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DISCUSSION ON “A WELCOMING SPACE FOR WHOM?: RACE AND INCLUSION IN SUBURBAN HIGH SCHOOL THEATER PROGRAMS” WITH AUTHOR AMANDA BROWN
February 23, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Free
WHAT: Please join us and fellow theater educators and directors for a discussion of the ArtsPraxis article, “A Welcoming Space for Whom?: Race and Inclusion in Suburban High School Theater Programs”, with the author, Amanda Brown. See the article here.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 23rd, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Virtual – The link to join this virtual workshop will be sent to participants the day before the workshop. Discussion questions will be sent earlier.
WHO: Amanda Brown will be our guest author who will introduce and contextualize the article. Dr. Stephanie Lein Walseth will facilitate the conversation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amanda Brown is a PhD candidate studying Arts in Education at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Previously, she worked in schools in Los Angeles and Chicago for ten years as an instructional coach and teacher of English, Drama, History, and Media Studies. She holds an MA in Educational Theatre from NYU and a BS in Television and Film from Boston University. Her research interests include anti-oppressive drama pedagogy and teacher demoralization.
ARTICLE ABSTRACT: One of the most frequently cited points of pride for high school theater teachers is the inclusivity of their programs. Research in the past has demonstrated this narrative carries through to students as well, who often note that high school theater programs provide “physically and emotionally nurturing spaces…where niche community finds safe haven and encouragement of expression” (McCammon et al., 2012). As a teacher and researcher, I ask for whom are we creating these safe spaces? This literature review presents evidence that many theater programs, especially at majority-white schools, likely struggle to support and include BIPOC students, but that little research exists on BIPOC students’ experiences or about how best to address this struggle to create racially inclusive theater communities. Because of this gap, I explore the existing literature on BIPOC students’ experiences in majority-white schools and in diverse theater programs in urban schools and community programs, as well as work outside academia that points toward potential underlying causes, solutions, and areas for additional inquiry.
This discussion session is hosted by the Perpich Center for Arts Education Professional Development and Resource Programs team and is FREE for participants. CEUs are available.
