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2020 Virtual Iowa Thespian Leadership Day

Click on the link above to navigate to your session. Not sure where to go? Email iowathespians@gmail.com for assistance.

Session 7: Workshop #3 (1:00 PM - 1:45 PM)

Gold Group

Gold Group
Engaging our Communities: A Call to Advocacy
Presenters: Helen Duranleau-Brennan, EdTA & Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame
                     
Emily Tinsman, 2019/2020 Miss Iowa

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Gold Group Click Here for Workshop #3
Meeting ID: 816 0468 3017
Password: VLD2020
Description
This workshop will provide an overview of what advocacy is, and the process that should occur to create an effective advocacy program. How do we advocate for theatre education in our school, district, state and at the federal level? We will take the time to discuss the issues related to your context, and reflect together on possible advocacy solutions.

About Our Presenters

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Helen Duranleau-Brennan began her theatre directing career at John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Davenport, Iowa. In 1993, she accepted the English, Speech and Theatre position at Assumption Catholic High School in Davenport where her students became involved in Iowa Thespians, eventually performing at Iowa Thespian Festival as well as the International Thespian Festival. In 2003, Helen began as an English, Speech and Theatre teacher at Davenport North High School. During her 10 years in this position, she brought several one acts and mainstage shows to Iowa Thespians. While at Assumption and Davenport North, Helen served as an IHSSA Speech coach. She has also served as an All State Critic for that organization. Having served on the Iowa Thespian board for several years, and from 2013-2017 as the Iowa Chapter Director, Helen currently serves the board as chair for the Advocacy Committee. In this capacity, Helen attends Iowa and National Arts Advocacy Days. She worked on the steering committee for the inaugural Iowa Arts Caucus in 2015. She is also on the advisory board for the Iowa Arts Alliance. In addition, Helen is a member of the EdTA Advocacy Leadership Network.
Professionally, Helen is an educational consultant at Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency. Her responsibilities include Literacy, Arts, and Title III. She currently sits on the Iowa Fine Arts Team. Helen was inducted into the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame in 2008, and the EdTA Hall of Fame in 2018. In addition, she is on the EdTA Board of Directors.
Emily Tinsman was born and raised in the Quad Cities. She earned her degree in Music Education from Drake University in 2019. Shortly after graduation, Emily was crowned Miss Iowa 2019 and competed for the title of Miss America 2020. She is an advocate for arts education through her initiative “Americans for the Arts- Advocate, Educate, Invest”. Every year, arts programs are the first to get cut during economic declines and her initiative focuses on the preservation of arts programs in schools through advocacy, education, and investment. This fall, she will begin her teaching career at Harding Middle School in Des Moines as a 6th-8th grade music teacher. With her scholarship dollars from the Miss America Organization, she plans to pursue her Master’s in School Administration in the near future.

Blue Group

Blue Group
I Have the POWER ... We have the POWER 
Presenter: Bill Myatt, EdTA and Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Blue Group Click Here for Workshop #3
Meeting ID: 823 2922 1451
Password: VLD2020
Description
He-Man had the power, but there were rules he followed. Troupe leaders have power, but must follow rules. Examine how to establish those rules to maximize the power you wield. ​

About Our Presenter

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William Myatt began his experience in the theatre by playing Jonathan in Arsenic and Old Lace at Maquoketa High School. Since that time, he has acted in and directed numerous high school, community theatre, and professional productions. Mr. Myatt has served as a leader on both the state (Iowa Chapter Director, Iowa Chapter Board Member) and national (Educational Theatre Association President, EdTA Governing Board Member) levels and is a member of The Iowa Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame and the international Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame. He enjoys a "dramatic" life with son Zach, daughter Anna, and wife Christina.

Green Group

Green Group
Letting Others Shine
Presenter: Randy Stone, Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Green Group Click Here for Workshop #3
Meeting ID: 822 2374 0158​
Password: VLD2020
Description
Being a good leader is not about getting all the glory. It's about bringing out the best in others to grow the strongest possible troupe. In this workshop we will explore what kind of leader you are and how to encourage others to get involved.

About Our Presenter

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Randy Stone  got started in theatre playing Winthrop in a community theatre production of "The Music Man." Since then his voice has changed and not much else. OK, he did go on to receive a degree in speech and theatre from the University of Northern Iowa and teach for 35 years. He recently retired to spend more time ballooning, beekeeping, acting and napping, not necessarily in that order. Randy is honored to have been a part of Iowa Thespians for almost 30 years and was a 2007 inductee into the Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame.

