Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy (ITJA)
ITJA challenges writers to embrace the technology and social media areas that are rapidly changing the field by writing blogs, previews, and reviews, as well as responding orally in the form of interviews, vlogs, and podcasts. Students interested in writing, criticism, or literary management are encouraged to register for this program. Whether you hope to become a professional arts journalist or just love talking and writing about theater, ITJA is a fantastic Festival opportunity.
All students from the region are eligible to participate in ITJA. A student does not need to be nominated by a respondent or faculty member. The most important attributes participants share is a love of theatre, the ability to communicate, and a desire to use their skills to help contribute to the development of strong theatre. Students must be enrolled at an institution at the time of the program or have graduated within the last year.
How to Participate:
In 2023, students can participate in ITJA either in-person during the Region 5 Festival, January 22-27, or virtually on Zoom over the weekend of February 25/26. The programming will be the same in-person and virtually, consisting of workshops, master classes, and discussions curated by all of KCACTF’s ITJA coordinators, and National ITJA Director, Ashley Lee of the Los Angeles Times.
The selection process for this program and the subsequent national scholarship to attend the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center will take place after the virtual program. To be considered for the national program, students should complete the three ITJA assignments and submit them for consideration. The assignments are the same across regions and the virtual programming.
Session One
An introduction to arts journalism, outlining the wider importance and potential impact of producing stories that accurately respond to a piece of theater while holistically advocating for the industry and the art form. An ITJA guest artist (or Ashley Lee, in the virtual program) will present an accessible method to brainstorming story ideas that would be enjoyable for a young journalist to explore and engaging for others to read. Assignment: See one of three productions (options TBD) and send in three pitches for stories based on the work.
Session Two
A conversation about the current landscape of dramatic criticism, what counts as review criteria and why a "bad" review that wrestles fairly and directly with a piece of theater is better than a "good" review that glosses over it. The guest artist will share their top tips for writing theater reviews, even on tight deadlines. Assignment: See one of three productions (options TBD) and write a 400-500 word review.
Session Three
A workshop all about interviewing, the crucial skill that creates the basis for all kinds of arts journalism stories. The guest artist will go through the do's and don'ts of such timed chats with high-profile subjects and reveal surefire strategies for encouraging someone to open up about even the toughest topics one can discuss. Assignment: Select a creator or performer of a production (options TBD) and draft five questions you'd ask them in an interview for a feature article
All students from the region are eligible to participate in ITJA. A student does not need to be nominated by a respondent or faculty member. The most important attributes participants share is a love of theatre, the ability to communicate, and a desire to use their skills to help contribute to the development of strong theatre. Students must be enrolled at an institution at the time of the program or have graduated within the last year.
How to Participate:
In 2023, students can participate in ITJA either in-person during the Region 5 Festival, January 22-27, or virtually on Zoom over the weekend of February 25/26. The programming will be the same in-person and virtually, consisting of workshops, master classes, and discussions curated by all of KCACTF’s ITJA coordinators, and National ITJA Director, Ashley Lee of the Los Angeles Times.
The selection process for this program and the subsequent national scholarship to attend the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center will take place after the virtual program. To be considered for the national program, students should complete the three ITJA assignments and submit them for consideration. The assignments are the same across regions and the virtual programming.
Session One
An introduction to arts journalism, outlining the wider importance and potential impact of producing stories that accurately respond to a piece of theater while holistically advocating for the industry and the art form. An ITJA guest artist (or Ashley Lee, in the virtual program) will present an accessible method to brainstorming story ideas that would be enjoyable for a young journalist to explore and engaging for others to read. Assignment: See one of three productions (options TBD) and send in three pitches for stories based on the work.
Session Two
A conversation about the current landscape of dramatic criticism, what counts as review criteria and why a "bad" review that wrestles fairly and directly with a piece of theater is better than a "good" review that glosses over it. The guest artist will share their top tips for writing theater reviews, even on tight deadlines. Assignment: See one of three productions (options TBD) and write a 400-500 word review.
Session Three
A workshop all about interviewing, the crucial skill that creates the basis for all kinds of arts journalism stories. The guest artist will go through the do's and don'ts of such timed chats with high-profile subjects and reveal surefire strategies for encouraging someone to open up about even the toughest topics one can discuss. Assignment: Select a creator or performer of a production (options TBD) and draft five questions you'd ask them in an interview for a feature article
In-Person Participation
We want you to help bring the festival to life! Participants are encouraged to be the connectors and communicators that this evolving field requires by actively seeking out opportunities for collaboration at the Festival, interacting with a large variety of disciplines, interviewing, observing, and actively responding to the work of their fellow artists.
As a member of the ITJA team you will interpret/critique events for the KCACTF audience at large in the format you choose (blog, podcast, review, photo essay, etc., shared on the KCACTF website). ITJA participants can use the entire festival as their canvas, upon which they write, comment, and critique, all as theatre advocates.
What do I need to bring to the Festival for ITJA?
You will need a laptop computer or tablet with wireless capability for the sessions. If you are podcasting, a phone with the video and voice recorder capabilities that you are comfortable with and, if you so desire, you will need to have the knowledge of how to edit and post photographs to various social media platforms. Much of the writing or editing done occurs at night, in your rooms, after you have seen a show or conducted interviews.
If providing equipment presents a problem, notify ITJA Regional Coordinator, Susan V Hansen, Susan.Hansen@Riverland.edu in advance and an attempt will be made to assist you. Depending on the policies of the conference host, we may be able to borrow equipment from a school library, technology support office, or academic department.
As a member of the ITJA team you will interpret/critique events for the KCACTF audience at large in the format you choose (blog, podcast, review, photo essay, etc., shared on the KCACTF website). ITJA participants can use the entire festival as their canvas, upon which they write, comment, and critique, all as theatre advocates.
What do I need to bring to the Festival for ITJA?
You will need a laptop computer or tablet with wireless capability for the sessions. If you are podcasting, a phone with the video and voice recorder capabilities that you are comfortable with and, if you so desire, you will need to have the knowledge of how to edit and post photographs to various social media platforms. Much of the writing or editing done occurs at night, in your rooms, after you have seen a show or conducted interviews.
If providing equipment presents a problem, notify ITJA Regional Coordinator, Susan V Hansen, Susan.Hansen@Riverland.edu in advance and an attempt will be made to assist you. Depending on the policies of the conference host, we may be able to borrow equipment from a school library, technology support office, or academic department.
Entry for the in-person event is now closed.
Virtual Participation
The virtual event, led by National ITJA Director Ashley Lee (Los Angeles Times) will take place on Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26 over Zoom.
Deadline to enter the virtual event is Wednesday, February 15, 2023