TYA/USA Festival & Conference | May 14–17, 2020 | New Visions / New Voices | The Kennedy Center

The TYA/USA National Festival & Conference is the most significant
gathering of Theatre for Young Audiences professionals in North America.
Early bird registration is now open until January 31!

This four-day event, presented in partnership with the Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices 2020, features full performances, rehearsed readings of new works, dynamic speakers, and engaging workshops. The Festival & Conference offers artistic exchange, meaningful learning, and networking opportunities for attendees from across the country. Join us May 14-17, 2020 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Questions? Contact us at info@tyausa.org.

 

The Event

What stories are we currently staging to inspire, engage, and move our young people? What tales have yet to be told? Who has not yet been given the opportunity to share their story? What are the ways we are currently nurturing the development process, and how are we experimenting with innovative models in developing new work?

In the current Theatre for Young Audiences landscape nationally, there is much talk about new work development–how new plays get made, how to creatively invest in commissioning work, how to partner with colleagues to seed new work, and how to challenge current models of play development. The 2020 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference theme is The State of the Story, exploring the ways in which new work is developed for family audiences across the country. The programming will offer a variety of conversations investigating the commissioning trends across the industry; the need for more diverse voices and stories developed in the field; and the ways that theatres, publishers, artists, and audiences can more effectively partner to expand the canon of theatre for young audiences. The event will provide a forum for TYA artists, practitioners and leaders from across the country the rare opportunity to convene, exchange and gain much needed inspiration focused on the expansion of the TYA canon. On the heels of a galvanizing festival in Atlanta at the Alliance Theatre  last May, TYA/USA is pleased to convene the field only a year later in Washington, DC.

TYA/USA’s National Festival and Conference–featuring a showcase of TYA performances, a series of readings of new works, keynote addresses, dynamic breakout sessions, and networking opportunities–provides the national field of TYA with the artistic and educational fuel they need to do this essential work on the ground.

Our 2020 Host

For the first time in 20 years, TYA/USA partners with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC to present the TYA/USA National Festival & Conference from May 14-17, 2020.

This year’s event will be presented in conjunction with New Visions/New Voices 2020, the Kennedy Center’s new play development program focused on work for young audiences. The Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices has been a vital force in supporting new work development in our field for nearly 30 years. By bringing these two events together, we aim to make lasting and meaningful impact by catalyzing essential conversations on the future of the TYA field with over 300 leaders, artists, and practitioners. This landmark collaboration will mark the first time TYA/USA has collaborated with the Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices in 20 years. A partnership this year is particularly exciting with the opening of the Kennedy Center’s new REACH space, which is designed to break down boundaries between audience and art.

 

Registration Rates

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2020 TYA/USA FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE: NEW VISIONS/NEW VOICES. Early Bird Registration is only open until January 31, 2020. Questions? Contact us at info@tyausa.org.

 

INSTRUCTIONS: If you are not a member of TYA/USA, but you would like to register for the event, click on the link below and create an account by entering your email address. If your email address is already in the TYA/USA system, enter your email and password. If you don’t remember your password, select “Forgot Password.” 

Please note: Early bird registration is only open to TYA/USA members. If you are interested in becoming a member, learn more here.  

Level Early Bird Rate

Available to Members only
Become a Member

 Regular Rate
TYA/USA Member $295 $340
TYA/USA Student Member $175 $185
AATE/IPAY Member $390
Non-Member $410
Student – Non-Member $195
One-Day Attendee $175
  Register Register

Featured Speakers

An exciting lineup of dynamic and accomplished speakers will offer big ideas, thought-provoking questions, and challenge the TYA field to think about our work in new ways.

  • Yalda T. Uhls

    Keynote Speaker

    Presented with the generous support of the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America

    Yalda T. Uhls, MBA, PhD is an internationally recognized, award-winning research scientist, educator and author, studying how media affect young people. Her peer reviewed research has been featured in many news outlets including NPR and the NY Times. As a big believer in bridging research and practice, along with many years of translational work for lay audiences, Uhls recently founded The Center for Scholars & Storytellers, affiliated with UCLA. Uhls is also an adjunct professor at UCLA where she does research on how media affect the social behavior of tweens and teens and teaches a class on Digital Media and Human Development; she is a senior advisor for national non-profit Common Sense Media; and is the author of the parenting book Media Moms & Digital Dads: A Fact not Fear Approach to Parenting in the Digital Age. In her former career, she was a senior movie executive at MGM and Sony. Dr. Uhls knowledge of how media content is created and the science of how media affect children inform her unique perspective.

