“Together Toward Tomorrow”

Missey Head, Co-Convention Director

  

Henry Adams, author of The Education of Henry Adams wrote, “Unity is vision; it must have been part of the process of learning to see.”  This  quote perfectly captures the new direction of TETA and the theme for TheatreFest 2015, "Together Toward Tomorrow."  We, the members of TETA, are moving forward together to not only honor and celebrate our past, but also to focus on a future full of new opportunities and exciting possibilities.

As Co-Convention Director, I would like to welcome every member, guest, theatre patron and vendor to TheatreFest 2015, "Together Toward Tomorrow."   This year the convention will begin with an exciting convocation complete with musical performances from The Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and the Drum Cafe as seen on Oprah.  Musical numbers complete with a full orchestra and the opportunity for every TETA member to participate in an enormous drum line will create an event no one will forget...EVER. 

Immediately after the convocation, programming for the 2015 convention will commence.  We have received a wide variety of programming proposals and have incorporated new and innovative programming concepts into the schedule.  We have included numerous workshops for our growing number of students, our valued K-12 teachers, our esteemed university faculty members, our retired members, and our community and professional theatre practitioners.  New to the convention this year are events such as UIL Film Night, Adult Karaoke Night, K-12 Reception, Vendor's Reception, Educator Awards Reception and Awards Talk-Back, TETA Student Musical Performance, I.M. Breakfast, New to TETA, and Walk-Up Workshops. 

A variety of programming topics ranging from acting, playwriting, stage-combat, musical theatre, auditioning, mime, make-up, technology, scene design, and costumes will be offered.   In every cubby-hole and lobby space, ongoing performance activities will take place enveloping convention participants in the world of theatre. The UIL A-Z workshop for new teachers hosted by UIL Theatre Director, Luis Munoz, has been brought back by popular acclaim.  Topics for this all-day grouping of workshops offer methods for script selection, production design, and directing techniques.   Strategies for completing OAP paperwork, eligibilities, and the clarification of the OAP rules will also be addressed. This series is highly recommended for first year one-act play directors. 

Earlier this year, the committee responsible for recruiting and overseeing Guest Artists, conducted a survey asking members for recommendations for what is most desired in this area.  Overwhelmingly the majority of members responded they would prefer to see master theatre teachers who could provide the tools necessary for our membership to grow as a theatre educators as opposed to focusing on "star-level" performers.  Based upon this information, our Guest Artist Committee has done a superb job in securing nationally known Guest Artists who work in both professional and educational fields. Leaders in their fields, they will bring a wealth of knowledge and training to our membership.  Never in the history of our organization have we offered a more impressive line-up of Guest Artists.  Please don't miss the opportunity to be trained by the best the nation has to offer.

Hopefully, you and your students will take advantage of the wonderful activities presented at TheatreFest 2015, "Together Toward Tomorrow."  We are looking forward to an exciting convention and many, many new experiences.  We can do this...together...