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Georgia Theatre Educators Conference

CENTER STAGE: Placing

Education

at the Center of the Story

August 28-29, August 28-29, 2026 2026 Georgia College Georgia College & & State State University University

Welcome!

The premier resource for Georgia’s theatre educator community

On behalf of the Georgia Educational Theatre Association and Georgia Thespians, I am thrilled to welcome you to the Georgia Theatre Educators Conference. In theatre, center stage is where the most important moments of the story are brought into view. This year, we turn that spotlight toward theatre education and the educators who make it possible. “Center Stage” reminds us that while productions, performances, and applause are important, education remains at the heart of everything we do. Through hands-on workshops, meaningful conversations, shared ideas, and connections with fellow educators from across Georgia, this conference is designed to support you as both an artist and an educator. Whether you are here to discover new strategies, find inspiration, strengthen your craft, or reconnect with colleagues who understand the work you do, we hope you leave renewed and ready for the year ahead. This conference is also an opportunity to place you at center stage. Your creativity, leadership, dedication, and willingness to continue learning make theatre education across Georgia stronger. When we invest in educators, we invest in students, programs, schools, and communities. Thank you for being here, for the countless hours you dedicate to your students, and for continuing to advocate for the importance of theatre education. Welcome to the Georgia Theatre Educators Conference 2026. Let us celebrate our craft, learn from one another, and place education at the center of the story.

Nicholas Sostillio Chapter Director Georgia Thespians & Educational Theatre Association Georgia

EDCON

Friday’s S

Regist

Russell Au

12:00-5 General

Russell Au Ordinary Days, Extraordinary Stories: How Reflective Practice

Keynote Speaker: Mary-

1:00-1:4

Crash Course Shakespeare

Sound Design: Getting Started With QLab

Finding Every Brilliant Thing through Dramaturgy

Let's Write, Playwrights!

Preparing the College Audition/Interview

Black Box - Campus Theatre

Design Lab Campus Theatre

Make-Up LabCampus Theatre

Acting Lab Campus Theatre

Birdhouse Theatre Blackbird Coffee

Jeremy Lee Cudd

Beate Czogalla

Amy Pinney

Tara Chiusano

Ryan P. Jones

2:00-3:30 PM

Bre

3:30-3:

Crash Course Shakespeare

Sound Design: Getting Started With QLab

Finding Every Brilliant Thing through Dramaturgy

Let's Write, Playwrights!

Preparing the College Audition/Interview

Black Box - Campus Theatre

Design Lab Campus Theatre

Make-Up LabCampus Theatre

Acting Lab Campus Theatre

Birdhouse Theatre Blackbird Coffee

Jeremy Lee Cudd

Beate Czogalla

Amy Pinney

Tara Chiusano

Ryan P. Jones

3:45-5:15 PM

Educato

Greene's Farmhouse Downt 116 W Han

6:00-9:

EDCON

Schedule

tration

uditorium

5:15 PM Session

uditorium

Registration Russell Auditorium 12:00-5:15 PM General Session

Russell Auditorium Helps Us Recognize the Lasting Impact of Everyday Teaching w Reflective Practice Helps Us Recognize the Lasting Impact of Everyday Teaching -Catherine Zimmerman

eynote 45 PM Speaker: Mary-Catherine Zimmerman 1:00-1:45 PM From Standards to Repurposing Preparing the Donations College Audition/Interview

Costume Shop PorterTheatre Hall Birdhouse Blackbird Coffee Cathleen O’Neal Ryan P. Jones 2:00-3:30 PM eak 2:00-3:30 PM

:45 PM

Licensing Essentials: MTI Updates and Repurposing Solutions Donations Room 228 Porter Shop Hall Costume Porter Hall John Prignano Cathleen O’Neal 2:00-3:30 PM 2:00-3:30 PM

