A Survival Guide to TYA Conferences and Events
By Kassie Misiewicz and Daniel Hintz
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. Not only do these events allow us to see and talk about new work with others in the field, we get to hang out and have some serious fun.
I've been attending these conferences since grad school and have found all sorts of legal ways to afford the trip. While selling your organs may seem like the only way you're ever going to go, I want to 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!
Deciding to Go
People attend these conferences for several reasons:
- › See old friends
- › Meet new people
- › Get new ideas
- › See productions and hear new scripts from TYA companies around the country
If you're like me, you can only afford to attend one conference a year, so choose wisely. The following events should definitely be on your radar screen in the next 18 months:
- New Visions/ New Voices (NV/NV)
- This May 21-23, 2004 event in Washington, D.C. includes staged readings of new TYA plays and an ASSITEJ-USA membership meeting. www.kennedy-center.org
- American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE)
- This annual conference will be held July 27-August 1, 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah. It will include TYA and theatre education workshops, symposiums and performances. www.aate.org
- The Bonderman Symposium
- This biannual event is sponsored by Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana Repertory Theater. A week of intensive play development culminates in a weekend of readings of new TYA plays. www.liberalarts.iupui.edu/bonderman/
- The 15th ASSITEJ International World Congress and Festival
- A rare and wonderful opportunity to see TYA companies from all over the world-in our own backyard! From September 20-30, 2005, the Congress will take place in easy-access locale of Montreal, Canada. www.montreal-2005.com www.montreal-2005.com
Once you figure out which event really says "YOU," crunch some numbers and make sure you will be able to cover the expenses for the trip. You should take into consideration the roundtrip travel, conference registration, housing, meals, travel within the city and other expenses. Remember, you can write this trip off on your taxes.or just simply place the money you save into an offshore account in the Bahamas.
Set the Alarm and Turn Out the Lights
If you work for a theatre, check-in with your supervisor (if you haven't already) to make sure that you can count your time at the conference as work time. See if the theatre will be able to give you a hundred dollars or so towards your trip. It sometimes helps to bring flowers or CRAWL to work on your hands and knees. Some cities even have grants for artist professional development, so check out your local arts commission website and the Assitej-USA Ann Shaw Fellowships!
The Low Down on the Down Low
A donkey may the cheapest way to travel, but don't compromise your comfort too much. You may just show up at the conference smelling of ass and have a royal crick in your neck. On the other hand, nothing will sop up a budget quicker than a big ol' airfare biscuit. There are happy mediums out there. You probably already know the websites that lead you to cheaper airfares. If you live within three states of an event, think about contacting other ASSITEJ-USA members and carpooling.
Hard or Soft Pillow?
So now that you are at the event, where do you stay? A couple of options are:
Stay with a friend or family in the area. The only cost will be a thank you gift for the host.though you may have to sit and listen to Grandpa's stories of foot boils, goiters and dandruff (oh my!).
If you have a group of you who want to go, but can't afford
the event hotel, check into
www.hotels.com
If you want to stay at one of the NV/NV conference hotels, let the conference planners know that you're looking for 1-3 roommates to share a one-bedroom suite. With a queen bed and fold out couch, a room could easily sleep 3 or 4 people.
For AATE, look at www.utah.com www.utah.com under accommodations. A search for places in the $50-$75 range yielded 44 properties in Salt Lake or very nearby. If you have the option of staying either north or south of the city, choose north. Places like Woods Cross, North Salt Lake and Bountiful are only 10-15 min. from the city and you won't have to fight traffic as much as you would if you were staying south of the city.
Feed Me, Seymour!
To save money on food, pack your suitcase with delectables from home, though raw meat is never a good idea. Several of the events have hosted receptions or continental breakfasts. You can stock up on breakfast and lunch supplies or buy something cheap at a local grocery store, but most dinners will be eaten out. A collapsible cooler can keep things cool with ice from the hotel. Non-perishable snacks such as nuts, dried fruit and energy bars, as well as beverages like boxes of OJ, soymilk and fruit juice, can help augment food from the local 7-11. A bottle of wine and a corkscrew will come in handy for impromptu late-night hotel room gatherings.
For NV/NV, there's a convenient grocery store located in the basement of the Watergate plaza, next to the Kennedy Center. Low price dinner options are with-in walking distance or a short cab ride away: Georgetown, Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan. Foggy Bottom's restaurants are all moderate to expensive. Do your homework before you go. Bring restaurant names, addresses, phone numbers and directions from the conference center so that you can offer suggestions when people are considering dinner options.
For a list of inexpensive D.C. restaurants, check out www.washingtonian.com. It is an amazing resource. My sister, who is a grad student at Georgetown, recommends Sala Thai in Dupont Circle (202-872-1144).
In Salt Lake City, A food court is only a 5-minute walk through the mall from the hotel. Cafeteria-like fare at the Beehive house right across the street from the mall is a good deal. On average, dinning in Salt Lake City is relatively cheap (a nice restaurant experience goes for $15 a plate).
Nice To Meet You, Do You Have A Job?
The Do's and Don'ts of
Schmoozing
- › DO go to this conference for yourself and enjoy the experience.
- › DON'T go to the conference to meet the “right” people who have the power to catapult your career to the “next stage.” Folks can smell desperation.
- › DO participate in the conference. You have ideas and talents to offer the field. You are good enough. You are smart enough. And gosh darn it, people like you!
- › DO bring business cards. Microsoft Publisher has some simple templates that look good.
- › DON'T bring resumes. If someone asks for a resume, exchange business cards and let them know you'll send one along after the conference.
- › DO dress professionally and comfortably. Leather chaps don't count!
- › DON'T criticize a workshop or a reading right after you walk out the door. Find a good space to discuss the event with friends.
- › DO talk to colleagues about what you see and hear. Conversation and debate are welcomed at these events.
- › DO network with peers. These folks are your most valuable resources.
- › DO invite people to join your group, especially if you notice someone seems to be at the conference by him/herself. Friends don't let friends do theatre alone.
- › DON'T air dirty laundry about your company or employer. Not only is it bad form, it could get back to your employer. Nothing is quite as nasty as waking up with a horse head next to you.
- › DO share your individual job challenges and successes with colleagues. They might have valuable insight into your experience and authentic advice.
- › DO instigate post-dinner adventures with other participants to Blues/Jazz/Dance clubs or interesting restaurants. And yes, Hooters may have some great wings, but come on!
Wherever You Go, There You Are
Any opportunity you have to meet up with the folks in our field opens new doors, ideas and friendships. Think collaborations. Think artistic partnerships. Think “social entrepreneur.” Think about piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. Whatever you think about, you should really think about attending one of these events. I look forward to seeing you there!
Kassie Misiewicz and Daniel Hintz are co-founders of Theatre Squared, a brand new professional regional theatre for adults and young audiences in Fayetteville, AR. You can reach Kassie at tyadirector@yahoo.com and Daniel at ideafactory30@yahoo.com .