CONFERENCE SCHEDULE | 17
Exploring the Impact of Forum Theatre on Youth Participants Tracks : Applied Theatre , Research / Scholarship , Youth Theatre Presenters : Carley Robinson & Julia Taylor Location : Alpine 2 ( Lucerne Level ) – Swissotel Chicago
Civic Ensemble is an applied theatre company in Ithaca , NY that has been engaging our community in deep listening and dialogue , working to manifest the Beloved Community . We create theatre that centers our collective wellbeing , creates greater equity and justice in our community , and helps us to understand different perspectives and build new relationships . Civic Ensemble Artists employ numerous applied theatre methods such as Forum Theatre , Image Theatre , Theatre in Education practices , Story Circles , Devising , and commercial theatre practices through a lens of equity , community and care . Over 3 years , Civic Ensemble has produced 3 Forum Theatre plays in collaboration with local youth through a program called Youth Forum Theatre Troupe . In this process , youth participate in 12-15 weekly after school sessions and learn the tool of Forum Theatre as both Forum actors and Jokers . In this participatory session , Civic Ensemble Artists Carley Robinson and Julia Taylor will hone in on their use of Forum Theatre to impact youth belonging . Participants will be guided through sample session activities , explore what happens when young people are playing active roles in devising and presenting their Forum work , and engage in dialogue about the possibilities of evaluating impact of youth-centered Forum Theatre . The Civic Ensemble Youth Forum Theatre Troupe is a creative ensemble of young people aiming to explore and impact topics that are important to them in their community through theatre . This group builds theatre skills , builds community , and creates a piece of original Forum Theatre to be shared with an audience .
Growing Plays : Script Development with Students in Schools & Universities Track : Playwriting Presenters : John Newman , Andrew Geha , Claudia Haas & Jessica Puller Location : Bianco - 318 ( 3 rd Floor ) – Swissotel Chicago
Want to engage in growing new plays with your students but you don ' t know how ? Come and see two new play development projects being workshopped live with a playwright , teacher / director , and students . The session will include an overview of strategies for developing plays with students as well as discussion of techniques used in the workshop examples . It will also include a reflection on what projects you might want to undertake , and participants will be provided directories of plays by AATE playwrights that you could develop with your own students .
Mind Matters : New Plays and Drama-Based Curriculum to Promote Mental Wellness in Teens Tracks : Applied Theatre , College / University , High School , Professional Theatre Presenters : Elizabeth Brendel Horn & Emily Freeman Location : Alpine 1 ( Lucerne Level ) – Swissotel Chicago
The mental health needs of young people deserve attention if we hope to move towards a more just , humane society . “ Mind Matters ” provides a theatre-based , research-backed , integrative approach to helping teenagers develop mental wellness skills to live more resilient lives . By exploring fictional characters and scenarios through script analysis , active discussions , and drama-based pedagogy , youth ages 13 + are empowered to articulate needs , identify support systems , and brainstorm strategies to address mental health issues , all while maintaining a safe aesthetic distance . Join us to learn about this exciting new initiative , created through a partnership between Orlando Family Stage , University of Central Florida Theatre and Psychology programs , and YouthPLAYS . In this interactive workshop , participants will read and respond to a new play , now available in “ Pieces of Mind ,” the Mind Matters anthology published by YouthPLAYS . Following the play , participants will engage in an active demonstration of Mind Matters ’ arts integration curriculum , designed for use in the classroom or rehearsal space . Together , we ’ ll examine the power and potential of theatre to provide explicit education about mental health topics with teens .
Updated 7.17.24