Incite/Insight Spring-Summer 2019 Incite_Insight—Spring_Summer 2019 Final | Page 9

The Alliance’s Toddler Takeover | Photo Courtesy of The Alliance Theatre
The Toddler Takeover has become an annual festival of
international TVY work—can you talk about the benefits
of an international approach?
As I mentioned, most models for TVY come from the
international children’s theatre scene. For instance, Tim
Webb’s Oily Cart company in England has been a great
inspiration for me, as well as work from Australia and Asia.
Therefore, an international component makes sense.
How can more League of Regional Theatre (LORT)
institutions incorporate TVY effectively?
The Alliance was uniquely positioned to accept TVY
because of its commitment to Theatre for Youth from its
very beginnings and support from Artistic Director, Susan
V. Booth. Perhaps a LORT model which includes Theatre
for Youth and Families (including TVY) may become more
appealing to theaters interested in expanding their reach.
There are many passionate theatre-makers, including
myself, who would be happy to help advocate for—and
build—TVY programming elsewhere.
Were there any struggles in convincing your team and
your audiences that TVY was worthwhile?
My advice is to find brilliant like-minds. They will
inspire others. I have four amazing allies in the Alliance
organization without whom the success of the TVY
Program would not be possible. One is Chris Moses,
Alliance Director of Education and Artistic Associate, who
has advocated for TYA on every level and is constantly on
the lookout for ways to ensure its continuance. Another
is Olivia Aston Bosworth, Alliance Family Programs
Manager. She is an organizational genius and dedicated
to the creative well-being of young children. Toddler
Takeover was actually their idea. Finally, two incredible
Alliance board members, Kathy and Ken Bernhardt,
have generously donated to Theatre for the Very Young
because of their lifelong commitment to both theatre and
education.
What’s next for you as an educator, artist, and theatre
leader?
I am back at the Alliance next year to direct A Christmas
Carol one last time and also to direct a new TVY piece
based on a picture book by Pearl Cleage and Zaron
Burnett Jr. called In My Granny’s Garden. I am also
directing a new musical, Hans Christian Anderson by
Tim McDonald with music by Frank Loesser at Nashville
Children’s Theatre. Education-wise, I am teaching a class
in devising and also directing a new TYA musical with
Amanda Morgan based on the story of Thumbelina at
Kennesaw State University.
Alex Ates is a member of AATE’s Board of Directors and is
managing editor of this publication.
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