Stage: Essential From Standards Designing Highto Tools and ReadyStage: Making the Most VisualEssential Impact Licensing Designing Highof to-Use Theatre Tools and ReadyWarm-Ups Scenery with a low Maki Essentials: MTI Visual Impact Resources You Can to-Use Theatre to no budget. Updates and Scenery with a low Implement Resources You Can Solutions to no budget. Tomorrow Implement Room 229 MaxTomorrow Noah Recital Russell Auditorium Porter228 HallHall - Porter Room Room 229 Hall Max Noah Recital Rus Porter Hall Porter Hall Hall - Porter Hall Mary-Catherine Paul McClain Phil Male Zimmerman Ma John Prignano Paul McClain Phil Male Z 2:00-3:30 PM 2:00-3:30 PM 2:00-3:30 PM 2:00-3:30 PM 2:00-3:30 PM 2:00-3:30 PM 2

Break

3:30-3:45 PM

Repurposing Preparing the Donations College Audition/Interview

Costume Shop PorterTheatre Hall Birdhouse Blackbird Coffee Cathleen O’Neal Ryan P. Jones 3:45-5:15 PM 3:45-5:15 PM or Social

Licensing Essentials: MTI Updates and Repurposing Solutions Donations Room 228 Porter Shop Hall Costume Porter Hall John Prignano Cathleen O’Neal 3:45-5:15 PM 3:45-5:15 PM

From Standards to Stage: Essential From Standards Designing Highto Tools and ReadyStage: Making the Most VisualEssential Impact Licensing Designing Highof to-Use Theatre Tools and ReadyWarm-Ups Scenery with a low Maki Essentials: MTI Visual Impact Resources You Can to-Use Theatre to no budget. Updates and Scenery with a low Implement Resources You Can Solutions to no budget. Tomorrow Implement Room 229 MaxTomorrow Noah Recital Russell Auditorium Porter228 HallHall - Porter Room Room 229 Hall Max Noah Recital Rus Porter Hall Porter Hall Hall - Porter Hall Mary-Catherine Paul McClain Phil Male Zimmerman Ma John Prignano Paul McClain Phil Male Z 3:45-5:15 PM 3:45-5:15 PM 3:45-5:15 PM 2:00-3:30 PM 3:45-5:15 PM 3:45-5:15 PM 3

Social by The Brick town - CateredEducator ncock St. ne's Farmhouse Downtown - Catered by The Brick 116 W Hancock St :00 PM 6:00pm-9:00pm

EDCON

Saturday’s

Registration

Campus The

8:30

Crash Course Shakespeare

Sound Design: Getting Started With QLab

Finding Every Brilliant Thing through Dramaturgy

Let's Write, Playwrights!

Prepari Colle Audition/I

Black Box - Campus Theatre

Design Lab Campus Theatre

Make-Up LabCampus Theatre

Acting Lab Campus Theatre

Birdhouse Blackbir

Jeremy Lee Cudd

Beate Czogalla

Amy Pinney

Tara Chiusano

Ryan P

9:00-10:30 AM

9:00-10

Bre

10:30-10 General

Russell Au

Who Gets to Belong? How Teachers Shape the Canon

Keynote Speaker: Lisan

10:45-11

Lun

GCSU T

Covered with registration. Get food downstairs then join us upstairs

11:30 AM-

Crash Course Shakespeare

Sound Design: Getting Started With QLab

Finding Every Brilliant Thing through Dramaturgy

Let's Write, Playwrights!

Prepari Colle Audition/I

Black Box - Campus Theatre

Design Lab Campus Theatre

Make-Up LabCampus Theatre

Acting Lab Campus Theatre

Birdhouse Blackbir

Jeremy Lee Cudd

Beate Czogalla

Amy Pinney

Tara Chiusano

Ryan P

1:15-2:45 PM

1:15-2:4

Bre

2:45-3:

Crash Course Shakespeare

Sound Design: Getting Started With QLab

Finding Every Brilliant Thing through Dramaturgy

Let's Write, Playwrights!

