During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Karla discuss professional updates amidst big changes in the field of theatre education. They discuss co-host Jeff’s interview with Alexis Truitt and Mitch Mattson from the American Alliance for Theatre & Education. Both the interview and discussion center on the movement of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the global field of theatre education.
Please download the transcript here
In this episode you’ll learn:
How a national service organization has responded to the field-wide movement towards diversity, equity, and inclusion;
Ways bilingual theatre drives dialogues about inclusion and belonging in theatre education; and
About the concept of “micro-progressions.”
Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including:
ABOUT ALEXIS TRUITT:
Alexis Truitt is the executive director of the American Alliance for Theatre & Education. Prior to AATE, she was the Program Coordinator for the Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) Program at the Kennedy Center. She holds her Masters in Arts Management from George Mason University and her Bachelors of Music in voice from The Boston Conservatory. She has had the opportunity to intern with the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, English National Opera, and was an Allen Lee Hughes Fellow at Arena Stage. She also volunteers with The St. Mark’s Players, where she has had the opportunity to wear many fun hats--including Board Member, Treasurer, Director of Community Engagement, and presently Artistic Director. Alexis continues to love being a part of the AATE family as a staff member and looks forward to her continued work directly with the membership.
ABOUT MITCH MATTSON:
Mitch Mattson is the Board Chair for the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, a member-based, service organization, serving a collective of theatre artists, educators, and scholars committed to transforming young people and communities through the theatre arts. Mitch is also the Director of Career Training and Operations at Roundabout Theatre Company – NYC’s largest not-for-profit theatre company. He leads a team of arts administrators fostering the next generation of dynamic theatre professionals through career and workforce development programs. His work has has created partnerships with over 50 professional theatres and shops across NYC enabling Roundabout’s Theatrical Workforce Development Program to provide training and jobs to early career technicians. He also oversees Education at Roundabout’s operations relating to career, community, and school programs. He sits on the NYC Department of Education's Media & Design Commission as an industry representative and presents on theatre education nationally and internationally. Mitch is an alum of Coro: Leadership New York, LNY31. He has taught at theatres and schools across the country; and co-chaired regional and national conferences and convenings. Previous work at Arena Stage in Washington, DC was sponsored by the US State Department, taking him to India to create theater with young people. He holds a B.F.A. from Millikin University and a master's from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
This episode was produced by executive producer, Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC