Morning News Article about WAC Arts With Education Institute

Click on the above title to get you to the Morning News Article. Richard participated in the Institute and accurately describes what it was like to be there!

I have been involved in professional Theater for Youth since grad school. When I graduated in 1995, I always knew that I wanted to be an artistic director of a professional theater for youth - like my mentor Scot Copeland of Nashville Children's Theater.
I continued to follow that path at First Stage Children's Theater in Milwaukee. Then I took a job at Seattle Children's Theater as the Director of Education Outreach. There I learned how to manage a budget, hire staff, develop curriculum and train teaching artists and classroom teachers.
When I moved to NWA 4 1/2 years ago - I brought both my loves (Theater for Youth performances and Arts in Education) with me. I see the two intertwined - each guiding the learner to other for deeper learning. This week-long workshop with Sean and Melanie filled in the missing pieces for me:
How do I help audience and learners understand the process of the art form so as to feel deeply connected to the end result - whether a theatrical performance or a "last day sharing" in an 8-week class? ...DOCUMENTATION
How can I as a teaching artist continue to bring Arts Integration (and that style of classroom learning) into a Theater Training Program?...READING/LITERACY
How can I help students and audience members reflect on their experience?...THINK/FEEL/TRANSFORM REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How can I make a more permanent commitment to the growth and development of our students at Trike?...PORTFOLIO
How can we create a theater-wide culture of cooperation and individual growth?...SEAN LAYNE'S ARTS BASED CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT TAUGHT BY ALL TEACHING ARTISTS IN DRAMATIC PLAY AND THE CONSERVATORY

Very exciting!