Prepari Colle Audition/I

Black Box - Campus Theatre

Design Lab Campus Theatre

Make-Up LabCampus Theatre

Acting Lab Campus Theatre

Birdhouse Blackbir

Jeremy Lee Cudd

Beate Czogalla

Amy Pinney

Tara Chiusano

Ryan P

3:00-4:30 PM

3:00-4:

5 EDCON

s Schedule

n Desk Open

eatre Lobby

0 AM

ing the ege Interview

Repurposing Donations

From Standards to Stage: Essential Tools and Readyto-Use Theatre Resources You Can Implement Tomorrow

e Theatre rd Coffee

Costume Shop Porter Hall

Room 229 Porter Hall

Max Noah Recital Hall - Porter Hall

Russell Auditorium

P. Jones

Cathleen O’Neal

Paul McClain

Phil Male

Mary-Catherine Zimmerman

0:30 AM

9:00-10:30 AM

Designing High Making the Most of Visual Impact Warm-Ups Scenery With a Low to No Budget

eak

0:45 AM Session

uditorium

n, Create Belonging, and Make Space for New Voices

nne Shaffer-Dickerson

1:30 AM

nch

The Max

s to eat and make connections! Tables will be labeled by grade level.

-12:50 PM

ing the ege Interview

Repurposing Donations

From Standards to Stage: Essential Tools and Readyto-Use Theatre Resources You Can Implement Tomorrow

e Theatre rd Coffee

Costume Shop Porter Hall

Room 229 Porter Hall

Max Noah Recital Hall - Porter Hall

Russell Auditorium

P. Jones

Cathleen O’Neal

Paul McClain

Phil Male

Lisanne ShafferDickerson

45 PM

1:15-2:45 PM

ing the ege Interview

Repurposing Donations

From Standards to Stage: Essential Tools and Readyto-Use Theatre Resources You Can Implement Tomorrow

Designing High Visual Impact Scenery With a Low to No Budget

Beyond the Monologue: Curriculum and Resources for Teaching Playwrights of Color

e Theatre rd Coffee

Costume Shop Porter Hall

Room 229 Porter Hall

Max Noah Recital Hall - Porter Hall

Russell Auditorium

P. Jones

Cathleen O’Neal

Paul McClain

Phil Male

Lisanne ShafferDickerson

:30 PM

3:00-4:30 PM

Designing High Visual Impact Scenery With a Low to No Budget

Beyond the Monologue: Curriculum and Resources for Teaching Playwrights of Color

eak

:00 PM

EDCON

Keynote Speakers Mary-Catherine Zimmerman

Georgia native Mary-Catherine’s passion for musical theatre education has been a lifelong journey, rooted in a love of storytelling and a belief in the power of the arts to inspire confidence, creativity, and connection. As a proud product of public education, she credits the dedicated teachers, mentors, and arts educators who recognized her potential, nurtured her creativity, and opened doors that helped shape the course of her life. As a middle school student attending the very first Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, she discovered iTheatrics, an experience that further inspired her path as a theatre educator. Since then, she has dedicated herself to creating meaningful theatrical experiences for students of all ages, working in children’s theatre, public schools, and arts administration. No matter the setting, her mission has remained the same: to make the world a better place, one musical at a time. After more than 20 years collaborating with iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Festival, Mary-Catherine officially joined the organization as Director of Education. In this role, she leads national and international educational initiatives, partners with organizations including the Shubert Foundation/NYC Department of Education and JumpStart Theatre, develops and adapts Broadway Junior and Young Actors Edition titles, and oversees curriculum development for Broadway Junior ShowKit productions. She also directs and choreographs for the iTheatrics Academy, produces the iTheatrics Annual Professional Development Weekend, and authors Broadway Study Guides for productions including & Juliet, Water for Elephants, Back to the Future: The Musical, Buena Vista Social Club, and Hell’s Kitchen. Before joining iTheatrics, Mary-Catherine built a diverse career in theatre education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education from Troy University, where she helped found Summer Spotlight, an arts program that continues to serve students today. She taught at Lexington Children’s Theatre before joining the Muscogee County School District, where she developed district-wide curriculum and directed the theatre program at Blackmon Road Middle School, earning recognition as New Teacher of the Year. Her passion for arts education then brought her to New York City, where she served as Education Director for Manhattan Youth, overseeing theatre programming in middle schools across Manhattan, including the Professional Performing Arts School and The Anderson School, while earning a Master of Education in Theatre Education from Columbus State University. Throughout every stage of her career, Mary-Catherine has remained committed to empowering students, educators, and communities through the transformative power of musical theatre.

