Due to the Forbes Center and K-12 schools being closed, TIOS (in this iteration) is postponed. 

Keynote - Cortney McEniry

Cortney McEniry

Cortney McEniry is an applied theatre practitioner and community-based artist who believes in strong coffee and stronger communities. She is currently the Artistic Director & Program Manager of UVA Acts, an educational theatre program promoting equitable, vibrant spaces for working and learning at the University of Virginia.

Prior to joining the UVA community in 2018, Cortney was the Director of Community Engagement at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Her research and focus on youth agency guided her practice while leading the 2016 High School Intensive at McCarter Theatre Center and producing the Professional Training Institute for two seasons at Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

Her practice has been sharpened through collaboration with artists in a variety of contexts, including adults gaining literacy, young people experiencing confinementeducators in public schoolsfamilies experiencing housing insecurity, and community advocates who were formerly incarcerated. She is currently in collaboration with the United States Embassy to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cortney is currently co-creating an arts-integrated disinformation prevention curriculum for high school students with accompanying professional development for educators. 

Cortney will be leading the interactive keynote for students and teachers at the 2020 JMU Theatre in Our Schools conference. She will also teach a workshop just for teachers following the keynote.

TiOS Logo

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Check-In:           7:45am - 8:30am

Conference:       8:30am - 4:00pm

Optional Tour:    4:00pm - 4:20pm

A one-day conference for high school students (ideally freshmen, sophomores, and juniors) to deepen their skills in the art form, collaborate with students from other schools, and explore and experience theatre at James Madison University. The event includes: Keynote by Guest Artist, Hands-On Workshops Taught by JMU Faculty, High School Play Competition Readings, and a Tour of the Forbes Center for the Performing.

Each school can bring up to 15 high school students and 1 teacher to the event. (Additional chaperones are welcome to attend, but teachers and students will be given priority seating at all-conference events. Breakout workshops are for students and teachers only.)

After your school registers and pays, you will receive a packet of information about the upcoming Theatre in Our Schools Event at JMU. Your group can choose to purchase lunch vouchers (until April 8, 2020).

Any questions please contact Joshua Rashon Streeter at streetjr@jmu.edu.

Playwriting Contest for High School Students

The Theatre in Our Schools conference will include readings of four ten-minute plays by high school students. This year’s theme is “What in the World” - What in the world is on your mind?  What in the world do you want to change?  What in the world impacts you on a daily basis? Submit your 10-minute play by February 2, 2020.

JMU 10-Minute Play Competition Information and Submission Detail

How to Register and Pay for the Conference

$95 Early Bird Registration ends February 15, 2020 or Until Full 
$145 (per school) All Conference Registration ends April 8, 2020 or Until Full

Money will not be refunded if you cannot attend.

The two options for payment are throught the JMU online payment system or by mailing a check.  If sending a check, please include your name, e-mail address, phone number, high school and the number of students attending.

Online Registration and Payment:   
No registration at this point in time.

Mail checks to:
Joshua Rashon Streeter
James Madison University
MSC 5601
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts
147 Warsaw Ave
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Please make checks payable to James Madison University

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