Workshops

ITF is overflowing with opportunities to enhance your theatrical toolkit! 

One of the highlights of attending ITF is being able to hone your theatre-making skills in almost every area. Whether you’re a teacher or a student, no matter what you’re interested in learning about, there’s likely a workshop dedicated to it! From technical theatre and design to acting, singing, and dance to marketing and producing, ITF has got you covered. Explore a new aspect of the theatre industry or sharpen the skills you already have! 

Workshop Sessions & Schedule

Over the course of the week, students will have over 20 opportunities to take workshops. And with literally hundreds workshops to choose from, your schedule will fill up quickly! The ITF 2022 workshop schedule will be posted to this site in April 2022. Check back then to start exploring all your options!  

Workshop Registration 

Advance registration is not required to attend regular workshops at ITF. However, some sessions will have a set capacity, which will be noted in the workshop schedule. We recommend a timely arrival to each session in order to guarantee availability. Familiarize yourself with the workshop schedule and IU campus when you arrive, and think about which workshops you want to attend prior to arrival. It’s always good to have a few back-up options for any session in case the room is at capacity already. 

What to Bring 

Some workshops might require you to prepare in advance. For example, an acting workshop might require you to bring in a prepared monologue to work on in real time with a coach, or dance workshops might require clothing that allows freedom of movement. Check this site often as the festival approaches for a complete listing of our workshop sessions. Requirements for each workshop will be noted in each session description. 

Rigging Training for Students

If you are thinking about a career in technical theatre or are looking for some solid safety training to bring to your backstage experience at school, this workshop is not to be missed! Come learn skills that will last a lifetime in this day-long, hands-on, student-only training in counterweight rigging taught by industry professionals and internationally recognized experts on rigging. This first-ever EdTA student professional development course will set you apart and help you grow as a technician!

Students will receive training in system components, procedures, loading/unloading arbors and battens, terminations, documentation, inspections, hanging drops/drapes, working loads, ANSI standards, and hardware. Instructors include Brian Clausen (IATSE 470), Kristi Ross-Clausen (IATSE 470), Tyler DeLong (DeLong Rigging Solutions), and Dana Taylor (IATSE 102).

The workshop will take place from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 23 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, a 10-minute walk from the IU Campus. Lunch will be provided for attendees. Limit 20 students. Advance registration and additional registration fee required.

Professional Development Intensives for Teachers

EdTA’s Professional Development Intensives (PDIs) are interactive workshops where theatre educators can develop their professional skills on specific topics and advance a graduate degree or earn credit required for continuing education. Three PDI workshops will be offered during the week of ITF and are open to EdTA member educators only; additional registration fees required. College credit is available.

This year's PDIs will include:

Puppetry Playshop for Teachers and Directors
Join Aretta Baumgartner, Education Director of Atlanta’s renowned Center for Puppetry Arts, and learn how to open new doors to creativity and inclusivity through puppetry!

Helping from the Heart: Theatrical Intimacy
In this session, The University of Oklahoma's Assistant Director of Movement and Stage Combat, Kate Busselle, will help you understand the challenges encountered when attempting to stage theatrical intimacy and give you the skills necessary to stage intimacy successfully in an educational theatrical production.

Creating Brave Spaces: Developing Community Agreement & a Supportive Ensemble
Creating a community agreement is the first step to building an open and trusting culture, which allows different voices to co-exist and serves as a guideline when encountering conflicts and difficult conversations. Leo Yu-Ning Chang, Adjunct Professor and Teaching Artist at Marymount Manhattan College, will offer several tips and exercises that help teachers and leaders initiate the process of creating a BRAVE learning environment and team. 

Interested in Presenting a Workshop? 

The request for proposals has ended for EdTA's 2022 events. Please email Education Director Cory Wilkerson with any questions.