  • José Casas

    Keynote Speaker

    Presented in partnership with Dramatic Publishing.

    José Casas is a playwright and Assistant Professor who heads the Playwriting Minor in the Department of Theatre & Drama at the University of Michigan. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild as well as a Board Member of Children’s Theatre Foundation of America. He has a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a MA in Theatre Arts from California State University, Los Angeles, a MFA in Playwriting from Arizona State, two years of graduate coursework in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities (DTYC) at the University of Texas at Austin. His plays include la rosa grows beyond the wall, all brown all chingon, aDoBe, a million whispers all at once, the vine, la ofrenda and somebody’s children and Flint. His work has been included in a number of anthologies such as The Bully Plays, Ethnodrama: An Anthology of Reality Theatre, and Theatre for Youth II: More Plays With Mature Themes. His published work includes la ofrenda, 14, somebody’s children, and Palabras del Cielo: An Exploration of Latina/o Theatre for Young Audiences. His plays, la ofrenda and somebody’s children were awarded both the Bonderman National Playwriting Award and the American Alliance of Theatre and Education’s Distinguished Play Award. His most recent project is a Documentary Theatre piece titled Flint which examines the current Flint Water Crisis.

  • Mo Willems & Deborah Wicks La Puma

    Featured Artists

    Mo Willems & Deborah Wicks La Puma in Conversation.  Collaborators for over a decade, Deborah and Mo have adapted four of Willems’ award-winning books for the stage.  The most produced writing/composing team of TYA in America, their shows have been performed extensively on tour and in repertory.  Additionally, their songs have been showcased in concerts at the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall and the opening of The REACH expansion. Mo and Deborah will discuss the work method, approach, humor, and philosophy that underpins their playful collaboration.

    Photo: Publicity photo for NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED: THE ROCK EXPERIENCE! at Seattle Children’s Theatre.

Breakout Sessions

Led by TYA leaders from across the US, these participatory, experiential workshops will provide high-quality learning experiences to further the national conversation for professionals working in theatre for young audiences.  

We are now accepting proposals for Breakout Sessions at the 2020 TYA/USA Festival & Conference. The deadline to submit a proposal is November 22, 2019.

Submit a Proposal Here

TYA/USA invites proposals for sessions to be conducted at the 2020 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference in Atlanta May 14-17, 2020. The conference committee seeks participatory, experiential workshops that provide high-quality learning experiences to further the national conversation for professionals working in theatre for young audiences. Workshops should aim to accomplish more than offering a case study of a particular program or production, providing participants practical tools for their own work or posing important questions for the field to explore. The theme of this year’s conference is The State of the Story, exploring the ways in which new work is developed for family audiences across the country.

We are looking for proposals that address some or all of the following questions:

What are the ways we are currently nurturing the development process, and how are we experimenting with innovative models in developing new work?

How are theatres, artists, and other stakeholders engaging in new work development? What are the ways we can more effectively collaborate?

How are we ensuring that we tell stories that have not yet been told, and represent the diversity of our audiences on stage?

How are we helping young people tell their stories, or engage in the creative process in our work?

 

Each session should be 75 minutes in length.

Up to eight (8) sessions will be presented at the conference. Finalists will be notified in December, and may be asked to provide additional information to the conference committee. Final selections will be made by December 13, 2019. Presenters will be responsible for their own conference registration, travel, and all related expenses. Presenters will be listed on the Festival & Conference website and will be included in the program.

If you have any questions, you may email info@tyausa.org.

Performances

An exciting and diverse showcase of performances, as well as rehearsed readings of 8 new works for young audiences, will offer attendees the opportunity to experience a range of work happening in TYA across the United States, including:

  • Soul Science Lab's Soundtrack '63

    Soul Science Lab - New York, NY

    From the folk and gospel-influenced songs that reflect the sentiments of the 1963 Civil Rights Movement to the hip-hop anthems recognizing that Black Lives Matter, music has always supported and strengthened outcries for social justice. Created by the brilliant minds of Soul Science Lab, Soundtrack ’63 is a live, multimedia musical performance that traces the African American experience from before the Middle Passage to the present Black Lives Matter movement. Archival video footage, animation, and narration are combined with a live soundtrack of spirituals, protest songs, and popular music performed by an 11-piece orchestra and dynamic vocal ensemble.

