The Elizabeth Francis Theater Teacher Institute

July 16-19, 2008 in Shepherdstown, WV

The Elizabeth Francis Theater Teacher Institute, is a 4-day interactive program open to public school teachers and teaching artists. The program is presented by the Contemporary American Theater Festival and the Shepherd University in partnership with Appalachian Education Initiative.

Now in its fifth year, The Institute provides teachers an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of theater production with some of the leading professionals in American theater. Participants will attend workshops and seminars in the following areas: production and direction, set design, technical theater, actor training, text analysis, stage management, publicity, and classroom applications. In addition, participants will attend performances of four new American plays in rotating repertory. Participants are required to read, discuss and critique these plays as part of their participation in the Institute. At the close of the Institute, participants will be given a resource notebook to assist them in implementing what they have learned in their classrooms and theater programs.

AEI is providing the necessary funding for selected West Virginia teachers and teaching artists to attend the 2008 Elizabeth Francis Theater Teacher Institute. In addition to covering program fees, lodging and meal expenses, AEI is also covering the cost of three graduate credits through Shepherd University. A limited number of travel stipends are available. Out-of-state residents are welcome to participate in the Institute but are responsible for all program costs.

AEI is accepting applications for participants of the 2008 Elizabeth Francis Theater Teacher Institute. If you or someone you know would like to become more proficient in the direction and production of theater productions, or if you or someone you know simply wants to make use of theater concepts in the regular classroom, we encourage you to submit your application. Applications should be submitted to AEI by mail at 111 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505, by fax at 304-225-0102 or e-mail, lkaras@aeiarts.org. For additional information, please call Lou Karas, Executive Director, at 304/225-0101 or lkaras@aeiarts.org.

About The Partners:

The Appalachian Education Initiative – AEI’s mission is to promote the essential role of the arts to students’ personal development, academic performance and 21 st century workforce preparation by ensuring the availability of quality arts education in West Virginia public schools.

 The Contemporary American Theater Festival – CATF is dedicated to producing and developing new American theater. Their goal is to: sustain an artistic process of innovation and daring, tell diverse stories, and to create a profound and ever evolving relationship between the audience and the work. The centerpiece of CATF’s commitment to new work is an annual repertory festival of four new plays by American playwrights, most often premiers or second or third productions. CATF focuses on plays that deal with contemporary issues that boldly challenge and entertain audiences.

Shepherd University – Shepherd University, a fully accredited public institution of higher education founded in 1871 and located in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, offers a wide variety of distinguished degree programs and other learning opportunities to both traditional and nontraditional students. The university attracts students from the region, the nation, and beyond.