Texas Educational Theatre Assoc.

March - Volume 3 - Issue 35

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

- Introducing TxETA Student Recognition

- Well Wishes for Contest

- HERC

- SummerFest

- TheatreFest Programming

- Committee Corner

- TxETA Events & Dates

- TxETA Spotlights

- Sponsors

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Hello All!

Texas Educational Theatre is alive and well this spring. From elementary musicals to secondary OAPs to ACTF to collegiate finalies, theater lights across Texas are shining bright. Each level of theatre is unique and integral to creating not only strong artists, but compassionate leaders, talented communicators, and, above all, good human beings. Each one of you is shaping our young artists and ensuring a stellar future.

In recognition of your efforts, TxETA is introducing student awards to showcase your programs and your students. We are beginning with All Region and All State Companies, as well as an All State Academic Company. The All Region and All State Companies will allow you to nominate outstanding regional and state qualifying OAP students (up to 4 per school) for public recognition. The Academic All State is open to any senior theatre student who meets the academic criteria. Each of these awards is open to theatre students whose directors are members of TxETA. Please visit the website for specific information about these awards: https://www.txeta.com/awards#AwardsofDistinction .

Springtime in Austin is a beautiful experience. With that in mind, TxETA will be hosting the State Mini Conference and the Higher Education Research Conference in May. These opportunities are designed for you to learn and grow as professionals while establishing connections with peers. We are looking forward to seeing you in Austin!

Break all the legs over the next few weeks, but remember to take time to look at the bluebonnets, even if it is as the bus is driving down the highway. Take photos of those special moments and put your feet up for a bit during spring break.

- Higher Education Research Conference -

SDPP Call for Papers DEADLINE EXTENDED!

The deadline for Scholarly Debut Papers Project has been EXTENDED! Any undergraduate or graduate student who has never presented at a conference before can submit a short (8-12 pages) paper by April 1st!

Call for Proposals!

The deadline for proposal submission to the Higher Education Research Conference is April 1st.

TxETA College/University Professional Development Award

Higher Ed Professional Development Award:
The TxETA Higher Education Section is currently accepting applications for the TxETA Higher Education Professional Development Award. The deadline for applications is April 1st.
The purpose of this award is to enable Texas-based college/university theatre educators to expand professional knowledge and experience by attending significant professional conferences such as HERC, ATHE, SETC, USITT or other conferences pertaining to the individual’s area(s) of expertise.

Scan the QR code in the graphic or click here to complete the application.
https://forms.gle/mfaZR6jS3mJzSUP79

Questions? Contact Rebecca Worley (Higher Education Section Chair) at higher.ed.chair@tetatx.com

- Summerfest 2023 -

Calling All Presenters!

Share your knowledge and creativity with others this summer at Tyler Junior College. Use the QR code or click the link below to apply to present at Summerfest.

Click here to apply!

Volunteer Sign Up

If you would like to help make magic happen and help us setup/run at TXETA Summerfest 2023 this is the form for you! Use the QR code to or use the link below to sign up.

Click here to sign up as a volunteer.

- TheatreFest 2023 -

We’re Ramping Up for TheatreFest 2023!

Hello everyone and welcome back to this segment on TheatreFest programming. As we gear up our planning for September in Galveston, we want to hear from you about what you need from TheatreFest in terms of professional development. Every year, we get more workshop proposals than we can accommodate. Hearing from members about their top priorities will help us make the best decisions for you! We’ll close responses for the following form on April 1 when we plan to launch the official workshop submission form.

Workshop Content Requests

The Programming Team is excited to make this the best convention yet. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!

Frank Chuter, Director of Programming, tf.programming@tetatx.com

Kelsey Kling, Programming Chair, tf.programming2@tetayx.com

Morganne Davies, theatrefest.programming1@tetatx.com

Cade Butler, tf.programming.butler@tetatx.com

- Committee Corner -

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Public Affairs Committee-

The Public Affairs Committee will be keeping track of bills and hearings and alert the board and broader organization as needed to protect the fine arts in our public schools. The article linked below includes a preview of The 88th Texas Legislature session and how we as theatre educators can take action.

Click the link to read the article: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G1Ld4ZP1lsstb9Ui7yniI32bxHi2ClgSLE6-uHyxDNQ/edit?usp=sharing

- TxETA Events -

State OAP Mini Conference Registration NOW OPEN!

