Workshops

We are also offering Professional Development Units for attending the conference.

Workshops for the 2024 Conference include:

Fulfilling the Promise of Prop 28 in CA: Collective Impact Approach to Arts Education Equity by Adelaide Kuehn & Dominique Enriquez

Proposition 28, passed in 2022, provides schools with ongoing funding – approximately $1 billion annually – to equitably increase arts instruction and access to arts education. We’ll share how statewide the arts education ecosystem is working together to identify and respond to opportunities and challenges that advance equity in public arts education. *Participants will be able to describe how collective impact efforts can support statewide arts education initiatives *Participants will be able to identify planning tools created to meet the needs of community advocates working to support the scaling up arts education programs in schools *Participants will engage in a small group collective brainstorming session to surface systems change strategies, resource development needs and potential actions they can initiate in their own work.

Proposition 28: VAPA Workforce Needs and Planning for the Future by Eric Engdahl, PhD & Lisa Edsall-Giglio

Proposition 28 is a permanent change to funding arts education and requires a paradigm shift as it provides the theatre education community with the opportunity to engage in creative long-term planning. Based on analysis of budgets and data from school districts, this workshop will provide a space for learning about the opportunities and challenges of recruiting a diverse teacher workforce, credentialing, and building new teacher pipelines under Proposition 28. There will also be a chance to learn how different theatre programs are implementing the law, to learn how theatre teachers are working across school sites to provide k-12 theatre curriculum, to brainstorm about how to creatively build our collaborative future, and to ask questions about Proposition 28.

Career Focused Theatre–New Standards, New Pathways, New Opportunities! By Jack Mitchell

In this session, AME Institute Trainer and Theatre specialist, Jack Mitchell, will share opportunities for theatre teachers in Career Tech Ed. He will share the new Industry Guidance Document (soon to be the new AME Standards), review the new performance and live design pathways in AME and introduce several new professional learning opportunities offered by the AME Institute.

We’re All in This Together (professionally speaking) by Elena Villa

What an exciting time! Prop 28 is set to boost arts educator staffing in our schools, opening up amazing opportunities for our Performing Arts Departments. We all dream of having a collaborative department we’re proud of, and guess what? It’s totally achievable with a bit of planning and teamwork. Join this upbeat workshop where we’ll dive into the four key  cornerstones that have helped our Performing Arts Department thrive for the last 12 years. Discover how to set clear goals, create a long-term vision, and let every team member shine. Let’s come together to foster educational excellence and build strong, supportive relationships that will make your department truly exceptional. Get ready for a fun, inspiring session that will leave you motivated and ready to take your Performing Arts Department to the next level!

Teaching Improvisation as a Foundation for Curriculum by James Thomas Bailey

Thanks to the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway? students are more interested in improvisation now more than ever. If you’re like most theatre teachers, you probably never had any formal training in improv, because most universities don’t offer it. This workshop will present a practical approach to teaching improv as the foundation of your curriculum that will provide a deep dive into skills, and enhance all aspects of your theatre classroom. Easy, fun, effective techniques that you can use tomorrow. Take back control from those 15-year old boys who think they know more than you about improvisation!

A Three-Ring Circus: Improv, circus skills, and puppetry to engage elementary grade levels, language learners and build SEL by Stephen Bass

Who doesn’t love the magical world of the circus?! This workshop will focus on the benefits and applications of integrating improvisational theatre, balancing and juggling skills, and puppetry into the classroom. This experiential workshop will provide teachers with activities and tips for engaging the full diversity of learners, from English Language Learners, to those on the spectrum, and those with behavioral challenges. It is my belief that providing opportunities for creative expression and collaboration is key to educational success, engagement and SEL. Teachers will leave this fun workshop with strategies to help primary students self-regulate through balancing and juggling, express their thoughts and feelings through puppets, and build community through improvisation.

Analyzing Character & Setting in a Primary Classroom by Jackie Kiikvee

Teachers will learn a variety of strategies and activities that target early literacy. Attendees will walk away with tangible activities that they can use with their young learners that will empower students to analyze character, create character, and find text evidence to support their analysis. Attendees will also walk away with lessons that will build a setting.

• We will establish norms that are helpful in a primary classroom.
• We will then explore character, focusing on using drama-based strategies inspired by the Globe Education Academy (via the Globe Theatre in London). Strategies include Archetypes (using 4 archetypes and combinations of archetypes to help learners physicalize characters) and 7 essential questions (simple questions that can help direct learners to understand point of view and perspective of a character).
• We will establish and explore a setting using the 5 senses with a strategy called Magic Canvas.
• We will conclude with a debrief about how to apply these strategies to a wide variety of texts, ensuring we elevate BIPOC authors.