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Lisanne Shaffer-Dickerson

Lisanne Shaffer-Dickerson currently serves as the Executive Vice-President of Learning and Innovation at the Educational Theatre Association. She worked for more than a decade as a theatre teacher in the New York City public school system, where she helped to build a thriving theatre program at Brooklyn High School of the Arts. Following her work in public education, she served as an Assistant Professor of Educational Theatre and Theatre for Young Audiences at East Carolina University and as an adjunct professor in the Educational Theatre graduate program at the City College of New York, where she prepared the next generation of theatre educators. In addition to her teaching and faculty work, Lisanne served as a fellow from 2021-2023 for the Apollo Theatre’s brand-new Apollo Stories program, where she helped launch a national curriculum for high school teachers. She also worked with the Office of Arts and Special Projects in the New York City public school system as a professional development facilitator. She has taught Speech and Communication at City College of New York’s Center for Worker Education, worked at Camp Wicosuta as a drama director, Town Hall as a teaching artist, and as a touring children’s theatre actress with Virginia Repertory Theater (formerly Theater IV). In 2020, Lisanne was awarded the Excellence in Arts Education award given by the Arthur Miller Foundation. Lisanne received her MFA in Theatre with a concentration in Playwriting and Directing in 2026 from Randolph College; her MS in Educational Theatre in 2014 from The City College of New York; and her BFA in Musical Theatre in 2003 from East Carolina University.

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Upcoming Events 12 SEP

HIGH SCHOOL LEADCON 1

27 SEP 9 JAN

HIGH SCHOOL LEADCON 2

4-6 FEB 20 FEB

THESCON REGISTRATION OPENS

HIGH SCHOOL THESCON

JUNIOR THESCON

juniors.gathespians.org

| gathespians.org

There’s FANT ASTIC for

everyo

learn more at www.mtishows.com

Workshops and Presenters Beyond the Monologue: Curriculum and Resources for Teaching Playwrights of Color

Curriculum, Dramaturgy This interactive session will explore the Educational Theatre Association’s (EdTA) reimagined Learning Center, including the strategic restructuring and rebranding process that centered accessibility, educator engagement, and culturally responsive resources. Presenters will highlight the organization’s commitment to expanding representation in theatre education through the Playwrights of Color initiative, a multi-layered effort designed to increase access to diverse theatrical works for middle and high school students. Participants will learn how EdTA collaborated with licensing companies to expand the range of playwrights of color represented on the Thespys competition pre-approved list, ensuring students have greater opportunities to select material that reflects a wider range of voices and lived experiences. The session will also introduce the accompanying Playwrights of Color curriculum project, which commissions theatre educators and curriculum writers to develop five-lesson instructional units rooted in these plays. Attendees will engage directly with activities from the Pipeline, by Dominique Morisseau, unit plan available on EdTA’s Learning Center, exploring the play’s world, themes, and characters through discussion and scene work. This hands-on session will provide educators with practical strategies for meaningful engagement with contemporary plays while modeling how curriculum and performance opportunities can work together to foster deeper student connection, representation, and artistic exploration. Presenter - Lisanne Shaffer-Dickerson (See Keynote Presenter) _____________________________________________________________

Crash Course Shakespeare

Acting A crash course introduction to some of the mechanics and demands of Shakespeare’s text with a focus on Clarity, Specificity, and Present Tense expression. Presenter - Jeremy Lee Cudd is an actor, director, and musician. He has taught in a variety of formats and forums for over 25 years. He has been the Assistant Professor of Performance in the Theatre and Dance department at Georgia College and State University for the past four years. Previously, he taught in the Theatre and Dance department at the University of Texas at Austin for eleven years. He holds an MFA in Performance from Penn State University and is a proud member of AEA.