Purple Group

Purple Group
Let's Throw a Party!
Presenter: Brittany Smith, Former International Thespian Officer

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Purple Group Click Here for Workshop #3
Meeting ID: ​​892 1219 9466
Password: VLD2020
Description
Leadership does not begin once one has people to lead. Instead, leadership begins with the process of recruiting and making others feel welcome enough to stay. Have you ever wondered why the same group of students tends to be consistently involved while others float in and out? The answer frequently lies in your behavior as a leader. In this workshop, led by former International Thespian Officer Brittany Smith, we will explore how your actions can encourage students to be involved in your department or how it can push them away. Join Brittany to gain a further understanding of yourself while exploring best practices to expand the reach of theatre in your school. OH- and we will have lots of fun along the way!

About Our Presenter

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Brittany Smith is currently a Senior studying Civil Engineering at the University of Missouri. She is an alum of Thespian Troupe #69, a former Iowa State Thespian Officer, and a former International Thespian Officer. During her time as an ITO, she traveled the country leading workshops, advocating for arts education, and meeting fellow Thespians. Her passion for theatre began when she performed on stage for the first time at the age of five and has continued ever since. In her post high school life, Brittany is perusing a career in Construction Management. Brittany firmly believes in the power of theatre and that the time one spends learning the arts will aid them in everything they do!

Red Group

Red Group
State Thespian Officer Roundtable
Presenters: 2020 State Thespian Officers

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Red Group Click Here for Workshop #3
Meeting ID: 828 9790 0500
Password: VLD2020
Description
The Iowa State Thespian Officers are ready to ride this leadership roller coaster with you in their roundtable discussion! Together, we're on a mission to explore all the ups, downs, and sometimes upside-downs of what it means to be a theatre leader. You will have an opportunity to share and engage in an enriching discussion on what leadership in theatre really is within our schools, troupes, and theatre departments, especially in the age of COVID-19. We are excited to hear from you what your plans are as we move forward together as a theatre community.

About Our Presenters

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The 2020 State Thespian Officers are thrilled to be with you for Iowa's first ever virtual Leadership Day! Coming from high schools all across the state, the State Thespian Officers work closely with the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board to make awesome Thespian events happen. Throughout the day, they will be leading roundtable discussions about leadership that can help you with your own theatre program. Also, if you're an STO candidate, don't forget to join us for the How to Be An Iowa STO at the end of the event. 
  • Luis Avalos, Troupe #1038 - South Tama
  • Barrett Edwards, Troupe #4274 - Grinnell
  • Erica Heiselman, Troupe #856 - Pleasant Valley
  • Maria Markus, Troupe #69 - Dubuque Senior
  • Madeline Murphy, Troupe #2761 - Davenport Assumption
  • Casey Scott, Troupe #3994 - Davenport North
  • Hannah Wilson, Troupe #542 - Bettendorf

Troupe Directors

Troupe Directors
Troupe Director Roundtable

Presenters: Iowa Thespian Board Members

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Troupe Directors: Click Here to Join the Roundtable Discussion
Meeting ID: 864 7364 0817
Password: VLD2020
Description
Troupe directors will have the opportunity to meet and share ideas with other directors from around the state. We will take a look at the upcoming school year, and how Iowa Thespians can help support what you are doing in the classroom and on the stage.
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IOWA THESPIANS
​Our mission is to honor student achievement in theatre and enrich the educational experience, to support educators by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition, and to influence public opinion and policymakers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills.
​
We are passionate about theatre education and believe all students should have access to theatre curriculum which provides critical life skills for educational and career success in the 21st century.


Questions? Contact our Chapter Director Lynn Jensen at jensenlynna@gmail.com 
  • About
    • Adult Board >
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Minutes
    • Student Board >
      • From Your STO
      • STO Newsletters
    • Membership/Troupe Information
  • Events
    • High School Festival >
      • Guest Artists
      • Contact Us
      • FilmWorks
      • ImprovWorks
      • Mainstage Performances
      • Playworks
      • Registration
      • Scholarship Auditions
      • Send A Troupe Grant
      • STO Candidates
      • Studio Theatres
      • Tech Challenge
      • Thespy Awards
    • Performance Calendar
    • Leadership Day
  • Resources
    • For Teachers
    • For Students >
      • DemocracyWorks
      • Thespys
  • Junior Thespians
    • Membership
  • Special Recognitions
    • Hall of Fame
    • Leadership >
      • Michael Peitz Leadership Award