Updated 7.17.24
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE | 29
We invite participants to consider how we can disrupt the systemic power present within our own praxises and allow us to co-create more equitably with youth . We hope participants will walk away with new curiosities and perspectives on co-creating social activist theatre with young people .
Accessibility First - Creating with Inclusivity from the Beginning Tracks : Applied Theatre , Professional Theatre , Youth Theatre Presenters : Zoe Maroko , Marjorie Hillocks & Matthew McGrory Location : Bianco - 318 ( 3 rd Floor ) – Swissotel Chicago
SESSION BLOCK 8 Saturday , 2:45pm-4:00pm
Seesaw Theatre creates interactive , multisensory theatrical experiences for autistic and otherwise disabled young audiences . Each year , Seesaw presents two immersive and multisensory shows that young Chicagoland students come and see at our Evanston campus , or tours to their classroom . Seesaw also presents a multitude of sensory drama workshops to these classrooms in partnership with Marjorie ( Marjie ) Hillocks . We have been bringing these workshops to Marjie ’ s classroom for four years . Through this extended partnership , Seesaw has refined our techniques for devising with disabled young audiences in mind , and not just making pre-existing theatre accessible , but creating theatre with accessibility at the forefront of every aspect of the production . This session will begin with a brief discussion with how our rehearsal rooms typically function . Marjie will also share how her students respond to Seesaw productions , the aspects of our work that make it successful , and the specific needs of her students that are addressed through productions that place accessibility at the forefront as opposed to as an afterthought . Then , participants will have the opportunity to devise an immersive multisensory experience together , and reflect on how it was different from traditional devising . Finally , we will all participate in a guided reflection in which presenters and attendees can brainstorm how they can help better create their productions with accessibility in mind .
Creating a Space for Change through Devised Theatre Tracks : College / University , High School , Research / Scholarship , Youth Theatre Presenters : Alex Taylor & Savannah Johnson Location : Ticino - 310 ( 3 rd Floor ) – Swissotel Chicago
Want to know a creative way to empower change in your students in the classroom ? Come learn how devising a theatrical piece can help students own their work and creative expression with research , rehearsing , and performing a new student driven work . Devising a new theatrical work allows students to create something that is rooted in the change they want to see in life . This is a class for those just learning about what devising is and also those who are experienced in the art form .
Equity in Evaluation : Nurturing Artistic Growth through Antiracist Feedback Practices . Track : College / University Presenter : Nigel Semaj Location : Alpine 1 ( Lucerne Level ) – Swissotel Chicago
Considering our historical approach to providing feedback and critiques to students , this session challenges the traditional top-down structures in favor of a more student-centered approach . Taking inspiration from Felicia Rose Chavez ' s " The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop ," I have shaped an approach for offering feedback / critique in theatre classroom presentations , scenes , and projects . Centering the student doesn ' t diminish the role of the professor ; rather , it involves empowering the student to actively participate in their own learning . Drawing from bell hooks ' " Teaching to Transgress ," this approach entails granting ownership and responsibility to the student . During this session , we will explore how we approach summative and formative assessments in the theatre classroom . We ' ll also delve into identifying measurable skills and creating opportunities for students to express their preferred methods of receiving feedback and critique . By dismantling