Coordinator: Brad Dell aspire@kcactf5.org
The ASPIRE Fellowship Program is designed in partnership between the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) and the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) to cultivate a new generation of artistic and administrative leaders for the American theater with a focus on recruiting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) as well as people of various identities that are historically underrepresented in executive theater leadership. This diverse national cohort of fellows assembled from all of KCACTF’s eight regions will engage in topics concerning equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism as well as leadership skills building, investigation of institutional challenges, artistic producing, and professional networking opportunities.
ASPIRE at Region 5!
Prior to the virtual festival, students will prepare a preliminary proposal for a new theatre organization. At the virtual festival, students will participate in workshops with nationally recognized arts leaders, engage in round table discussions with other participants, and make a mock pitch to potential donors. One student from Region 5 will be chosen to participate in the National ASPIRE fellowship.
Eligibility
- ASPIRE is open to undergraduate or graduate BIPOC students as well as students of various identities that are historically underrepresented in executive theater leadership who were enrolled at least part-time during the 2020 academic year.
- Submit your application package by January 8th, 2021 at 5:00pm.
ASPIRE will involve three parts
- The Producer Prepares (submitted prior to the festival) Please see the details below for more information.
- Workshop/Intensive attendance. Workshops will primarily occur throughout the day on Wednesday, January 20. A workshop schedule will be announced prior to the festival.
- The Pitch. You will have a time slot on Wednesday, January 20 to pitch your idea to respondents and the other ASPIRE participants. You should assume that you are the Artistic Director, Managing Director, or Executive Director of your new theatre organization.
PROJECT - The Producer Prepares
Completed and submitted via Google Slides (10 slide limit) prior to festival. (Please see the EXPO page for more specific submission details.)
Students participating in the ASPIRE Arts Leadership intensive will create a new Theatre Company in a city of their own choosing, including the inaugural season of four productions (or events) of your choice and present their original ideas using the criteria outlined below. The following project details are to be assembled and submitted via Google Slides (10 slide limit). Submissions will be included in the virtual festival EXPO and utilized throughout the ASPIRE Intensive. The design and creativity of these presentations is at the discretion of the creator.
All Producer Prepares projects should include the following sections:
1. Statement of Leadership Philosophy: A Personal Leadership Philosophy states the core values you live by, what you expect of your people, what they can expect of you, and how you will evaluate performance. The philosophy will only be effective if it is read, so keep it short (a few paragraphs). Please consider the following points when developing your philosophy and include them in your statement:
Writing a philosophy is a very personal exercise and should begin with answering some questions about who you are, what you believe in, what you value, your priorities and your expectations of yourself and others. You are encouraged to research and review other leadership philosophies prior to creating your own.
2. Mission, Vision and Values Statements: Create a clear and concise mission statement, statement of organization values, and identify the vision you see for your organization. Mission statements describe the overall purpose of an organization: what you do, who you do it for, and how and why you do it. A values statement reflects the core principles of an organization, the deeply held values that do not change over time. It answers the question, "how do we carry out our mission?" Values are what your organization lives, breathes and reflects in all its activities. A vision statement describes an ideal future. It answers the question, "what impact do we want to have on society?" This overriding organization philosophy will be the backbone of your organization and its strategic plan. These statements should be brief and concise, typically no more than one or two paragraph each. You are encouraged to research other professional theatres as examples.
3. Season Plan: Here you should provide your plan for your inaugural season. Specifically, you should include your season selection, along with a brief written description (No more than one paragraph) of each selected event (approximately 4) . Include a season schedule that shows when each show will be performed. Dream big here.
4. Representation, Equity, Diversity, and Anti-Racism Plan: Representation, Equity, Diversity, and Anti-Racism are a central focus of the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program. Therefore, your proposal must include a statement (a few paragraphs) about how your theatre will center these vital ideas. For reference you are encouraged to review the articles and websites posted at www.kcactfresources.com and research how other theatre organizations are approaching R.E.D. and Anti-Racism.