  • The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus

    Metro Theater Company - St. Louis, MO

    Metro Theater Company’s The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus by Eric Coble

    When school is out, there’s nothing to do and the desert sun beats down hot. So when a walking, talking and surprisingly well-dressed coyote shows up, Sheila and her friends jump at the chance to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! Filled with magical realism and surprises at every turn, this funny story of friendship and imagination brings the desert landscape to life. A cautionary tale about our impact on the environment and the creatures who live in it, this is a storytelling tour-de-force in a new, original play. This piece was workshopped by Metro Theater Company in April 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of New Visions/New Voices 2018.

  • A Celebration of Mo Willems & Deborah Wicks La Puma

    A celebration of the music from award-winning  author and playwright Mo Willems & celebrated composer Deborah Wicks La Puma, the most produced artists across the 2019-20 season in the TYA field.

    Mo Willems & Deborah Wicks La Puma in Conversation.  Collaborators for over a decade, Deborah and Mo have adapted four of Willems’ award-winning books for the stage.  The most produced writing/composing team of TYA in America, their shows have been performed extensively on tour and in repertory.  Additionally, their songs have been showcased in concerts at the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall and the opening of The REACH expansion. Mo and Deborah will discuss the work method, approach, humor, and philosophy that underpins their playful collaboration.

  • PigPen Theatre Co. in Concert

    A concert from PigPen Theatre Co. featuring music from their acclaimed theatre productions.

    PigPen Theatre Co. began creating their unique brand of theatre, music, and film as freshmen at the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in 2007. They have since produced their original plays in New York City and toured the country – earning them critic’s picks from The New York Times, Time Out New York, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Boston Globe, and many more, ranking them in the top ten theatrical events of 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016. They were the first group to win the NYC Fringe Festival’s top honor for a play two years in a row (2010/11) and have gone on to win IRNE (2012, 2015) and Jeff Awards (2014) for their theatrical productions. In 2016, Sir Trevor Nunn invited PigPen to be a part of his first American acting company for a production of Shakespeare’s “Pericles”. PigPen’s debut album, “Bremen”, was named #10 album of the year in The Huffington Post’s 2012 Grammy preview sending PigPen on tour playing to sold-out crowds across the country. American Songwriter premiered their follow-up EP, “The Way I’m Running”, in 2013 while the band was playing a series of concerts that became one of the most popular residencies of the past decade at the legendary Schuba’s Tavern in Chicago. In 2015, PigPen released their sophomore album, “Whole Sun”, performed at Mumford & Sons’ return to the Gentlemen of the Road Festival, and made their feature film debut in Jonathan Demme’s “Ricki and the Flash” starring Meryl Streep. In 2018, PigPen announced that they are creating two stage musicals based on beloved novels: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (in partnership with Universal Theatrical Group) and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (in collaboration with Rick Elice). In 2020, they will premiere their first interactive theatrical experience, “The Phantom Folktales”, for Richard Branson’s groundbreaking cruise line, Virgin Voyages.

  • New Victory LabWorks

    The New Victory Theater (New York, NY)

    A presentation of works-in-progress and conversation with  New Victory LabWorks, the leading new work development program supporting NYC artists in the creation of innovative and multi-disciplinary work for young audiences.

    New Victory LabWorks, the new work development program of New Victory Theater, supports artists in the creation of innovative, adventurous new work for young audiences made in the U.S. By supporting New York artists and connecting them with NYC kids as well as the nonprofit theater’s international community of arts professionals, New Victory LabWorks invites artists to hone their craft, expand their skills, make contacts in the field, take artistic risks and make bold choices with their work. New Victory LabWorks has helped develop over 55 projects on their journey to the stage, more than half of which have gone on to become full productions touring across the country and around the world, expanding the canon of American family performing arts.