It’s Elementary! Strategies for the Elementary Theatre Classroom by Lissa Slay

Geared towards elementary educators, this workshop provides participants with practical tools to enrich their elementary theatre classrooms. Participants will discuss classroom logistics and management strategies, explore engaging theatre games to foster creativity and collaboration, and discover how to capture student learning through simple journaling techniques.

Theatre Games for special needs in the Classroom (Autism, Visually Impaired, etc) by Max Schafer

This is a participation workshop demonstrating how to adapt theatre games for different special needs groups. You will learn strategies, creative activities, and fun singing improv games for the very youngest primary grades to older. Max has 40 years’ experience teaching improv all over the world and studied with Viola Spolin and Paul Sills.

Building Outreach and Recruitment for Your Middle School Theatre Arts Programs by Rebecca Browning

This workshop provides practical strategies to grow and sustain your middle school theater program. Learn how to create an Advisory Board with elementary school representation, conduct engaging school visits with PBIS or Character Strong skits, and organize touring shows to feeder schools. Discover how to host school-day performances with fun souvenir giveaways to excite young students, and explore innovative day camp fundraisers. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with the tools, ideas, and skills to engage students, build strong relationships with feeder schools, and inspire participation in your theater program.

Middle Stage Fest Magic by Michelle Campbell & Amy Caston

Inspired by the many high school Theatre festivals, Middle Stage Fest allows middle school students to meet peers from other schools, share their passion, showcase their talents, receive feedback and recognition for their work, and participate in professional workshops–on a scale suited to middle school. It is also an excellent way to build great PR for your Theatre program, involve more students (without having to cast larger productions), and to connect with your fellow middle school educators. New to Middle Stage Fest? This workshop will be the perfect opportunity to find out how your school can participate in this fantastic event with minimal stress for you, but maximum success for your students! Already a MSF fan? Please come join the conversation, sharing your insights and ideas about how to make this year’s Middle Stage Fest the best yet!

Devising in the Classroom by Emily Stamets

Devising is THE hot topic in Theatre Arts – not only is it an essential part of the IB Theatre curriculum, it’s also the most powerful way to amplify your students’ voices in your Theatre Arts classroom. But where to start?? In this session, you’ll learn a step-by-step process for devising with your students, including practical tips for turning the messy creative process into a structured performance your students can be proud of (and your admin will applaud!). If you’re nervous about tackling devised theatre with your students, this workshop will give you the tools you need to approach this work with confidence. And if you’re a devising pro, this workshop will give you fresh ideas about how to generate content and polish your performances. This approach is relevant for in-class projects and public performances, short form and full-length productions. Participants will walk away with the know-how to lead a devising process in their classrooms tomorrow.

But WHAT did you like about it? Feedback That Helps Them Grow by Emily Stamets

Feedback is an essential part of the creative process, but “I liked it,” “It was funny,” and “I don’t get it,” don’t help an actor or designer who genuinely wants to improve. What kind of feedback moves the needle on creative work? How do we help students speak to the work, not just compliment their friends? How do we help emerging artists define their goals for their audience’s experience? Grounded in the Ladder of Inference cognitive model and devised theatre co-creative norms, this strategy relies on 3 simple questions that build critical thinking skills while inspiring authentic, artist-driven improvements.

Using Creativity to Strategic Plan for Your Theatre Program by Krista Carson Elhai

We will start with an analysis of a theatre program-what’s working, what makes money, what brings in a large audience, how do you connect your program with your community? We will then create a 6-month, 1-3-5-year strategic plan which will include a department mission statement, how to communicate your vision, and how the design of your season can fulfill many of your goals. Participants will walk away with a blueprint for taking their program to the next level.

Creating a Character Using Stanislavski by Lucia Lopes-Oliver

This workshop aims to equip educators with a deep understanding of the Stanislavski method, a cornerstone of modern acting, and provide practical tools they can use to inspire and develop their students’ acting skills. The Stanislavski method, renowned for its emphasis on emotional truth and character development, offers invaluable techniques that can profoundly enhance students’ performances and their appreciation of the craft. Through this workshop, teachers will not only explore the theoretical foundations of Stanislavski approach but also participate in interactive sessions designed to bring these concepts to life in the classroom. The workshop will cover:

• Introduction to the Stanislavski Method:
• Understanding its principles and historical significance.
• Practical exercises: Engaging in key exercises to experience the method firsthand.
• Application in the classroom: Strategies for integrating these techniques into high school curriculum to foster a deeper connection between students and their roles.

