From the President
Members,
TheatreFest is getting closer and we are feeling the excitement of our return to Galveston. Registration is underway, and we are putting the finishing touches on a schedule of programming that is full of dynamic artists and inspiring presenters.
TxETA is blessed to have such a dedicated and innovative staff to assure that everyone enjoys the best convention experience possible.
We will be celebrating “The Power of Us” this year. We have overcome significant challenges in the past year, and while the cloud of uncertainty has not completely lifted, we remain focused on us as a community of theatre artists who will continue to band together as we nurture the next generation of powerful theatre artists.
Looking forward to seeing you in Galveston!
Perry Crafton
Playfest 2021 is pleased to announce the special guest respondent this year for traditional plays is Don Zolidis. Don Zolidis is a former high school and middle school theatre teacher, and is the most-produced playwright in American schools. His more than 100 published plays have been produced more than 11,500 times, appearing in every state and 63 countries. His works include OZ and The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, and White Buffalo to name just a few.
Submissions are now being accepted for Playfest – deadline to submit scripts is September 6, 2021. Genre is either 10-minute or a traditional play (not to run more than 1 hour) and awards are given for HS student, College Student, Classroom Collaboration, Texas Educator and/or Amateur. For more information, please go to https://www.txeta.com/theatrefest, scroll down and choose Playfest Details!
The slate of Special Guests for Theatrefest 2021 continues to come into vivid focus!
In addition to Broadway legend, Jennifer Holliday, meet two more of the incredible guest artists who will be sharing their rich experience and expertise.
Tammie Ward
Originally from Dallas, Tammie’s unique career journey has resulted in over 27 years of professional arts administration and management. Currently, she is the Theatre Operations Director for The Shubert Organization. Her work on Touring and Broadway management teams includes shows such as Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Bring It On: The Musical and Beautiful-The Carole King Musical. A proud member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, she is also an Associate Member of The Broadway League, and serves on Shubert’s EDI Committee for Institutional Advancement, chairing its Education and Training subcommittee.
Mark Olsen
Mark attended High School in Houston and then earned his undergraduate theatre degree from Trinity University in San Antonio. Olsen then went on to become an Artist in Residence for the city of Dallas and then continued his movement training, working with many of the great master teachers of mime and physical acting disciplines. Olsen appeared on Broadway and toured internationally with the mime/mask ensemble, Mummenschanz. As a movement coordinator/fight director, his work has been seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in productions at leading theatres around the country. Currently Mark teaches private online classes (studywithmarkolsen.com) and continues to teach movement and stage combat at The Juilliard School in NYC.
2021 Founder's award winner Charlie Hukill's bio/vitae
Emeritus Award: Rachel Mattox
The Emeritus Award, a prestigious award, recognizes the accomplishments, achievements, and contributions of retired educators.
Theatre Administrator: Rachel Harrah
The Educator of the Year Awards recognizes and celebrates Administrators whose vision and leadership has contributed substantially to theatre education.
Higher Education: H. Russ Brown
The Higher Education Award recognize and celebrate theatre educators whose innovative approaches, exceptional achievements, and meaningful contributions have informed and inspired fellow colleagues and students resulting in the cultivation of the next generation of outstanding theatre artists and educators.
K-12 Educator of the Year (High School): Jabari Collins
The K-12 Educator of the Year Awards recognize and celebrate theatre educators whose innovative approaches, exceptional achievements, and meaningful contributions have informed and inspired fellow colleagues and students resulting in the cultivation of the next generation of outstanding theatre artists and educators.
K-12 Educator of the Year (MS/ES): Laura McNary
The K-12 Educator of the Year Awards recognize and celebrate theatre educators whose innovative approaches, exceptional achievements, and meaningful contributions have informed and inspired fellow colleagues and students resulting in the cultivation of the next generation of outstanding theatre artists and educators.
Tana Howard
Nelly Cuellar-Garcia
Marion Castleberry
Greta Peterson
Hello TxETA Members!
Dr. Jerry Ivins, Convention Director of Operations
It is time to reserve your room at Moody Gardens for your stay at TheatreFest 2021! The dates of the Convention are Wednesday, Sept. 29th, through Saturday, Oct. 2nd (the online reservation link will make rooms available for Tuesday, Sept. 28th, for those working the Convention and for Sunday, Oct. 3rd, for those that want to stay an extra day to see the Galveston sites).
The Convention will run until Saturday at around 3pm.
Moody has graciously offered us the reduced room rate of $162 plus tax!!
Some questions that you may have (and some answers):
How do I make reservations?
Click here to make hotel reservations.
All reservations must be guaranteed by a major credit card for the first night's full deposit. Any reservation cancelled after September 14, 2021 will be charged the full reservation amount. If you plan on paying by check, the Hotel must receive the check by September 14, 2021. If you do not have a check to send to the hotel, there must be a credit card on file so the hotel can authorize your stay. If not, you lose the risk of your reservation being cancelled. Call 409-683-1299 to cancel on or before September 14, 2021
Click here for the full article which contains more information