Students participating in the ASPIRE Arts Leadership intensive will create a new Theatre Company in a city of their own choosing, including the inaugural season of four productions (or events) of your choice and present their original ideas using the criteria outlined below. The following project details are to be assembled and submitted via Google Slides (10 slide limit). Submissions will be included in the virtual festival EXPO and utilized throughout the ASPIRE Intensive. The design and creativity of these presentations is at the discretion of the creator.
All Producer Prepares projects should include the following sections:
1. Statement of Leadership Philosophy: A Personal Leadership Philosophy states the core values you live by, what you expect of your people, what they can expect of you, and how you will evaluate performance. The philosophy will only be effective if it is read, so keep it short (a few paragraphs). Please consider the following points when developing your philosophy and include them in your statement:
- Personal values such as honesty, commitment, respect for others.
- Description of how you will carry out your responsibilities.
- What your priorities are.
- What you expect of your people and how you will evaluate them.
- What your people can expect of you.
Writing a philosophy is a very personal exercise and should begin with answering some questions about who you are, what you believe in, what you value, your priorities and your expectations of yourself and others. You are encouraged to research and review other leadership philosophies prior to creating your own.
2. Mission, Vision and Values Statements: Create a clear and concise mission statement, statement of organization values, and identify the vision you see for your organization. Mission statements describe the overall purpose of an organization: what you do, who you do it for, and how and why you do it. A values statement reflects the core principles of an organization, the deeply held values that do not change over time. It answers the question, "how do we carry out our mission?" Values are what your organization lives, breathes and reflects in all its activities. A vision statement describes an ideal future. It answers the question, "what impact do we want to have on society?" This overriding organization philosophy will be the backbone of your organization and its strategic plan. These statements should be brief and concise, typically no more than one or two paragraph each. You are encouraged to research other professional theatres as examples.
3. Season Plan: Here you should provide your plan for your inaugural season. Specifically, you should include your season selection, along with a brief written description (No more than one paragraph) of each selected event (approximately 4) . Include a season schedule that shows when each show will be performed. Dream big here.
4. Representation, Equity, Diversity, and Anti-Racism Plan: Representation, Equity, Diversity, and Anti-Racism are a central focus of the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program. Therefore, your proposal must include a statement (a few paragraphs) about how your theatre will center these vital ideas. For reference you are encouraged to review the articles and websites posted at www.kcactfresources.com and research how other theatre organizations are approaching R.E.D. and Anti-Racism.
Evaluation
Applicants for the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program are evaluated based on the candidate’s potential and interest to:
- Demonstrate artistic and administrative vision.
- Lead and inspire others.
- Collaborate with all members of a team.
- Engage within the community at large.
- Think outside the box and innovate.
- Center Representation, Equity, Diversity, and Anti-Racism
- Articulate the theatre's role and relevance in current events.
The Pitch
During the virtual festival, participants will each be given an opportunity to pitch the idea for their new theatre to the respondents and fellow participants. The ultimate goal should be to get them excited about this new arts organization. Participants are encouraged to talk about what impact this new organization will have on the local community as well as the broader arts community. These presentations are an extension of the prepared google slide show and should highlight the elements presented in the Producer Prepares portion. You are selling an idea, so you are encouraged to be creative. These pitches should be prepared in advance and well-rehearsed. After your pitch, the respondents will give you brief feedback.
Wrap-Up Details
- Submit your form and Producer Prepares Slide Show by January 8th, 2021.
- Virtual Workshops and Producer Prepares Pitch will primarily occur throughout the day on Wednesday, January 20. A more detailed schedule will be distributed prior to the festival.
Any questions may be directed via email to ASPIRE Coordinator Brad Dell aspire@kcactf5.org at any time. Good luck! We look forward to your participation in the festival.
Please remember, in order to participate in this event you must register for the festival
