I’ve also been assisting our current K-12 Committee with the planning of SummerFest 2015, which is going to be in Austin, July 31-August 2. Yes, this is potentially going to be not only the best but also the biggest SummerFest in TETA’s history. We’re very excited!
Lately we’ve emailed and/or spoken to many presenters, members and attendees answering questions and confirming details. Some new TETA members might need to know the differences between SummerFest and TheatreFest.
Here are several:
1. Smaller presenter : attendee ratio.
2. No vendors or exhibit hall.
3. No students, just K-C/U educators.
4. More “hands-on” and “make-and-take” workshops.
5. We’re hosted by a university, not a big hotel. This means actual performance spaces, lighting labs, dance spaces, costume and scenic shops.
6. ALL attendees receive free door prizes!
7. SummerFest registration includes snacks, drinks, breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and a great sit-down meal on Sunday.
8. Early Bird registrants get an awesome SummerFest T-shirt!
I’ve had several phone conversations and messages via social media these past few days looking for information about how TETA SummerFest first began. Many TETA members might not know how or why SummerFest got started. First, it wasn’t always called “SummerFest.” Back in the early 80s it was called Summer Rep, then Summer Workshop throughout 1990s, and finally SummerFest in 2008. It also only used to happen every other year in either Seguin, Beaumont or Sam Houston. In the beginning, several Texas teachers and high school directors would gather and write not only lessons but actual state curriculum! Did you know that in the weeks prior to Summer Workshop, the participants in the educator’s workshop performed a short play for those who wrote curriculum?
1. Smaller presenter : attendee ratio.
2. No vendors or exhibit hall.
3. No students, just K-C/U educators.
4. More “hands-on” and “make-and-take” workshops.
5. We’re hosted by a university, not a big hotel. This means actual performance spaces, lighting labs, dance spaces, costume and scenic shops.
6. ALL attendees receive free door prizes!
7. SummerFest registration includes snacks, drinks, breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and a great sit-down meal on Sunday.
8. Early Bird registrants get an awesome SummerFest T-shirt!
I’ve had several phone conversations and messages via social media these past few days looking for information about how TETA SummerFest first began. Many TETA members might not know how or why SummerFest got started. First, it wasn’t always called “SummerFest.” Back in the early 80s it was called Summer Rep, then Summer Workshop throughout 1990s, and finally SummerFest in 2008. It also only used to happen every other year in either Seguin, Beaumont or Sam Houston. In the beginning, several Texas teachers and high school directors would gather and write not only lessons but actual state curriculum! Did you know that in the weeks prior to Summer Workshop, the participants in the educator’s workshop performed a short play for those who wrote curriculum?
1982: Sequin, Texas. Number of attendees? Approximately 30.
The original intent of Summer Workshop, or SummerFest as it’s now called, was to network as a collaborative group and share successes, challenges, write curriculum and lessons. Expecting nothing in return, teachers presented for each other in the spirit of giving back to an organization with the goal of strengthening the importance of theatre education in Texas and bringing back new ideas and activities for their own students. Texas theatre educators wanted to be a part of something that would make them a better teacher and director for their students.
Having served K-12 off and on since 2008, and as the current "K-12 Past Chair", I see SummerFest getting bigger. The number of attendees each year is growing at a steady pace. Universities are on a waiting list, wanting to host the next SummerFest. We would love to reward special guest artists for presenting; or offer free registration to those TETA members who continually present workshops; but it’s not TheatreFest, it was never meant to be. Let’s all meet in Austin next month in the spirit and graces of those who began this great TETA tradition: SummerFest!
The members of the K-12 committee will continue to plan these next several weeks, gather some amazing door prizes, and offer incredible programming. It’s going to be a wonderful three days at St. Edwards University, July 30-August 2nd. We hope to see you there!
Sara Schochler
Past-Chair, TETA K-12 Committee
Sara Schochler
Past-Chair, TETA K-12 Committee
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