ASPIRE Arts Leadership
The field of Arts Management and Administration encompasses a broad range of talents and responsibilities. At KCACTF Region 6, we are committed to supporting students with an interest in these areas with events and opportunities that will strengthen their skills and marketability. This program is designed to cultivate a new generation of artistic and administrative leaders for the American Theater with a focus of engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and members of other groups that are consistently underrepresented in the field. This diverse national cohort of fellows assembled from all of KCACTF’s eight regions will engage in topics concerning equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism as well as leadership skills building, investigation of institutional challenges, and professional networking opportunities. Program highlights include workshop and discussions by/with current professionals working in the areas of arts administration and management.
No previous experience with arts administration necessary.
ASPIRE Region 6 2019
What is the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Fellows Program?
The KCACTF/LORT ASPIRE Arts Leadership Fellows Program is designed to cultivate a new generation of artistic and administrative leaders for the American Theater with a focus of engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and members of other groups that are consistently underrepresented in the field. This diverse national cohort of fellows assembled from all of KCACTF’s eight regions will engage in topics concerning equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism as well as leadership skills building, investigation of institutional challenges, and professional networking opportunities.
In 2023, the eight regions will join forces to present centralized ASPIRE Arts Leadership programming which will include workshops and discussions curated by all of KCACTF’s ASPIRE Regional Coordinators, National ASPIRE Chair Stefanie Sertich and the National ASPIRE team. Regional festivals will still host in-person workshops in arts leadership, but the selection process for this program to attend the KCACTF National Festival will take place through the centralized program.
Students interested in the world of arts leadership are encouraged to register for this program. Whether you hope to become an artistic leader or you are curious about how theaters operate, ASPIRE is a fantastic festival opportunity, and 2023 offers us the opportunity to connect virtually with fellow theater artists and leaders from across the country.
ASPIRE Arts Leadership Regional Festival 2024
February 26th, 2024 (Monday)
8:30-9:20 AM Welcome to ASPIRE! *All ASPIRE activities are in Room #203/4*
Introductions (Guest, Coordinator, Students); Ice breaker activity; Review the program (National & Regional), fellowship week in Washington DC during the National Festival.
9:30-10:45 AM Commercial Producing Room #201/202
This workshop will provide an overview of commercial producing – from development paths to financing to budgeting and more – with Broadway producer Miranda Gohh.
Miranda Gohh is a NY-based theatre producer. She is the Founder of Theatre Producers of Color (TPOC), an organization that supports the next generation of BIPOC producers by providing access to education, training, and mentorship and a Co-Founder of The Industry Standard Group (TISG), the first BIPOC commercial theatre investment and producing organization. Her credits include HERE LIES LOVE, KPOP, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL, MACBETH, IS THIS A ROOM, and DANA H.
(Workshop led by Miranda Gohh & RED Coordinators)
11 AM - 12:30 - Invited Production: Galatea in Auditorium
12:30 - 1:00 PM - Lunchbreak; If students need more time for lunch, you’re welcome to leave Galatea early.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Careers Panel Room #203/4
This workshop is an introduction to a variety of possible careers in the world of theatre management. A panel of guests will discuss their careers (Leandro Zaneti, Michelle Bombe - new Exec Dir of a professional summer company, Hope College MI & Jesse Jou - Texas Tech University Faculty, Directing & Acting track; Katie Hahn - Abilene Paramount Theatre Program Director, MFA Texas Tech University Performance & Pedagogy). (Workshop led by ASPIRE Coordinator who will facilitate with questions).