Addressing Mental Health and Wellness in Youth Theatre: A Way Forward by Dr. Chris Miller

Have you ever wondered about the mental health benefits of young people engaged in theatre? What about social-emotional benefits? How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the mental wellbeing of our young people? How can local theatre companies address the mental health and wellness of young performers? These questions and more will be addressed as Chris Miller, Ed.D. provides insights on the mental health benefits of youth participation in theatre. Through a review of the literature, a real-life case vignette of suicidal youth, and sharing of best practices, Dr. Miller will speak about the broader mental health and social- emotional benefits of youth theatre and conclude with recommendations for those that are engaged in youth theatre work on how to develop positive social environments that support all of our youth.

Stepping into Interactive + Immersive Entertainment by Michael “Thrash” Ornelas

What do you need to create an experience that’s not on the stage, unscripted, involves your audience? What are the rules to follow and need-to-knows before and during involving players who aren’t performers? Learn how to create a smart and safe experience that touches your audience ‘s hearts  and helps change their day (perhaps life) for the better.

Developing Accurate Grades and Rubrics to Promote Equity and a Positive Growth Mindset by Shaun Klaseus

As artists, grading can feel exhaustive and unnecessary, maybe even counter-productive. As teachers we understand it is required for the job. In this workshop we will discuss how to use grades to promote Equity and a Positive Growth Mindset, and ACCURATELY communicate a students’ mastery. We will have a chance to share rubrics with each other and I will share scope and sequence template that is easy to understand and your admin will love.

QLab: The Triple Threat Transforming Theatres by Kyle Holmes

In this workshop we will be hands-on, looking at everything QLab can do to revolutionize your production tech. We will build cues from scratch, answer questions, and examine how a single GO button for every sound, projection and lighting cue makes for a much tighter show, and a lot less anxiety. After years of using QLab for SFX, it was an easy decision to integrate projections. But when my lighting board died, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go all-in on a single software. Friends, I’m never going back.

Scripts & Sensibilities: Building Empathy and Understanding Through Script Study by Kyle Holmes

Introducing your students to scripts can be daunting, especially after weeks of performing and working on your feet. I’m here to tell you that you can do it, and that your students will grow tremendously as artists and as an inclusive community because of it. We’ll cover how to introduce scripts, how to work through them as a class, activities and exercises they’ll love throughout, and summative assessments that will make English teachers insanely jealous. This workshop shows teachers how to utilize specific strategies for using scripts to look at issues of equity, diversity and inclusion in the performing arts, and build capacity with their students to have meaningful conversations about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

TAKING A STAND: Exploring, Expressing, and Honoring Diverse sociopolitical Perspectives Through the Creation of Multidisciplinary Performance Pieces by Susan Franklin Tanner & Marlene McCurtis

After viewing a screening of STAND!, a 12-minute filmed spoken word and movement performance piece produced by TWP artists based on writing inspired by the Take a Stand exercise done by California State Prison-LA County program participants, CETA workshop participants will learn about TWP’s theatre, movement, and writing techniques that encourage students to express their opinions and beliefs about current socio political issues in a brave, respectful, artistic space. Hands-on improvisational theatre and writing techniques that can form the basis for informal or finished theatre performances while honoring a diversity of students’ perspectives will be shared. A Q & A and links to further exercises and examples of TWP’s work with diverse populations will be provided.

PRESENTER BIOS

James Thomas Bailey is the founder and Artistic Director of CSz Los Angeles, producer of ComedySportz, the longest-running stage show in the history of Los Angeles. He is also a master teacher and certified corporate trainer, specializing in Applied Improvisation.  His clients include such powerhouses as Walt Disney, Google, ABC, Nestle, SONY Pictures, Yahoo, Hulu and Coca-Cola, among others. He is a Cultural Specialist for the U.S. State Department, and has taught at the Fulbright Center in Cyprus for the American embassy, using his techniques to foster cooperation and collaboration. Mr. Bailey runs the largest teen improvisation program in the United States, where many thousands of students have received his life-skill training. He has served as President of the California Educational Theatre Association, and is inducted into the national Educational Theatre Hall of Fame. He is the author of Teaching Improvisation: A Practical Guide for Theatre Educators. Mr. Bailey is also proud to serve as Director of Theatre and VAPA Chair for Justin-Siena High School in Napa.

