KCACTF Region 1 Conference 57: Full Schedule

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9:00am EST

All In Improv

Thursday January 30, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am EST

General, open to all. Neuroscience shows that exposure to improvisation and other creative imagination exercises increases adaptability, improves creative thinking, and breaks people out of old habits and learned behaviors! This workshop reviews the art of improvisation and demonstrates how participants can apply its principles to become stronger performers and build a culture of bravery and agility. Improv is the ultimate inclusive practice, allowing each performer to come as they are and create a space where “yes, and” is the ultimate answer. Course work includes games and exercises exploring awareness, relaxation, observation, the senses, voice, and physicality. Students should dress comfortably and be prepared to move, because anything can happen in improv!

Speakers

Garrett Olson

Associate Artistic & Technical Director of Watermelon Alligator, Watermelon Alligator Theatre Company

Garrett Olson (he/him) is a professional working actor, director, screenwriter, film maker, song writer, seasoned fight director/stunt coordinator, intimacy director/choreographer captain and safety/accessibility consultant for stage and screen. He is currently the Technical Director... Read More →

Jess Wilson

Managing and Artistic Director, WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company

Jess Wilson (they/she) is a former C-level executive leader with extensive experience as an actor, director, playwright, intimacy director, stage manager, tech, designer, and producer, and is the Managing and Artistic Director of the WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company. They are an... Read More →

Thursday January 30, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Constitution Memorial Hall

Workshop

10:30am EST

Community Conversations: Embracing Inclusion, Accessibility, and Consent-Based Practices

Thursday January 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am EST

Constitution

General, open to all. Join the conversation on how we embrace inclusion and accessibility and consent-based practices in our classrooms, departments, productions, and communities. Share best practices, brainstorm solutions to challenges you're encountered, and ask all the questions you need to further your understanding!

Speakers

Garrett Olson

Associate Artistic & Technical Director of Watermelon Alligator, Watermelon Alligator Theatre Company

Jess Wilson

Managing and Artistic Director, WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company

Thursday January 30, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am EST
Constitution Memorial Hall

Workshop

12:00pm EST

Mirrored Illusions: Intimacy and Violence in the Performing Arts

Thursday January 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST

Constitution

General, open to all. This is a specialized training designed to go hand in hand with the performance of The Way It Is, offering the rare opportunity to learn about intimacy, violence, consent, safety, and best practices through not only discussion, Q&A, and hands-on activities, but seeing it demonstrated by highly trained professional actors in performance. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that creates a safe environment to see, experience, and discuss the dynamics of intimacy and violence in storytelling, how closely they mirror one another, and how to use them effectively in rehearsal and performance.

Speakers

Garrett Olson

Associate Artistic & Technical Director of Watermelon Alligator, Watermelon Alligator Theatre Company

Jess Wilson

Managing and Artistic Director, WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company

Thursday January 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:15pm EST
Constitution Memorial Hall

Workshop

1:30pm EST

Rethinking Theatre

Thursday January 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST

Constitution

General, open to all. "That’s how we’ve always done it” should no longer be the standard practice. This workshop looks at how to dismantle that thought process, from show choices to casting to production values, as well as accessibility in our creative spaces. Let’s talk about bias: what it is, who has it, and how it can affect thoughts, behaviors, and actions. Please come with every question you've been afraid to ask, every strategy you use to check your own biases, and any challenges you'd like to brainstorm solutions for!

Speakers

Garrett Olson

Associate Artistic & Technical Director of Watermelon Alligator, Watermelon Alligator Theatre Company

Jess Wilson

Managing and Artistic Director, WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company

Thursday January 30, 2025 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST
Constitution Memorial Hall

Workshop