First Stage hosts American Alliance for Theater & Education National Conference

First Stage is excited to host AATE’S 28th National Conference from August 5 - 9, 2015. Over 300 Theater artists, educators and leaders in the field of Theater Education will gather in Milwaukee to share expertise as they explore how theater enhances the ability of young people to empathize, achieve and create.

"We are thrilled to welcome the AATE National Conference to Milwaukee for the first time,” said Julia Magnasco, Director of Education at First Stage. “AATE is the largest professional organization of Theater educators and artists. We look forward to creating unique experiences for attendees while they’re here, and showcasing Milwaukee.”

The goal of the five-day convention is to explore the topic of “Tapping the Power of Creative Minds,” and examine the connections between the brain and theatre through an interdisciplinary series of keynote speakers, master classes and workshops. The conference will engage social cognitive neurologists and neuropsychologists in a dialogue about the relationship between both fields. In addition, educators, artists and students in the field will learn new techniques, network and be inspired to use theater to change lives. 

Keynote speakers, master classes and workshops will be held at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. In addition, the organization is hosting events at Milwaukee Youth Arts Center with excursions available to First Stage, Milwaukee Art Museum and Lake Front Brewery.

KEYNOTE TOPICS AND SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Devising Civic Practice: Theatre, Community and ChangeMichael Rohd, Artistic Director at Sojourn Theater Company and faculty member at Nothwestern University
• Resonate: How effective performance training engages the brainDr. Indre Viskontas, Professor of Science and Humanities at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• Echolalia. A window on autism in the style of clown theaterJenny McArthur, Graduate of New Zealand School of Dance, Circomedia – Circus Skills and Physical Theatre School (Bristol UK) and Michael Johnson, Assistant Professor at the University of Utah

MASTERCLASS TOPICS AND PRESENTERS INCLUDE:

• Thinking Narratively: Telling stories through multiple methodsJohnny Saldaña, Professor Emeritus from Arizona State University
• In Rehearsal – The Dynamics of DiscoveryJeff Frank, Artistic Director at First Stage; Matt Daniels, actor/movement specialist and Edwin Olvera, Choreographer 
• Taking Our Next Steps as Artists and People: Creating transformative theatre training experiences for students with autism using a research based approachJenn Adams, Academy Director at First Stage and Mary Stone, Special Education teacher
• Storytelling – A Gymnasium for Empathy; A Workout for the ImaginationRives Collins, faculty member at Northwestern University and Don Doyle,  Professor of Theatre at Arizona State University.

We'll be posting updates throughout the week! Follow hashtag #tappingthepowerofaate on Twitter for more AATE National Conference updates!

Learn more about AATE.