The Next-Gen Theatre Industry Forum (NGTIF) is an opportunity created by and for the next generation of theatre-makers to gain access to vital information about the development and implementation of physically, emotionally, and mentally healthier theatre education, creation, and performance practices. Developed as part of Elm Shakespeare Company’s nationally acclaimed Building a Brave New Theatre online event series and presented by the Youth of Elm Shakespeare (Y.E.S.) Advisory Council, NGTIF will share valuable knowledge with you about the pros & cons of the theatre education system and how the theatre industry is evolving. You will hear from intergenerational panels that showcase a diverse array of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.

All NGTIF events were held on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022, but if you missed it you can find the recordings below!

12:00pm EST / 9:00am PST
11:00am CST / 10:00am MST

“To BFA or Not To BFA”

The question of whether to attend a BFA/conservatory acting school or a BA university/college is complicated, and unfortunately, there is a severe lack of accessible, honest, up-to-date, and informed conversation surrounding the nuanced topic. This panel will offer the next generation of theatre-makers insight into the pros and cons of pursuing a BFA in acting, a BA in acting, or a BA in a non-theatre-related degree. You will hear firsthand from students who have recently graduated with BAs, BFAs, and MFAs from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, Brown University/Trinity Rep., Boston University’s School of Theatre, Pace University’s Actors Studio Drama School, University of Connecticut’s School of Fine Arts, and Yale University. The perspective of someone who pursued an acting career without a degree is also represented. During this webinar, panelists will also dive headfirst into a discussion about the sad reality that some theatre education programs and practices perpetuate harm towards students – especially those of marginalized identities. This panel aims to bring awareness to this issue so you can make an informed decision about your education that best serves you, your needs, and your goals. You will leave this webinar with a deeper understanding of the theatre education system and with the tools to help you navigate your education in a way that prioritizes your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Panelists include Broadway actor & American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) teacher Reynaldo Piniella (he/him); BFA BU School of Theatre & MFA Brown/Trinity Rep. Acting graduate Cloteal Lee Horne (her/she); BFA Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Musical Theatre graduate Dylan T. Jackson (he/him); current BFA UConn Acting student Carlos Fruzzetti (he/him); and BA Yale Theater Studies & English major & MFA Pace Actors Studio Drama School Acting graduate Eden Ohayon (she/her). “To BFA or Not To BFA” is moderated by Athena Brown (she/her).

Panel Duration: 1hr + 15min
ASL Interpretation and Subtitles Provided

1:30pm EST / 10:30am PST
12:30pm CST / 11:30am MST

“Holding Institutions Accountable ”

More and more theatre companies and educational institutions are issuing statements of solidarity, promising that they are doing the work to become anti-racist. But how do we, the next generation of theatre-makers, hold these institutions accountable to their words? Social justice work is intersectional, so how do we ensure that these companies and schools are investing in all aspects of justice practices, including racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, income justice, body positivity & neutrality, accessibility for disabilities, and more? Moreover, when institutions make mistakes, how do we hold them responsible for their actions? Panelists will share strategies to help young advocates like ourselves continue to unpack ingrained systems of oppression that are embedded in personal belief systems and the organizational structures of the theatre industry and education system.

Discussing their experiences holding Broadway, regional theatres, and schools such as Juilliard and Boston University’s School of Theatre accountable will be Tony award-winner, nine-time Broadway actress, and acclaimed activist Tonya Pinkins (she/her); ADA 25 Advancing Leadership Member, accessibility consultant, theatre-maker, and deaf rights advocate Richard Costes (he/him); MFA Juilliard student and activist Marion Grey (she/her); and Advancing Arts Forward & Building Our Own Tables Founder Yura Sapi (they/them). “Holding Institutions Accountable” is moderated by Ariel Mayer (all pronouns).

Panel Duration: 1hr + 15min
ASL Interpretation and Subtitles Provided

3:00pm EST / 12:00am PST
2:00pm CST / 1:00pm MST

“Investing in Healthier Theatre Practices”

Some theatre education, creation, and performance practices can cause and perpetuate physical, mental, and emotional harm and trauma. This panel is designed to give you tools to recognize, address, and stop these toxic theatre practices; our generation has the power to build a healthier way of teaching, creating, and performing theatre. Sharing their perspectives with you will be the Director of NYU’s Drama Therapy Program and Theatre & Health Lab Dr. Nisha Sajnani (she/her); theatre-maker, Trauma & Resilience Trainer, and Certified Trauma Support Specialist Bridget McCarthy (she/they); Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and intimacy director that specializes in trauma-informed theatre practices Chels Morgan (they/xe); and East Asian Medicine practitioner turned self/community care focused theatre-maker Tanuja Devi Jagernauth (she/her). “Investing in Healthier Theatre Practices” is moderated by Ariel Mayer (all pronouns).

Panel Duration: 1hr + 15min
ASL Interpretation and Subtitles Provided

4:30pm EST / 1:30pm PST
3:30pm CST / 1:30pm MST

“Exploring Fight and Intimacy Direction”

Fight and intimacy direction are two jobs that help keep actors safe physically, mentally, and emotionally. While fight direction has been a practice in theatre for decades, intimacy direction is newer and lesser-known. This panel will explore the roles fight and intimacy directors play in a rehearsal process and how they help ensure that a rehearsal is healthy and non-traumatic. The conversation will be informed by twenty-time Broadway & West End fight director & certified conflict resolution trainer David S. Leong (he/him) and intimacy director & community outreach coordinator for Intimacy Coordinators of Color Kirsten Baity (they/them). These incredible panelists will also talk about how to approach a career in these fields and how these professions might evolve as theatre education, creation, and performance practices become healthier and safer for all. “Exploring Fight and Intimacy Direction” is moderated by Ariel Mayer (all pronouns).

Panel Duration: 1hr + 15min
ASL Interpretation and Subtitles Provided

6:00pm EST / 3:00pm PST
5:00pm CST / 4:00pm MST

“Next-Gen Discussion”

After an intense day of webinars, please join the creators of NGTIF in an informal conversation about the ideas presented during the panels. You will make connections with peer theatre-makers from across the country and collaborate with them as we build a healthier theatre industry and education system that meets our needs and desires. “Next-Gen Discussion” was moderated by Ariel Mayer (all pronouns).

Discussion Duration: 1hr + 15min
ASL Interpretation and Subtitles Provided
This Event was Not Recorded to Offer Privacy to the Young Attendees

Questions?

Please contact Y.E.S. if you have a question about NGTIF or our council. To get in touch with Y.E.S., you can use our contact form blow or email us at youth@elmshakespeare.org. We are here to amplify your voice and ideas!