2017 Iowa Thespian Leadership Day
Our third annual Iowa Thespian Leadership Day was held on Saturday, August 5! This year's event was hosted at the Des Moines Playhouse in Des Moines, Iowa.
The day started with a keynote address from Leon Kuehner. Students participated in workshops led by the current Iowa State Thespian Officers, and had time to work with their own troupes to brainstorm ideas for the upcoming school year based on their newly-learned leadership strategies.
Schedule of Events
9:30-10:00 AM Arrival and Registration
10:00-10:25 AM Keynote Address: “Why Do We Do What We Do?”
Leon Kuehner, Iowa Alliance for Arts Education
This keynote will discuss the motivations behind our actions. No matter if we are a teacher, a student or an arts advocate, we need to
know what inspires us to action and what gets results.
10:25-10:35 AM Break
10:40-11:15 AM Workshop Session I & Troupe Director Roundtable
11:20-11:55 AM Workshop Session II
12:00-12:50 PM Lunch & Troupe Time
12:55-1:30 PM Workshop Session III
1:40-2:15 PM Workshop Session IV
2:15-2:25 PM Break
2:30-3:05 PM Workshop Session V
3:10 PM Leadership Day Wrap-Up & Dismissal
Interested in running for State Thespian Officer? Make sure to stop by the STO table in the main hallway to get important information on the election process.
Troupe Leaders: There will be a roundtable discussion during Session I. Please join us for a discussion about many theatre-related topics.
Workshop Sessions
Students will attend each of the following workshop sessions:
“Creating Your Camp Schedule” with Brady Booth
In this workshop, you will develop your time management skills and discover some tips and tricks to keep yourself on schedule.
“Planning the Perfect Trip” with Kate Struble
This workshop will explore the difference between a dream and a goal. We will discuss individual and group goals (inside and outside of theatre) and how to reach your goals through an activity.
“Getting Your Team to the Finish Line” with Maaz Ahmed & Isobel LaCorte
Come and enjoy a workshop that will teach you how to find your best leadership qualities and how you can use them in conflict resolution situations.
“Conveying Camp Pride” with Oswaldo Ambrosio & Ali Girsch
In this workshop, you will develop your advocacy skills and learn how to promote the work that you do inside and outside of theatre.
“Telling Camp Stories” with Melanie Comer
In this workshop, learn how to form and keep connections with people you meet. Learn about the importance of making connections and where they can get you in the future. Make new friends this year at camp!
9:30-10:00 AM Arrival and Registration
10:00-10:25 AM Keynote Address: “Why Do We Do What We Do?”
Leon Kuehner, Iowa Alliance for Arts Education
This keynote will discuss the motivations behind our actions. No matter if we are a teacher, a student or an arts advocate, we need to
know what inspires us to action and what gets results.
10:25-10:35 AM Break
10:40-11:15 AM Workshop Session I & Troupe Director Roundtable
11:20-11:55 AM Workshop Session II
12:00-12:50 PM Lunch & Troupe Time
12:55-1:30 PM Workshop Session III
1:40-2:15 PM Workshop Session IV
2:15-2:25 PM Break
2:30-3:05 PM Workshop Session V
3:10 PM Leadership Day Wrap-Up & Dismissal
Interested in running for State Thespian Officer? Make sure to stop by the STO table in the main hallway to get important information on the election process.
Troupe Leaders: There will be a roundtable discussion during Session I. Please join us for a discussion about many theatre-related topics.
Workshop Sessions
Students will attend each of the following workshop sessions:
“Creating Your Camp Schedule” with Brady Booth
In this workshop, you will develop your time management skills and discover some tips and tricks to keep yourself on schedule.
“Planning the Perfect Trip” with Kate Struble
This workshop will explore the difference between a dream and a goal. We will discuss individual and group goals (inside and outside of theatre) and how to reach your goals through an activity.
“Getting Your Team to the Finish Line” with Maaz Ahmed & Isobel LaCorte
Come and enjoy a workshop that will teach you how to find your best leadership qualities and how you can use them in conflict resolution situations.
“Conveying Camp Pride” with Oswaldo Ambrosio & Ali Girsch
In this workshop, you will develop your advocacy skills and learn how to promote the work that you do inside and outside of theatre.
“Telling Camp Stories” with Melanie Comer
In this workshop, learn how to form and keep connections with people you meet. Learn about the importance of making connections and where they can get you in the future. Make new friends this year at camp!
Keynote Speaker:
Leon Kuehner
Executive Director,
Iowa Alliance for Arts Education
Leon Kuehner has been an arts educator for 43 years. He received both his bachelors and masters degree in music education from the University of Northern Iowa. He has been president of the Iowa Bandmasters Association, state chair of the American School Band Directors Association, and state chair of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education. He has served on the boards of the Iowa Music Educators Association and is a past-president of the Executive Board of the Iowa High School Music Association. He has served on the Iowa Core Curriculum Fine Arts and Professional Development Committees and is currently the Co-Administrator of the IAAE “Model of Excellence” mentorship program. In July of 2013, he became the Executive Director of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education.
He was named an “Outstanding Music Educator” for the state of Iowa in 2001. The music program at Hampton-Dumont Community School was also named the “Exemplary Music Program” for the state of Iowa for 2001. His concert bands at Hampton-Dumont were selected to play at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference six times. He was the 2003 recipient of the Karl King Distinguished Service Award for active IBA members and the 2010 recipient of the Karl King Distinguished Service Award for retired IBA members. He has also been named a “Distinguished Alumnus” of the University of Northern Iowa School of Music. In 2012, he was named the national winner of the National Federation of High School Association’s Citation for contributions to music education. In 2017, he was chosen as a member of Fine Arts Standards adoption team for the state of Iowa. He has presented workshops statewide on: Iowa Core and the Fine Arts, cross-curricular teaching, Fine Arts assessment, Fine Arts Standards & leadership.
Leon Kuehner
Executive Director,
Iowa Alliance for Arts Education
Leon Kuehner has been an arts educator for 43 years. He received both his bachelors and masters degree in music education from the University of Northern Iowa. He has been president of the Iowa Bandmasters Association, state chair of the American School Band Directors Association, and state chair of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education. He has served on the boards of the Iowa Music Educators Association and is a past-president of the Executive Board of the Iowa High School Music Association. He has served on the Iowa Core Curriculum Fine Arts and Professional Development Committees and is currently the Co-Administrator of the IAAE “Model of Excellence” mentorship program. In July of 2013, he became the Executive Director of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education.
He was named an “Outstanding Music Educator” for the state of Iowa in 2001. The music program at Hampton-Dumont Community School was also named the “Exemplary Music Program” for the state of Iowa for 2001. His concert bands at Hampton-Dumont were selected to play at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference six times. He was the 2003 recipient of the Karl King Distinguished Service Award for active IBA members and the 2010 recipient of the Karl King Distinguished Service Award for retired IBA members. He has also been named a “Distinguished Alumnus” of the University of Northern Iowa School of Music. In 2012, he was named the national winner of the National Federation of High School Association’s Citation for contributions to music education. In 2017, he was chosen as a member of Fine Arts Standards adoption team for the state of Iowa. He has presented workshops statewide on: Iowa Core and the Fine Arts, cross-curricular teaching, Fine Arts assessment, Fine Arts Standards & leadership.
