June 15 - 16, 2023
REGISTRATION LINK: https://appstate.irisregistration.com/Form/23APPSTEP
AppSTEP Program Description
AppSTEP Program Description
Appalachian State University’s Summer Theatre Education Program (AppSTEP) is designed for pre-service and licensed teachers of theatre and theatre practitioners who wish to further their content knowledge in selected theatre education topics.
AppSTEP combines practical and creative elements to explore content in exciting ways and allows participants to refresh and renew their skills as theatre artists. Instructors and specialists provide stimulating and engaging small group sessions on how to DO and how to TEACH theatre. In addition to the sessions participants can attend performances, special events, and other activities.
For teachers, AppSTEP offers professional development (PD) and continuing education units (CEU) conveniently and affordably. Upon completion of the program you will receive a certificate for your hours of participation which may be used for CEU or PD credit with prior approval from your arts education coordinator. Licensure renewal candidates must check with their local school system to determine what coursework and documentation is required before applying. Step into the school year energized and prepared.
With content delivered by theatre and education specialists, AppSTEP provides you with the opportunity to continue your content knowledge, pedagogy, and theatre practitioner skills without interrupting your career. Revive, renew, and relax with a weekend in beautiful Boone, NC. There is no formal academic or college transcript credit available through this program at this time.
2023 Special Topic
A Practical Guide to Devising Theatre
Whether you are looking for a few new tools for the classroom, are curious about new structures of creating theatre, or are an experienced deviser this will be an opportunity to reflect on your own process, learn from other participants and better understand how devised theatre is reshaping the professional theatre landscape locally and globally.
Devised theatre is a process of creating a performance collaboratively. An ensemble comes together with a concept or a shared vocabulary and creates the work as a group. Frequently, the ensemble serves as production researchers, designers, and performers, rather than having more traditional set roles in a process.
This two-day workshop will offer a hands-on, practical approach to creating original theatrical work. Sessions will focus on tools for collaboration and ensemble building, ideas for how to structure and manage a devised process and mechanisms for involving non-artistic collaborators from the community in an artistic process.
About the Clinician
Eric Johnson is the Artistic Director of Honolulu Theatre for Youth. He leads an ensemble of local theatrical artists devising new work celebrating the diverse cultures and dynamic stories of Hawaii. Through his leadership since 2005 the company has collaborated with numerous local non-profits, government organizations, and cultural communities locally and internationally. Recently, the company was awarded three Emmy Awards for their television show The HIway, and this coming year they will tour two works nationally and internationally in addition to their season of seven original plays.
Prior to Honolulu, Johnson was an Artistic Associate at the Fulton Opera House and the Founding Artistic Director of Blue Shift Theatre Ensemble. His work has toured nationally and internationally winning numerous awards and recognition including a Helen Hayes Award for Anime Momotaro and a Visionary Voice Award from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. As a freelance director Johnson’s credits include La Jolla Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Center Theatre Group, Childsplay, Imagination Stage and the Kennedy Center New Visions/New Voices Festival. He is a proud alumnus of the TCG/NEA Early Career Directors Program and the Princess Grace Fellowship.