  • The Boy Who Kissed the Sky

    Seattle Children’s Theatre (Seattle, WA)

    A Rehearsed Reading presented by New Visions/New Voices 2020.

    The Boy Who Kissed the Sky by Idris Goodwin, directed by Tim Bond—Seattle Children’s Theatre; Seattle, WA

    This highly theatrical play by Idris Goodwin amplifies the extraordinary young life of Jimi Hendrix, one of the most influential artists of all time. Shaped by his Seattle community, young Jimi conjures creativity in the most surprising of places. Directed by Tim Bond, this story told through music, daring imagination, and a smattering of science fiction, asks us to dream louder when it matters most.

  • Farewell Opportunity

    Filament Theatre (Chicago, IL)

    A Rehearsed Reading presented by New Visions/New Voices 2020.

    Farewell Opportunity by Georgette Kelly, directed by Julie Ritchey—Filament Theatre; Chicago, IL

    In June 2018, Halley visits the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and meets the Opportunity Mars rover. The two have something in common: a curious spirit and a shortened life-expectancy. Halley and the NASA scientist in charge of the Mars mission find themselves transformed by an unlikely friendship—with each other, and with a rolling robot millions of miles away. With poetic language and magical realism, playwright Georgette Kelly explores the question “How do you keep on roving when you—or someone you love—faces a dust storm that threatens to block out the sun?” Directed by Julie Ritchey, Farewell Opportunity is being developed in partnership with staff and families at the Crescent Cove Respite and Hospice Center for Kids.

  • Only One Day a Year

    The Coterie Theatre (Kansas City, MO)

    A Rehearsed Reading presented by New Visions/New Voices 2020.

    Only One Day a Year by Michelle Tyrene Johnson, directed by Nedra Dixon—The Coterie Theatre; Kansas City, MO

    During the Jim Crow-era of racial segregation, it was perfectly legal for Kansas City, Missouri’s most popular amusement park to limit admission to black patrons to only one day a year. In this play, we see teenage Rose James, in the early 1960s, use smarts, determination, and a little bit of magic to try to defeat this policy, plus fight to grant her little brother’s wish of getting to ride the Fairyland Park rollercoaster on his actual birthday. In contemporary times, we see Rose’s teenage granddaughter Ella use her spirited nature, talent, and inherited magic to stand up to bullies at the school administration level. Written by Michelle Tyrene Johnson and directed by Nedra Dixon, the play offers the invitation to see how, regardless of time or outcome, discrimination can be battled by tapping into love, a sense of empowerment, and actual black girl magic.

  • Selena Maria Sings

    Childsplay (Tempe, AZ)

    A Rehearsed Reading presented by New Visions/New Voices 2020.

    Selena Maria Sings by Miriam Gonzales with music by Daniel French, directed by Melissa Crespo—Childsplay; Tempe, AZ

    Selena Maria is a 14-year-old indie songwriter. With a unique style and a sophisticated fusion of sounds, she composes music on her laptop wherever and whenever she finds inspiration. But Selena Maria lives in the shadow of a big legacy: her namesake and her mother’s favorite superstar Tejana singer, Selena Quintanilla. When tragedy strikes her family, taking away the one person who truly appreciates her musical voice, Selena Maria must learn to navigate a new town, a newly evolving relationship with her grief-stricken mother, and a new and rising fear: what if her true self isn’t enough? Written by Miriam Gonzales with original music by Daniel French and directed by Melissa Crespo, this vibrant and deeply moving play takes us on a journey of loss, perseverance, and love.

  • this is what I chose no I'm not sorry and yes if you'd ask I'd do it again

    Jackalope Theatre Company

    A Rehearsed Reading presented by New Visions/New Voices 2020.

    this is what I chose no I’m not sorry and yes if you’d ask I’d do it again by Daria Miyeko Marinelli, directed by Will  Kiley—Jackalope Theatre Company; Chicago, IL

    Even after William’s death, high school life has trudged on. But when Sara starts planning an “Alive Together” assembly to honor William, his sister Vivian finally takes a stand and ask/demands Sara to cancel the event. Does it matter that William and Sara were “a thing” or that Sara may also use the event on her college applications? With the piece’s narrative changing based on the audience’s choices, Will Kiley directs Daria Miyeko Marinelli’s modular play which explores: who has ownership over a tragedy? And what course of action is best in the aftermath?

