May, 2004
Welcome to the first issue of NEXT!
From the editors: So, what's NEXT?
NEXT is an online magazine created by members of the "Next Generation" of ASSITEJ/USA, an unofficial group of emerging professionals in Theater for Young Audiences. There will be two editions a year, with the plan of adding more down the road. The fire was lit at the May 2003 One Theater World conference in Philadelphia, when the newest members of the organization were invited to lead breakout sessions, host a reception, and create a vision for the future of Theater for Young Audiences. Many of us left the conference with new colleagues, fresh ideas, and the energy and commitment to keep the conversation going as we forge ahead in a field that has only begun to realize its potential.
NEXT is designed to be a forum for advocacy, of both young people and theater, for ideas and even, on occasion, for controversy. We want it to be a place to share great projects, introduce emerging artists, and bring a wide-spread group of young artists and leaders who are passionate about Theater for Young Audiences a little closer together.
YOU are NEXT! Whether you are right out of school, in the middle of your career or somewhere in-between, you are NEXT! We welcome your ideas for articles, your editorial comments, your rebuttals, your descriptions of projects that were wildly successful, and even projects that were train wrecks. We welcome alternative viewpoints, wild notions and outrageous comments. Send your ideas to nextassitej@yahoo.com and we will get back to you.
We hope you enjoy this first edition. We'd like to thank Kim Peter Kovac, Laurie Brooks and the ASSITEJ/USA Board of Directors for their support.
Michelle Kozlak and Emily Petkewich
Co-Editors
Kassie Misiewicz and Ruth Mercado
Layout Editors
Editorial: What's in it for me? Why I stay in the Arts. »
Emily Petkewich from Metro Theatre Company and Michelle Kozlak from The Kennedy Center share their different reasons why they remain working in the arts as it pertains to their focuses: Emily (Artistic/Education) and Michelle (Management). Read more...
The Manifesto »
A Vision for the Future of Theatre for Young Audiences. By reprinting the Manifesto, created at One Theater World - 2003, we are hoping that it will be a springboard for continuing conversation and possible future NEXT articles. It was created to be a living document and is the foundation for what we hope to discuss, share and bring into the E-Zine. Read more...
A Survival Guide to TYA Conferences and Events »
Whether you're burned out, needing a TYA family fix or looking for a job, TYA events and conferences are part of the life of an emerging professional in the field. While selling your organs may seem like the only way youre ever going to go, Kassie Misiewicz and Dan Hintz share some cost cutting tips that even those of us who work for not-for-profits can afford. Hard to believe, but it's true! Read more...
House Center »
Words from Our Audience: Many professionals working in Theater for Young Audiences feel drawn to the field because of the deep and powerful connection we build with the audience of young people we serve, both through performances and theater education experiences. In each issue of NEXT, we plan to feature the thoughts and ideas of young people from our audiences and education programs, in their own words, on a wide variety of topics. This month, we start by posing New York and Kentucky students a simple question: If you had a friend who had never been to a play or taken a drama class, what would you say to them to convince them to go with you? Read more...
Where do I find. . .? »
Resources for Emerging Artist, Educators and Managers in TYA. A valuable list of websites for our everyday use. Read more...
YOU are NEXT! »
If you would like to get involved, write an article, interview students for "House Center", offer an article idea, suggest a helpful resource link that you've found, or tell us about a new project of yours, we'd love to hear from you.
E-mail NEXT article ideas and comments to the editors at: nextassitej@yahoo.com
© copyright 2004
Special thanks to Jeffrey Livingston for the NEXT banner design and
to Al Arthur for putting the zine onto the web.