EDCON

Workshops and Presenters Designing High Visual Impact Scenery with a Low to No Budget

Scenery Learn how to approach scenic design from a more practical lens. Think outside the doors and windows and walls and learn to create visually stunning worlds for your shows with little to no budget. Learn tools and techniques to make your next show stunning and under budget! Presenter - Phil Male received his MFA in Scenic Design from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004. He has worked professionally as a props carpenter, scenic carpenter, charge artist, technical director, scenic designer, and production manager. In 2012 he won the Suzi Bass Award for Best Scenic Design of a musical for his work on Les Miserables. Since Fall of 2024, he has served as the Assistant Professor of Scenic Design at Georgia College & State University where he teaches Stagecraft, Scenic Design, Scenic Painting, and Theatre Props and Design. _____________________________________________________________

Finding Every Brilliant Thing through Dramaturgy

Directing and Dramaturgy Doing the research for a production can be overwhelming. Having a practical plan can help. In this workshop we’ll look at the responsibilities of a dramaturg – from lobby displays to community outreach to glossaries – all in an effort to identify and articulate “the most important thing” the production team needs to know before they dive in. We’ll also explore some fun ways to introduce students to dramaturgy. Presenter - Dr. Amy Pinney, now in her twentieth year at Georgia College, is an Associate Professor of Theatre. A director and dramaturg, she received her M.A. in Theatre from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and her Ph.D. in Performance Studies from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Amy is deeply thankful for the opportunity to work with the incredibly talented theatre artists with whom she spends each day.

EDCON

From Standards to Stage: Essential Tools and Ready-to-Use Theatre Resources You Can Implement Tomorrow

Curriculum Planning This is a practical, classroom-focused session designed for theatre teachers who want strategies and materials they can use immediately with students. This workshop focuses on what teachers can actually do tomorrow: how to find highquality, standards-aligned lesson plans, how to adapt existing resources to fit their classes, and how to quickly connect theatre instruction to literacy, performance, and real-world careers. Participants will explore ready-to-use classroom materials, examples of theatre activities tied to state standards, and simple ways to bring in real Georgia artists and industry connections to make learning more relevant for students. Teachers will also see how to access ongoing support, collaborate with other theatre educators across the state, and continue building their own lesson resources without starting from scratch. Presenter - Paul McClain serves as a Fine Arts Program Specialist with the Georgia Department of Education, where he develops discipline-specific professional learning and leads the creation of instructional resources for Georgia educators. Before this role, he served as a high school theatre program director in Fulton County. In addition to his work in education, he works in Georgia’s creative industries, including theatre, film, and voiceover. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatrical Performance from the University of Florida. _____________________________________________________________

Let’s Write, Playwrights!

Playwriting Participants will learn the nuts and bolts of playwriting through engaging writing exercises and practical application in the classroom. We will learn methods of crosscollaboration with other subjects to bring new student work to your audiences. Bring a laptop or a notebook for writing. Presenter - Tara Chiusano recently spearheaded the first-ever 10-Minute Play Workshop in Milly, which culminated in a public reading of all the plays. Tara’s short plays and monologues have been showcased in Atlanta, GA and Bloomington, IN. During the fall of 2022, she taught playwriting at the University Tennessee at Martin and kicked off a 10-minute play festival. Tara received her MFA in Classical Acting from The Academy for Classical Acting at George Washington University with The Shakespeare Theatre.