  • United We Shout: Queer Youth Revolution!

    Project Pride Players

    A Rehearsed Reading presented by New Visions/New Voices 2020.

    Project Pride Players’ United We Shout: Queer Youth Revolution!, a collaboration between queer youth theater troupes in Omaha, NE and Kansas City, MO, directed by Brian Guehring/Carina DuMarce (Omaha) and Amanda Kibler/Aniseto Herrera (Kansas City)

    This Project Pride and Pride Players joint production is a collaboration between queer youth theater troupes in Omaha, NE and Kansas City, MO. Both troupes give voice to their LGBTQ and straight allied teens by creating annual shows through improv, dance, poetry, and visual art in order to open lines of communication between races, genders, and generations. This brand-new production, directed by Brian Guehring/Carina DuMarce (Omaha) and Amanda Kibler/Aniseto Herrera (Kansas City) will interweave a mash-up of scenes from the shows created by each company and will be performed by teens from both troupes. United We Shout will reflect the activism, diversity, humor, intelligence, and empathy that these inspiring young people hope to see in the world.

  • What Do You Do With An Idea, the Musical

    Bay Area Children’s Theatre (Oakland, CA)

    A Rehearsed Reading presented by New Visions/New Voices 2020.

    What Do You Do With An Idea, the Musical with book and lyrics by Adam Tobin and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma, directed by Nina Meehan, and adapted from the book by Kobi Yamada—Bay Area Children’s Theatre; Oakland, CA

    Yumi is BORED. The kind of bored where everything loses its color, that just lasts forever….UNTIL…an idea pops into Yumi’s life. At first Yumi doesn’t know what to do with Idea. Yumi tries to hide Idea in the forest. Yumi takes Idea home and feeds it. Idea grows. But, the World Famous Critic has nothing nice to say about Idea. And Yumi is convinced that maybe Critic is correct and his idea isn’t any good. But through the power of play and imagination, Yumi and Idea find their voices and grow in ways they could never have imagined. With book and lyrics by Adam Tobin, music by Deborah Wicks La Puma, and direction by Nina Meehan, this musical adaptation of the book by Kobi Yamada will delight dreamers and skeptics alike.

  • Ineż Was Perf(ect)

    The Translation Project

    A Rehearsed Reading presented by New Visions/New Voices 2020.

    Ineż Was Perf(ect) by Simone Spiteri of Marsaxlokk, Malta

    INEŻ KIENET PERF(ETTA) [INEŻ WAS PERF(ECT)]
    The Translation Project, Malta

    Ineż is fourteen. A Perf … short for “perfect”: the ultimate label to aspire to. If you’re fourteen, that is. Ineż is popular, beautiful, sassy, rebellious, a saint, a social media queen.

    Ineż goes missing.

    Everyone in her small community becomes judge and jury. And while she certainly wasn’t perfect … everyone wanted her to be, in one way or another, their own definition of perfection. Written by Simone Spiteri and directed by Karin Serres, the play asks: what happens when being nothing but perfect is the only option and expectation?

Schedule

Plan your trip and explore the range of programming that will be offered May 14-17, 2020 at the 2020 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference. (Programming specifics and timing subject to change).

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Planning Your Trip

Information on hotels near The Kennedy Center can be found below.

 

Hotels

Group rates are available at two local hotels. These are the most competitive rates we have found for May 2020 in DC. While the hotels aren’t within walking distance, one is near public transportation and a shuttle will be provided from the other.

If you are interested in more hotel options within walking distance, or Airbnb recommendations in the Georgetown/Foggy Bottom area, contact info@tyausa.org.

Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge      $219/night    (Group Code NV0)

We will have a shuttle run to and from the Holiday Inn for attendees.

Capitol Skyline Hotel         $215/night 

Attendees can travel via metro/ Foggy Bottom-GW Station (Blue & Orange) to the Capitol South Station (Silver). Travel time is less than half an hour.

The River Inn     (Closest option / No group rate)

Our 2020 Sponsors

We thank our generous sponsors for their support of the 2020 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the TYA/USA National Festival & Conference? Find more information and opportunities HERE.

  • 4 Days
  • 300+ Attendees
  • 13 Performances