Stephen Bass has over 30 years’ experience teaching improvisational theatre, clowning, and juggling, while creating new works of theatre inspired from literature or what’s going on in the student’s world. As a teaching artist, he has developed curriculum in ELD, storytelling, science theatre, and puppetry. In his 7th year as an itinerant PK – 5th grade theatre teacher for SFUSD, he has taught as a classroom teacher for 5th, 4th, 3rd and 1st grades. Stephen has performed nationally and internationally since he was 14 and continues to perform for private and corporate events with his company “All Star Stilts & Comedy”.

Rebecca Browning has been a dedicated Theater Arts Educator since 2012. Over the past 11 years, she has developed a Middle School Musical Theater Program in Northern California, transforming it from a single drama class into a comprehensive full-time elective that serves all grade levels and engages one-third of the student body. Rebecca is an active member of the California Educational Theatre Association (CETA) board. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater, a Single Subject Teaching Credential in English and Social Sciences, and brings extensive experience in professional theater, film, and radio voice-over work. Her diverse background and expertise fuel her passion for cultivating students who will become lifelong supporters of the arts and theater.

Michelle Campbell earned her BA in American Studies from UC Davis, is credentialed in English and CTE: Arts Media and Entertainment, and is National Board Certified in Early Adolescent English Language Arts. She is a Globe Education Academy Fellow and a Freddie G Fellow. She teaches Theatre Arts, Technical Theatre, Musical Theatre, Advanced Musical Theatre, and Yearbook at Katherine L. Albiani Middle School, which was named a California Exemplary Arts Education Program and a CTE Arts Media and Entertainment demonstration site. Michelle has been the festival director for Middle Stage Fest since 2019. In her “spare time,” she runs marathons!

Amy Caston has taught Theatre Arts at Smedberg Middle School for 22 years and counting. She has a BA in Theatre Arts and completed a Professional Assistantship in Scenic Design with Sacramento’s Music Circus. She is passionate about making Theatre inclusive– particularly for those with disabilities, socio-economic disadvantages, and other circumstances that may limit their access to the Theatre world. Amy loves science fiction, Shakespeare, and schriftartzufriedenheit. Last December, she earned her 4th degree black belt in taekwondo, and last August, after a 29-year hiatus, Amy returned to the stage in The Three Musketeers.

Krista Carson Elhai taught theatre for 38 years, at both Hemet and Claremont High Schools, where she directed over 300 productions in a department of over 500 students. Her productions have performed MainStage at both the CA State Thespian Festival (13 times) and the International Thespian Festival (3 times).  Serving on the CA State Thespian Board since 1993, Krista was the Educational Theatre Association’s CA State Chapter Director for eleven years before she was elected to the EdTA Governing board. She is the current President of the national board. She also serves as the CA Educational Theatre Association’s Past President and as a Trustee for the Educational Theatre Foundation. Ms Elhai is co-director of Theatre Teacher Bootcamp, an intensive workshop for theatre teachers. She is currently serving on The College Board’s Pre-AP Advisory Panel where she works on designing theatre curriculum, is field supervisor for Theatre Pre-Service teachers at CSU East Bay, and frequent workshop presenter at theatre conferences around the country. Krista has received the California Theatre Teacher of the Year, EdTA’s Volunteer of the Year Award and President’s Award and has been inducted in both the California State Thespian and Educational Theatre National Hall of Fame

Dr. Lisa Edsall Giglio (MFA, EdD) is an Integrated Education Specialist focusing on the Arts as Essential for Creating Engaging Student-Centered experiences steeped in social justice (SJ) and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Her work has two major components. One is providing professional learning for Teachers, Administrators, and Teaching Artists to expand curriculum integration thinking and experiences. The second is Arts Strategic Planning with arts organizations and with school districts. Both address building bridges with people and between organizational missions pulling from Lisa’s studies and decades of work in performance making and as an educator.

Dr. Eric Engdahl (MFA, PhD) teaches theatre and visual arts methods. He launched the first dance and theatre credential programs at CSUEB. He served on the Advisory Committee for the California Arts Standards and as Co-Chair for the California Arts Framework. Currently, he is working on issues related to the rollout of Proposition 28 through his consulting company, Creative Learning Specialists. He co-authored a report for The Residency Lab on VAPA workforce needs and continues to partner with organizations and districts throughout California and has presented at conferences throughout the country.