EDCON

Workshops and Presenters Licensing Essentials: MTI Updates and Solutions

Licensing Join the team from Music Theatre International as we tackle the pressing issues facing the musical theatre community today. We’ll kick things off with exciting updates from MTI, including new musical titles and innovative resources designed to enhance your productions. We know that your experiences and insights are invaluable; that’s why we’ll open the floor for a lively Q&A session, allowing you to share your challenges and help shape the development of future MTI products and services. From funding and choosing the right show to casting and selling tickets, we’re here to listen and provide practical solutions to your concerns. Stick around for the RehearScore Challenge for a chance to win cool prizes, including a Free Standard Rental Certificate for your next MTI show. Presenter - J ohn Prignano has dedicated his life to advocating for educational theatre. A Montclair State College graduate in Dance/Theatre, he has performed in national tours of A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Damn Yankees, and Guys and Dolls, brought musical theatre to young audiences as “Garfield” and “Odie” with symphony orchestras, and judged national talent competitions. For nearly two decades at Music Theatre International as Senior Operations Officer, he has led global workshops, developed resources for teachers, and strengthened connections between MTI and theatre educators. His advocacy has earned him numerous honors, including the EdTA Standing Ovation Award and the FATE Outstanding Arts Advocate Award. _____________________________________________________________

Making the Most of Warm-Ups

Curriculum Planning Warm-ups are an essential part of every rehearsal and serve many purposes. Join iTheatrics Education Director Mary-Catherine Zimmerman to explore a new way of thinking about your rehearsal warm-ups. This workshop will focus on using warmups to reinforce the skills, concepts, and material students will encounter later in rehearsal, helping them make meaningful connections before they ever pick up their script. Presenter - Mary-Catherine Zimmerman (See Keynote Presenter)

EDCON

Workshops and Presenters Preparing the College Audition/Interview

Curriculum Planning, Advocacy Preparing students for college theatre auditions can be a challenging process for educators navigating a wide range of program expectations and audition requirements. This workshop will provide theatre teachers with practical strategies for helping students select material, build audition packages, prepare resumes and headshots, and develop strong interview skills. Participants will gain insight into what college faculty are looking for during auditions and admissions reviews. The session will also address common pitfalls and ways to help students present their authentic strengths. Educators will leave with resources and tools they can immediately apply in their own programs to better support students pursuing theatre in higher education. Presenter - Ryan P. Jones is a theatre educator, director, stage manager, and teaching artist serving on the faculty of Georgia College & State University. His work focuses on performance as a tool for critical thinking, civic engagement, and social change. Ryan teaches courses in theatre appreciation, musical theatre history, and theatre for social change, encouraging students to connect artistic practice with contemporary social issues. As a theatre artist, he is particularly interested in how storytelling has become central to the human experience and how theatre continues to shape the ways we understand ourselves and one another. Ryan is passionate about helping students develop both artistic skills and a deeper understanding of theatre’s role in shaping culture and community. _____________________________________________________________

Repurposing Donations

Costumes Does your school get tons of donations from parents that you just don’t know what to do with? Using creative collaboration and design hacks we will talk through different ways to use those donations for period shows, sizing alterations, and costume bases for fantasy looks! Presenter - Cathleen O’Neal works full time as Costume Supervisor for GCSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance. She received her MFA in Costume Design and Production from The University of Alabama in 2014 and has designed costumes and hair and makeup for multiple productions at GCSU and for various theatrical organizations including Out Front Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, and Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Camp. Cathleen is the director of GCSU’s summer theatre workshop in partnership with the Department of Continuing and Professional Education. She mentors GCSU students through the design process each year as well as teaches various costume courses for the department.

EDCON

Sound Design: Getting Started With QLab

Sound QLab is the industry standard for playing back sound during theatrical performances. This workshop is designed for absolute beginners who want to learn the basics for an incredibly versatile program. From making cue lists to simple fades to crossfades and other functions, this training will provide hands-on workflows for any performance. Presenter - Beate Czogalla has been teaching technical theater classes at Georgia College since 1999. Ms. Czogalla has designed internationally with credits in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean, including dance, concert and architectural lighting design, and she works as an art director for film and television as well. She is also a Solar System Ambassador for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.