American Alliance for Theatre and Education presents
            Walking the Dream: Creating Footprints in the Arts of Theatre and Education
Hyatt Regency Atlanta, July 23-27 2008

DOWNLOAD THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM FOR DETAILS!

Preregistration is now closed. Register on site beginning at 8:30 AM on Thursday, July 24th.
Additional on site fees apply.
You can also download the conference brochure (note: this is a large file)
Please note that registration forms and questions should be directed to Meetings a la Carte

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE OUTLINE * * CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS * * PRE-CONFERENCE OPTIONS

EXHIBITOR INFORMATION * * ACCESSIBILITY * * LOCATION * *CONFERENCE ON A BUDGET* * CTFA LUNCHEON * *

FAQS: LOCAL ATTRACTIONS (coming soon)

Statement from your 2008 Conference Chairs...
Creating our future while learning from the past.  Each and every one of us has a vision, and each of us creates impressions on our communities.   Whether through an audience full of laughing people, a few touched by a performance, or a child who comes to understand the world a bit better, we all strive to share our art.  We invite you to join us in Atlanta to meet new people, share your footprint, and to create a dream.

2008 Conference Co-chairs:
Karen Ramps, Center for Puppetry Arts
Brooke Collins, Georgia Shakespeare

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Keynotes:
Susan V. Booth, Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre, Recipient of the 2007 Regional Theatre Tony Award, Atlanta, GA, and president of the board of Theatre Communications Group.
Patrick Spottiswoode, Director, Globe Education at Shakespeare’s Globe, London
Renowned playwright and Golden Globe award-winning actress Regina Taylor.

Theatre Excursions*
National Black Arts Festival performances of Hallelujah Street Blues, Amen Corner, and Gee’s Bend
Tom Thumb at Georgia Shakespeare

More Highlights!
Two exciting pre-conference options, including a Pre-conference preview of the Jim Henson Exhibit at the Center for Puppetry Arts!

Exciting paid intensive workshops!

Theatre and Education Internship/Job Fair
New Guard Mentor Reception
AATE Awards Luncheon
Exhibit Hall and Exhibitor Reception and Give-Away (for information on Exhibiting, contact the AATE Office)
Over 100 breakout sessions, networking opportunities and much more!

Conference Schedule Outline
Download the overview of breakout schedules in excel format, or download the pdf of Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

* Some luncheons and excursions are optional and require pre-registration at additional charge. All times, sessions, and presenters subject to change.

PRECONFERENCE OPTIONS:

Two exciting Pre-conference Event options. Separate registration required.  For Additional details and schedules, click here.

Following Atlanta’s Footprints, July 23-24 2008
Experience Atlanta’s unique theatre culture through visits to The Alliance Theatre, recipient of the 2007 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the internationally-renowned Center for Puppetry Arts and a picnic dinner and performance of The Merchant of Venice at Georgia Shakespeare! Register online!

Learning to Walk/Teaching to Dream (Teaching Artists as Footprint Creators & Classroom Collaborators),
July 23-24 2008
Explore collaboration between teaching artists and classroom teachers, consider effective strategies for introducing and sustaining a drama-based pedagogy, and investigate possible frameworks for training Teaching Artists.  Then, spend the evening at The Merchant of Venice at Georgia Shakespeare.  Participants for this program will be chosen by application.  For application details, click here.

Paid Intensive Workshops Include:

Paid Workshop #1: Rosemary Newcott
Colliding with a Classic
Thursday, July 24
Experience proven methods for creating original work with youth through writing, movement, and discussion exercises in this hands-on workshop with the Alliance Theatre’s Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth Rosemary Newcott. Participants will be working with teenagers from the Atlanta area to create an original piece to be performed together for the Opening Ceremonies. This workshop begins early Thursday morning 9am- noon, breaks noon - 3pm, and continues 3pm - 6pm, culminating in a performance at the opening ceremonies Thursday evening.

Paid Workshop #2: Alan Louis
Introduction to Shaddow Puppetry
Friday, July 25, 9:15am - 12:15
Explore and participate in the imaginative world of shadow puppetry with the Center for Puppetry Arts Director of Museum and Education Programs Alan Louis. 

Paid Workshop #3: Michael Benedict
Approaching the Problem as the Solution: A Diverse and Cost-Effective Approach to Theatrical Props
Friday July 25, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Discover some unique approaches to special effects and stage properties on a budget from one of Atlanta’s best, Michael Benedict, production manager for the Atlanta Opera and former Props Master for the Alliance Theatre

Paid Workshop #4: Gloria Bond Clunie
A Rock and a Hard Place: Exploring Playwriting
Thursday, July 24, 2:45pm- 5:45pm
A three-hour intensive workshop with Gloria Bond Clunie, a member of the Tony Award-Winning Victory Gardens Theater's Playwrights Ensemble. Her works include Shoes, Quark and Northstar, and she is a full time Creative Drama Specialist in the Evanston, IL school district.

Accessibility
AATE is committed to making our 2008 conference experience accessible to all attendees.  Please note that all areas of the Hyatt Regency Atlanta are accessible to those with physical limitations.  For further information, or to request specific accommodations, please contact the facility directly. 
American Sign Language interpreters and Large Print conference programs are available upon request for the conference.  Please register by June 15, 2008 to guarantee interpreters. 

Location:
The Hyatt Regency Atlanta
This beautiful hotel is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta; nearby attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park, Atlantic Station, Philips Arena, Underground Atlanta, High Museum of Art and Martin Luther King Center. AATE Conference attendees will receive a special conference rate of $179/night. To book your room and register online, visit: ONLINE REGISTRATION

You MUST book your hotel through AATE registration either ONLINE or by calling Meetings a la Carte at (877) 738-MEET or 1 877 738-6338; Please do not contact the hotel directly for your reservations, as they will not be able to give you the group rate. Thank you!

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Children’s Theatre Foundation of America 2008 Medallion Luncheon
Thursday, July 24, 2008 12:00pm – 2:00pm, Avanzare Restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Honored Recipients:
The Alliance Theatre for Youth of Atlanta
The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte

$50.00 USA for AATE Conference Attendees
$60.00 USA for others
$80.00 USA for patrons, acknowledged by name in the program

To purchase tickets, send name and mailing address, number of tickets and check payable to Children’s Theatre Foundation of America, Inc to CTFA, 170 Walnut Street, New Orleans, LA 70118. Tickets must be ordered through CTFA and are not sold at the door. 
**We are pleased and honored to provide information about this luncheon, taking place concurrently with the AATE Conference. Please note, however, that the Medallion Luncheon is a Children's Theatre Foundation event and all questions should be directed to CTFA.**

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REGISTRATION QUESTIONS? CONTACT: Meetings a la carte at (877) 738-MEET or by email at info@meetingsalacarte.com

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CONFERENCE PROGRAMMING QUESTIONS? CONTACT AATE

We will be releasing more details and schedules as they become available. Session presenters who have requested AV for their sessions will be contacted by early May with the status of these requests.

We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta!!

AATE

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