We are very excited to announce the first annual State Mini-Conference taking place the mornings of Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6! State OAP Mini-Conference is a two-day professional development opportunity taught by leading theatre educators and directors. Workshops will include sessions on directing One Act Play and working creatively within the rules and post state production discussions.

Click here to save your spot!

Higher- Education Research Conference (HERC)-

HERC Early Bird Registration Now Open!

Higher Education Research Conference: To register, see the full Calls for Submissions, & for more information on the conference, scan the QR code or go to https://www.txeta.com/herc

Call for Papers: The deadline for proposal submission to the Higher Education Research Conference is April 1st.

Early Bird Registration Open: Registration for the Higher Education Research Conference is open! Early Bird Registration (Feb. 1-May 1) is $125

Summerfest-

Registration Now Open!

SummerFest is an intensive two-day professional development opportunity taught by Theatre Educators, Directors, Craftspeople and Guest Artists from all over this great state covering all elements of theatre education and production. In addition, participants have invaluable networking opportunities and become a part of a remarkable community. SummerFest is the original summer professional development for Texas Theatre Teachers.

Use this link to register!

- TxETA Spotlights -

Teacher Spotlight: Destyne Miller

Destyne Miller has a Master of Arts in Theatre from the University of Houston and a BA from Grambling State University in Louisiana.. In 2017, she began her work with

George Bush High School where she advanced to the UIL One-Act Play State Meet in

2017, 2018 & 2019, finishing in the 1st Runner-Up position all three years and winning the State Championship in 2022 with the Bush Theatrical Ensemble. She currently serves on the UIL Theatre Advisory Committee and serves on the Texas Thespians Educator Collective Board. She is the mother to a brilliant 12 year-old son, Jaxon.

Click here to learn more about Destyne Miller.

Teacher Spotlight: Gerald "Jerry" Murray Jr.

Jerry Murray works at Crespo Fine Arts Magnet Elementary. He is one of the founding members of The HISD Elementary School Shakespeare Festival, and for the past thirteen years has competed in the Foley Martin Luther King Oratory Speech Competition. He has been nominated for Teacher of the Year ten times and won twice

Click here to learn more about Gerald "Jerry" Murray Jr..

Administrator Spotlight: Adrian Gallardo

Adrian Gallardo has worked for nearly 17 years at Rankin High School. (9 as a teacher/director of theatre, English & speech/debate, 2 as a counselor, teacher/director of theatre & speech/debate and 6 as a principal and director of theatre). He received his bachelor’s in sociology and criminology from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 2002 while working in the universities black box. He continued to work in the theatre while continuing courses in dramatic literature and dramaturgy. He received his master’s in Educational Administration from UTPB in December of 2014. "I’ve been blessed to work with a supportive administration throughout my career, flexible and giving coworkers (a necessity in a 1A school) and the best co-directors in the world (my wife, Elidia, since 2010 and a dear friend, Tim Haynes since 2020)! Together, we have advanced several shows to the regional level, the 1A 2022 second runner-up play at the state level and the 1A 2021 state champion play." In 2016, he was awarded with the UIL Sponsor of Excellence Award.

Click here to read more about Adrian Gallardo.

Do you know someone who should receive a TxETA Spotlight? Submit their name in the form below!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczPaMokcShXD8E-hA4m2s9ZVx34ViQmcFqi6BQgRLgOmFQyA/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3uEjV8Yxm3y7Lcs4_iD-CS2sbYD9tCQYvLk8lPEqYKSj2vZYiyZ5LNnfE

- Sponsors -

TxETA would like to thank our 2022-2023 sponsors-

Our Mezzanine sponsors include Digital Theatre+, Techland Houston, Ludus, and Covenant Communications. Our Gallery sponsors include Showtime Travel Agency, Dramatic Publishing, Poetry Out Loud, Right On Cue Services, University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance, WJHW, Austin Community College Arts & Digital Media, University of Saint Thomas Drama, Texas Tech University School of Theatre & Dance, Texas A&M Corpus Christi Department of Theatre & Dance, Texas A&M University Commerce, Temple College, Panola College, and West Texas A&M University Theatre & Dance. To find out more about our sponsors, follow the links on our website.