2 - 2:40 PM Find Your Path: Navigating a Career in Theatre
This workshop is an introduction to positions in the theatre outside of acting, directing, designing and playwriting. We all know it takes more than just the actors on stage to bring a show to life. Navigating the world of theater post-graduation can feel overwhelming, but knowing that there are multiple paths to finding your way may make it a little easier. Join us in this workshop to learn more about the many positions that exist in the theater that foster fulfilling and exciting careers! (Workshop led by VIP Guest)
2:45-3:30 PM “Mission/Vision/Values” Workshop - “Find your North Star; How Mission and Values make Theatre Happen”
Have you ever dreamed of starting your own creative project? Have you ever wondered what skills one needs to run a theatre company? The ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program aims to boost the artistic voices of the next generation of theatre professionals. In an environment consisting mostly of your peers and led by leading theatre/arts professionals, we rise by lifting each other up through immersion in contemporary and future artistic leadership inspired by the regional theatre movement. Come and join us in the room where it happens.
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM “The Creative Pitch” Workshop
Through the lens of equitable and sustainable practices, the ASPIRE Arts Leadership program is dedicated to discussing and learning what the next 50 years of American theatre will look like. That means you! As the future stewards of the American theatre, what do you think needs to change or stay the same?
Come and learn how to communicate your ideas through “The Creative Pitch”. This can include pitching a theatre company, a multi-disciplinary arts organization, a festival or a creative theatrical initiative. We will discuss who your target audience is, your position and who are your creative collaborators, where does your creative project take place and how does this creative pitch align with your leadership aspirations?
The Creative Pitch Guidelines
4:30 - 4:50 PM Creative Pitch Preparation and Day #1 Debrief
Students indicate whether they’d like to present & advance to Nationals. We create a sign-up sheet / presentation order accordingly & hold space for questions & comments
February 27th, 2024 (Tuesday)
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM RED Workshop
The Representation, Equity, and Diversity (RED) Initiative of Region 6 is committed to decolonizing the theatre in order to provide representation, equity, and diversity in the academic theatrical sphere. We strive to ensure disfranchised bodies and voices have equitable access to forums/spaces/resources we provide. Multiple perspectives will be honored and power will be redistributed to promote an engaged and accepting environment for all theatre artists. Through trainings, discussions, and supporting all KCACTF programming, RED embraces the idea that diversity in experience and perspective makes our organization stronger and more relevant and is therefore essential to our educational mission of training the future artistic leadership in American theater. How does this connect to ASPIRE Arts Leadership and what can our cohort tangibly do to move our future towards a more equitable future?
(Led by RED Co-Chairs Yesenia Garcia Herrington and Sherry Boyd)
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM Workshop #1 TBD
11:00-12 PM Workshop #2 TBD
12:00 AM - 1:00 PM Lunchbreak
1 PM - 3 PM ASPIRE Creative Pitch Presentations
3-4 PM Interview Presenting students are asked to visit with the VIP Guest for a 10-minute interview. Bring your resumes and be prepared to discuss your goals, aspirations and what it would mean to you to advance on to Nationals.
4:15 - 4:45 PM ASPIRE Debrief (lead by Coordinator & Vice Coordinator)
Where do I see Theatre in 5 Years? Exercise example
National ASPIRE Arts Leadership Cohort
One fellow from each region will be selected, based on the successful completion of the creative final presentation to a panel of selectors, to join the National ASPIRE Arts Leadership cohort in Washington, D.C. for a week-long fellowship. To be considered for the National Fellowship, full attendance and participation in the centralized program is required. All students who present will receive feedback on their work from faculty and professional theatre leaders.
Applicants for the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program are evaluated based on potential and interest to:
Create and articulate an artistic or administrative vision.
Lead and inspire others.
Collaborate with all members of a team.
Engage within the community at large.
Think outside the box and innovate.
Articulate the theatre's role and relevance in global diversity and current events.
For more information on the final presentation, click here
ASPIRE Prep Video Series.
Registration
You will only be asked to sign up; no need to prepare a resume or cover letter. You do not need to be nominated by a faculty member to participate. If you are attending the Regional Fstival in person, you will still need to register for that through your region's website.
Deadline ASAP
Questions? Contact Us
Dóri Bosnyák (Coordinator)
Divya Janardhan (Vice Coordinator)
Stefanie Sertich (National ASPIRE Chair)