KCACTF Region 1 Conference 57: Full Schedule

9:00pm EST

Devising Kick-Off

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EST

Devised theatre-making allows for a unique creative expression that reflects the collective voice and the unique strength of the individual artists. The divising methodology led by Farm Arts Collective artistic director, Tannis Kowalchuk invites the performer to be a creator, resulting in an unique process that engages the actors’ imagination, voice, body, writing skills and design concepts. Devised theatre creates incredibly original, moving, and relevent theatre.

Speakers

Tannis Kowalchuk

Devising Leader, KCACTF Region 1 Devising Board Member

Tannis Kowalchuk is the founding artistic director of Farm Arts Collective and the co-owner of Willow Wisp Organic Farm in Damascus, PA. She is a theatre artist, flower farmer, and community organizer. She has directed and performed in over 30 original theatre productions in the US... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EST
Clock Tower Student Center

Devising

1:00pm EST

NPP Bake-Off I

Wednesday January 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Clock Tower

NPP Participants

Speakers

Cassie M. Seinuk

Vice chair npp, Region 1 Npp co-chair

Cassie M. Seinuk is a Jewish Cuban playwright, AEA Stage Manager, visual artist and educator in Boston, MA. Her play From the Deep has won multiple awards including The Pestalozzi New Play Prize, the Latinidad Playwrights Award at the Kennedy Center, and was a recipient of the Boston... Read More →

Shawna Mefferd Kelty

UP Next Play Respondent, KCACTF Region 1 NPP Co-Chair

Dr. Shawna Mefferd Kelty is a director, dramaturg, and chair of the Theatre Department at SUNY Plattsburgh (SDC Associate member and LMDA member). She teaches directing, dramatic lit (including Canadian Theatre, African American Dramas, and Contemporary Women Playwrights), history... Read More →

Wednesday January 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Clock Tower Student Center

NPP

11:00am EST

SDC Candidates Interview

Thursday January 30, 2025 11:00am - 4:00pm EST

Clock Tower

SDC participants

Speakers

Sasha Bratt

KCACTF Region 1 Board, KCACTF Chair, SDC Directing Initiative

Sarah Ploskina

KCACTF Region 1 SDC Vice Chair

Sarah is Theatre maker, director, and educator. She specializes in Forum Theatre, devising, and Shakespeare. At Bridgewater State University, Sarah is an Assistant Professor.

Moira O'Sullivan

Literary & Artistic Coordinator, Barrington Stage Company

Moira O'Sullivan is a director and dramaturg and the Literary & Artistic Coordinator at Barrington Stage Company. Previously, she worked in the literary department at Portland Stage and was the Director of New Works at Playhouse on Park for two seasons. She has served on the script... Read More →

Eric Ort

Independent Artist

Eric Ort is a freelance director, arts educator, and nonprofit administrator. Formerly an artistic producer at TheaterWorks Hartford, Eric directed THE WOLVES and EVERY BRILLIANT THING and served as line producer for new play workshops. Other directing includes projects at The University... Read More →

Thursday January 30, 2025 11:00am - 4:00pm EST
Clock Tower Student Center

SDC

10:00am EST

Headshots

Friday January 31, 2025 10:00am - 2:00pm EST

Clock Tower

General, must register for a spot

Speakers

Christie Maturo

Professor of Theatre, Region 1 Vice Chair, Region 1 Ryan's Chair

Christie Maturo is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Central Connecticut State University where she teaches acting and directing. Christie has worked across the country as an actor, director, and producer. Most recently she worked with Undermain Theatre in Dallas and on the award-winning... Read More →

Emmett Buhmann

KCACTF Region 1 Chair, KCACTF Region 1 Chair

Emmett H. Buhmann (BFA, University of Wyoming, 2002; MFA University of California-Irvine, 2009) is the Lighting Design Faculty Member for the Bridgewater State University Department of Theatre. Freelance Design: Company ONE (peerless), The Un-Common Theater Company (Carrie: The Musical... Read More →

Friday January 31, 2025 10:00am - 2:00pm EST
Clock Tower Student Center

10:00am EST

NPP One Act Response (both shows)

Saturday February 1, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EST

Clock Tower

Response, Invited Production

Speakers

Shawna Mefferd Kelty

UP Next Play Respondent, KCACTF Region 1 NPP Co-Chair

Cassie M. Seinuk

Vice chair npp, Region 1 Npp co-chair

Bridget O'Leary

NPP Respondent, Independent Artist

Bridget Kathleen O'Leary is a freelance director, dramaturg and theater educator. Since 2022 she has been the Director of New Play Development for Moonbox Productions where she curates and oversees the annual Boston New Works Festival. From 2008-2018 she served as the Associate artistic... Read More →

Jackie Rosenfeld

KCACTF National Exchange, KCACTF NPP National Member at Large

Jackie Rosenfeld is the KCACTF National Playwriting Program Member at Large and is the Assistant Professor of Playwriting and Pedagogy at East Texas A&M University where she leads the New Play Development Initiative. Her plays have been produced in Texas and Colorado as well as New... Read More →

TJ Young

KCACTF Regional Exchange, KCACTF Region 2 NPP Chair

TJ Young is a Texas-born playwright and dramaturg based in Pittsburgh, where he serves as co-representative for the Dramatists Guild - Pittsburgh region. His plays include WE FLY, The Inseparables (Pittsburgh Public Theatre Commission), Isle of Noises (James Madison University Commission... Read More →

Saturday February 1, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Clock Tower Student Center

NPP