Appalachian hosts Summer Theatre Education Program June 16–17

View larger image — Guest presenter at the 2016 AppSTEP is J. Daniel Herring, who directed the world premiere of “The Great Gilly Hopkins” in New York at the New Victory Theatre and has received critical acclaim from both the New York Times and New York Post. His credits also include “Cabaret,” “Next to Normal,” “The Elephant Man” and more.

Posted May 11, 2016 at 1:10 p.m.

BOONE—The Department of Theatre and Dance at Appalachian State University will host “Directing for Theatre” on June 16–17 as the 2016 Appalachian Summer Theatre Education Program (AppSTEP). The program is designed for pre-service and licensed theatre teachers and practitioners who wish to further their content knowledge in selected theatre education topics.

AppSTEP combines practical and creative elements to explore content in exciting ways and allows participants to refresh and renew their skills as theatre artists. Instructors and specialists provide stimulating and engaging small group sessions on how to DO and how to TEACH theatre. In addition to the seminar sessions, participants can attend performances, special events and other activities.

According to Theatre Professor Gordon Hensley, coordinator of the program, AppSTEP offers a convenient and affordable opportunity for teachers to obtain professional development (PD) and continuing education units (CEU). Upon completion of the program, participants receive a certificate of participation, which may be used for CEU or PD credit with prior approval from a school’s arts education coordinator. Licensure renewal candidates must check with their local school system to determine what coursework and documentation is required before applying.

“With content delivered by theatre and education specialists, AppSTEP provides teachers with the opportunity to continue their content knowledge, pedagogy and theatre practitioner skills without interrupting their careers,” said Hensley.

The 2016 AppSTEP guest presenter is J. Daniel Herring. He directed the world premiere of “The Great Gilly Hopkins” in New York at the New Victory Theatre and received critical acclaim from both the New York Times and New York Post. Herring served as the artistic director with Stage One in Louisville, Kentucky, for 20 seasons. In addition to directing six other world-premiere productions for Stage One, his credits include “Cabaret,” “Next to Normal,” “The Elephant Man” and more.

The cost of AppSTEP is $150 for 10 hours of seminar instruction over a period of one-and-a-half days, with one continuing education unit (CEU) earned at the completion of the program. Hensley notes that a $50 discount is being offered to student teachers, and that low cost housing options are available during online registration.

The 2016 AppSTEP is made possible with support from the College of Fine and Applied Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance. For information and registration, call the department office at (828) 262-3028 or visit the department website at http://theatreanddance.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Theatre and Dance

The Department of Theatre and Dance is housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its mission is to provide liberal arts educational opportunities including B.A. degrees in dance studies and theatre arts. The department also values the opportunity to offer coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Vital to the support of this mission is a dynamic co-curricular production program that provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community and the region. The departmental philosophy is to support the university’s liberal arts environment through a balanced and integrated emphasis on teaching, creative activity, scholarship and service.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.