BOONE—The Department of Theatre and Dance at Appalachian State University will host “Directing for Theatre” on June 16–17 as the 2016 Appalachian Summer Theatre Education Program (AppSTEP). The program is designed for pre-service and licensed theatre teachers and 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 seminar sessions, participants can attend performances, special events and other activities.
According to Theatre Professor Gordon Hensley, coordinator of the program, AppSTEP offers a convenient and affordable opportunity for teachers to obtain professional development (PD) and continuing education units (CEU). Upon completion of the program, participants receive a certificate of participation, which may be used for CEU or PD credit with prior approval from a school’s arts education coordinator. Licensure renewal candidates must check with their local school system to determine what coursework and documentation is required before applying.
“With content delivered by theatre and education specialists, AppSTEP provides teachers with the opportunity to continue their content knowledge, pedagogy and theatre practitioner skills without interrupting their careers,” said Hensley.
The 2016 AppSTEP guest presenter is J. Daniel Herring. He directed the world premiere of “The Great Gilly Hopkins” in New York at the New Victory Theatre and received critical acclaim from both the New York Times and New York Post. Herring served as the artistic director with Stage One in Louisville, Kentucky for 20 seasons. In addition to directing six other world-premiere productions for Stage One, his credits include “Cabaret,” “Next to Normal,” “The Elephant Man” and more.
The cost of AppSTEP is $150 for ten hours of seminar instruction over a period of one-and-a-half days, with one continuing education unit (CEU) earned at the completion of the program. Hensley notes that a $50 discount is being offered to student teachers, and that low cost housing options are available during online registration.
The 2016 AppSTEP is made possible with support from the College of Fine and Applied Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance. For information and registration, call the department office at (828) 262-3028 or visit the department website at www.theatreanddance.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Theatre and Dance
The Department of Theatre and Dance is housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its mission is to provide liberal arts educational opportunities including B.A. degrees in dance studies and theatre arts. The department also values the opportunity to offer coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Vital to the support of this mission is a dynamic co-curricular production program that provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community and the region. The departmental philosophy is to support the university’s liberal arts environment through a balanced and integrated emphasis on teaching, creative activity, scholarship and service.
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Media Contact:
Gordon Hensley
828-262-7521
hensleyg@appstate.edu
J. Daniel Herring
Director J. Daniel Herring will speak at this year's AppSTEP in June