Dominique Enriquez (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Arts Education Alliance of the Bay Area – overseeing coalition building and advocacy efforts to build a more just and creative Bay Area. Prior to joining AEA, Dominique has worked as an artist, educator and cultural strategist in various leadership positions across all five regions of the Bay Area including the Richmond Art Center in Richmond, Headlands Center for the Arts in Marin, and Leap Arts in Education in San Francisco.  Dominique has over 20 years of experience working with learners of all ages exploring the intrinsic value of creative practice in our everyday lives.

Kyle Holmes is an educator, playwright and co-founder of Uproar Theatrics. He spent a decade as a high school theatre director, where he co-authored the California K-12 Standards for Theatre Arts. He currently works with school districts receiving Title I funding to create equitable opportunities in California schools. His musical, Ranked, has been licensed by over 100 schools across the globe and is the subject of the HBO documentary “My So-Called High School Rank.” He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, ASCAP, and a proud alum of artEquity’s first National Board Training cohort. @kylepholmes/kpholmes.com

Jackie Kiikvee is a Sacramento-based educator. She holds her undergraduate degree in Theatre from UCLA, and she also holds her multiple subject teaching credential and MA in Education from UC Davis. As an elementary teacher, Jackie became LETRS-certified and focused on early literacy. After obtaining her single subject theatre credential, she moved from elementary to middle school. She has firsthand teaching experience will all grades K-8 (except for 4th). Her research centers on using Shakespeare and science of reading strategies to make the text accessible to all learners while opening discussions on social justice issues.

Shaun Klaseus has a Bachelors degree in Directing Theatre and a Master in Curriculum and Assessment, as well as 18 years of teaching experience. At different points in my career, I have taught K – 12, Film, Fine Art, English, but always Theatre. I have directed over 70 productions. As a Department Chair and Lead Teacher I have supported other teachers in developing their practices. The greatest privilege in my life getting to create a space where students feel seen, build community, develop confidence, and laugh, a lot.

Adelaide Kuehn is Program Director at Create CA, a statewide organization that advocates for arts education in California K-12 public schools. She oversees all local advocacy efforts at the organization, including a statewide network of grassroots coalitions, a leadership training program for 9-12th graders and resource development for strategic arts education planning.

Lucia Lopes-Oliver Mrs. Lopes-Oliver has a lifelong passion for theatre. She has a vast understanding of theatre history and extensive knowledge of acting techniques. She attended the School of Music and Performing Arts (ESMAE), a national and international school for higher education in Portugal where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. Her professional experience includes providing acting lessons and various media credits including movies, music videos, live theatre, and television. She was nominated for Best Actress from the Kennedy Center for the play “Death and the Maiden” in 2015. She is a current member of Little Fish Theatre in San Pedro, CA, and won a full scholarship to learn the Meisner Technique at Actors Workout Studio. Mrs. Lopes-Oliver was also one of the first teachers in California to receive a recent Theatre credential since its re-offering after 40 years. Her technical skills include directing, producing, stage managing, lights, sound, and tech support. Mrs. Lopes-Oliver comes to us having worked in charter schools in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and Anaheim with over 10 years of teaching experience. She is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish and knows conversational French.

Marlene McCurtis is a creative writer, teaching artist, and filmmaker who has directed for The Discovery Channel, A & E, NatGEO, and PBS. Her film “Here to Stay” was featured on the Field of Vision web platform and screened at film festivals. “Moving Forward”, a short about TheatreWorkers Project’s (TWP) work in the reentry community was screened at Mt. Saint Mary’s University and the Pembroke Taparelli International Film Fest. Marlene most recently directed TWP’s “The Circle” and “STAND!”, written and performed by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men. She is in post-production on “Wednesdays in Mississippi”, a feature-length documentary about an interracial alliance between women during the Civil Rights movement. As TWP’s documentarian, she has directed filmed versions of performances at CSP-LAC and TWP reentry projects. Marlene is an alum Fellow of the Firelight Media Documentary Lab, A Sundance Institute Humanities Fellow and Library of Congress/Ken Burns Award for Film recipient.   She holds MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State and is a member of the DGA.

Dr. Chris Miller is an educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area, having most recently worked as a high school teacher at De La Salle High School in Concord CA. Chris is currently enrolled in a certificate program in restorative justice and chaplaincy at Santa Clara University and recently earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology at Notre Dame de Namur University. In 2019, he graduated with a doctoral degree in education from the University of San Francisco. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in history, a California Teaching Credential, a master’s degree in education, and a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministries.

