What’s BEST about THEATREFEST?

I was sitting in rehearsal with my choir director last week and we were talking about the scene 13 in our production of Guys and Dolls Jr., “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” She asked me if I was going to have parent volunteers make the six sturdy benches we need for the scene. I said, “No, I’m picking them up from FWAFA this weekend.”
“How do you know the theatre people from FWAFA?”
“TETA. Don’t you know the music or choir people there?”
“No. I have no idea. You know a lot of theatre people, don’t you, because of TETA?”
“Yes, all across the state. I can count on my Texas theatre family for anything!”

What do I think is one of the best parts about attending our convention? As TETA President-Elect, Travis Poe, said in his most recent article, it’s about YOU! Because of convention, I have the privilege of meeting people- teachers, administrators and business vendors from all over Texas who care just as much as I do about Texas theatre. The whole idea of joining TETA is to join together and attend or participate in fantastic workshops aimed at honing our craft, network amongst other educators for professional and personal support, and share innovative ideas that will encourage us to continue in our common goal of producing quality theatre experiences for Texas K-16 students.
As Chair of the K-12 Committee, I was allowed to look at some of the workshop proposals for TheatreFest 2015. There are so many new and exciting workshops! Here are a few that I’m looking forward to:

Laban: Middle School Students Define Characterization
Staying Legal: Ins and Outs of Royalties and Performance Rights
Reaching For New Heights through the Fine Arts TEKS for 6-12
No More Binders or Textbooks: It’s all About Interactive Notebooks
K-12 Reception (snacks, exhibitor demonstrations, fashion shows, door prizes and more!)
AND especially the TETA Awards Banquet!

Here’s a special challenge for you: Invite a colleague who’s never been to convention! Invite your Fine Arts Director or Coordinator and tell them to join TTAC! Their life and professional career as a teacher or administrator will forever be changed for the better!

We are very excited to announce our dates, location and theme for SummerFest 2015 at convention. Thank you so much for attending SummerFest 2014 in Abilene. Ah…we will always remember it fondly. Our K-12 Committee is stronger than ever and truly committed to YOU and to this organization. We have several qualified individuals who have been nominated for the following positions which are up for re-election: K-12 Chair-Elect, High School at-Large, Middle School at-Large, and Elementary Interest Chair. Depending on the levels you teach, please attend either the High School Interest Meeting (grades 9-12), Middle School Interest Meeting (grades 7-8), or Elementary Interest Meeting (grades K-6). DON’T forget to also attend the K-12 Interest Meeting where two lucky attendees will receive a SummerFest 2015 Registration Waiver!

Wait…there’s MORE?!? What’s that you say? There are MORE Give-aways? YES!!!
Details please…

Two lucky TETA members will have a chance to win three FREE nights at the Hyatt just by registering for convention by November 1st? AWESOME!!!

In closing, I must express my gratitude for the current TETA Board of Directors. I continue to be in awe of their passion for Texas theatre, selfless positive attitude, professionalism and integrity. It’s been a road with many twists and turns the past two years, but together with a like-minded spirit focused on making TETA transparent and sensational again, so much has been accomplished. The newly revised Manual of Operations and an approved budget to say the least! It has truly been an honor to serve TETA in my position as VP and Chair of the K-12 Committee.

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”- Henry Ford

Please join us for TETA TheatreFest 2015: Together Toward Tomorrow!

In service of this great organization,
Sara A. Schochler

TETA Board of Directors
K-12 Chair