our school’s goal is to improve the overall academic achievement of each student. My personal contribution to this is to deliver a TEKS-based, quality theatre education experience that helps keep our students engaged in learning, motivated to attend school, and extends to other curricular success through cross-curricular lesson delivery. Within the numerous workshops offered at TheatreFest, there are over (insert number) specifically targeted to improving my delivery of theatre education to 6-12 grade students. There are (insert number) workshops designed to enhance my cross-curricular instruction. Additionally, (insert speaker’s name),(insert credentials) will be presenting workshops on active listening lessons, theatre  games for classroom use, and techniques for advanced college readiness and critical thinking for the young performer. Besides multiple hands on workshops, there will be performances by some of the best theatre programs from across the state.  By attending these performances, I can gain programming and instructional ideas that will directly affect our student body and improve instruction and performance.
 While professional development offered by our district is valuable, it is not specific to my discipline. Attending TheatreFest is a valuable opportunity to receive intense and specific professional development as a theatre educator. Attending TheatreFest offers me the unique opportunity to collaborate with and learn from other educators in my discipline. Because of these and many other reasons, I request your support to attend the Texas Educational Theatre Association’s TheatreFest in Houston, January 27-29, 2012.

       As always, thank you for your continued support of the theatre department of (insert school name)

It is all in the Delivery:

It is crucial that you make a sound proposal that specifically addresses the needs of your department and school.  Key points about data and how TheatreFest presenters are offering strategies to solve areas of concern on your campus is a great way to highlight the importance of attending.  Demonstrate to your administration that the dollar signs they see on your funding proposal are justified and well worth the investment.  Once you have received support, preparing yourself to get the most out of your experience is imperative.  Outline what workshops and events you will attend and document how you feel they can help you at your campus.  Assess your level of professional development and challenge yourself to attend as many sessions as possible.  Attend your interest chair meetings and network with educators about strategies for reaching campus goals and improvement methods.  When you return home after TheatreFest, submit a report to your administration about what you learned and how TheatreFest has offered strategies for you to integrate into the curriculum.  Show that the money spent for you to attend did benefit the whole school by offering to teach a workshop to all the teachers on your campus or for the district to share the strategies that you think could assist all educators or other directors in your district.  Following through with administration after TheatreFest can set the groundwork for funding your trip to SummerFest or next year’s TheatreFest.

I hope to see all of you at TheatreFest and send my best wishes to those of you who will be making your case to your administration in order to attend.  TheatreFest is truly a one of a kind opportunity for you to learn and grow and bring the very best back to your students.  It is an investment in your future as an educator and in the development of your campus goals and should not be missed.