Jack Mitchell is a former theatre teacher with 22 years of experience in LAUSD. He served for 13 years as the Arts, Media, and Entertainment consultant at the California Department of Education, during which time he worked on the National Core Arts Standards for Theatre and was the theatre content supervisor for the California Arts Standards revision in 2018. Jack currently teaches Theatre Methods at CSU East Bay. He is a Board member of the AME Institute Foundation and the owner of AME Consulting, LLC.

Michael “Thrash” Ornelas His Highlight projects include Lionsgate Gears of Fear Attraction, Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town Alive, EDC’s Plur Patrol, Great Horror Campout & Twisted Metal Comic-Con experience. Director of Team Ornelas entertainment shows raising money for American Cancer Society.

Adam Michael Rose is a Los Angeles-based dialect coach and teaching artist. Adam has worked with actors from Stranger Things, Bridgerton, House of the Dragon, You, Riverdale, and LaLa Land. On stage, he’s coached productions throughout the country including Newsies, The 39 Steps, and Mary Poppins. He’s been a guest artist at state festivals nationwide for over 10 years. Adam is a certified teacher of Knight-Thompson Speechwork, a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and a member of VASTA, EdTA, CETA, AEA, and the Teaching Artist Alliance.

Quentin Sanford is President and founder of Broadway Media, an entertainment company providing licensed media resources, including Scenic Projections and Choreography Guides. As an advocate for the arts, Quentin is involved in philanthropic efforts to increase access to theatre education in underfunded communities. He travels to present at trade events and provide educational workshops for school and community theatre organizations.

Max Schafer is a renowned worldwide theater educator. He studied with the mother of improvisation, Viola Spolin and theater pioneer, Paul Sills. He authored “Viola Spolin’s Theater Games for the Classroom” CD. He is also a California Credentialed teacher and teaches adults and children at the “Ed Asner Family Center” and the “Village Arts Theatre Camp” in Valley Village, CA.

Lissa Slay is a theatremaker & educator, with a B.A. in Directing for the Theatre (CSUF), M.S. in Education (CSUF), M.F.A. in Theatre Education (MUW), and teaching credentials in primary (CSUF), secondary (UCLA), and career technical education (OCDE). Lissa currently serves as Theatre Program Director at Newport Harbor High School, and as adjunct faculty at Vanguard University, teaching Theatre Education. Lissa is a teaching artist for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and company member with the Wayward Artist Theatre Company, and runs The Happy Theatre Teacher, dedicated to creating theatre from a joyful place. Proud member: EDTA, CETA, and AEA. www.thehappytheatreteacher.com; @thehappytheatreteacher

Emily Stamets is a storyteller and teaching artist. She was a classroom Theatre Arts teacher for 10+ years, and devised over ten full-length “Hyper-theatre” productions with Rogue Artists Ensemble as a designer, playwright, and puppeteer. She studied Shakespeare performance & production with Shakespeare & Company in MA, and holds Master’s degrees in Theatre Design & Production (SOU) and School Leadership with a focus on arts-integrated inclusive education (Harvard). She is the current Chapter Director of CA Thespians, and sits on the board of the National Storytelling Network. Recent projects include directing the devised SDUSD Honor Theatre Project for the La Jolla Playhouse WOW Festival.

Susan “Susie” Franklin Tanner, Founder/Director of TheatreWorkers Project (TWP), is a documentary theatre and arts education innovator. She is the Director of TWP’s in-prison, reentry, and school residency programs and EST/LA’s Arts Education Program Manager. Susie designed/taught Theatre for Social Change at Woodbury University and created a distance collaboration with La Colmenita, the Cuban National Children’s theatre company. Workshop presentations include Arts Schools Network, Lincoln Center and ALLIES AT THE TABLE: The Role of White Theatre Artists in Multi-Ethnic Conversations, NYU. Past core member of Living Stage; B.A. in Theatre/UCR, Lifetime Community College Credential; Career Tech Ed Credential. SAG-AFTRA, AEA.

Elena Villa (MA Directing – Roosevelt University) is the Theatre Director at Citrus Valley HS in Redlands, CA, teaching a variety of theatre classes and leading a dynamic four-show mainstage season. Elena and her performing arts colleagues work jointly on two mainstage shows and two performing arts events each year. Her passion lies in working closely with colleagues to bring out the best in all performing arts students, adult staff and productions. As a mentor for new teachers and coordinator of bi-annual district theatre meetings, Elena also founded the Redlands USD middle school festival. She serves as a CA Department of Education SSP Grant Mentor, supporting multiple schools as they develop new CTE courses.