• What is the ASPIRE Leadership Fellows Program?

The KCACTF/LORT ASPIRE Leadership Fellows Program is designed to cultivate a new generation of artistic and administrative leaders for the American Theater with a focus of engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and members of other groups that are consistently underrepresented in the field. 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, and professional networking opportunities.

Last year’s ASPIRE at Region IV:

During the past Region IV festival, ASPIRE participants attended our Orientation meeting and Workshops listed below. 

• Orientation: What is ASPIRE? (Tuesday, led by ASPIRE Coordinator) We will review what the program is, The Creative Pitch, and workshops and fellowship week in DC during the National Festival (selected students will be announced at the Awards Ceremony). 

•  Workshop 1: Find Your Path-Navigating a Career in Theatre. (Wednesday afternoon) This workshop is an introduction to positions in the theatre outside of acting, directing, designing and playwriting. We all know it takes more than just the actors on stage to bring a show to life. Navigating the world of theater post-graduation can feel overwhelming, but knowing that there are multiple paths to finding your way may make it a little easier. Join us in this workshop to learn more about the many positions that exist in the theater that foster fulfilling and exciting careers!

• Workshop 2: The Creative Pitch. (Thursday morning) Through the lens of equitable and sustainable practices, the ASPIRE Arts Leadership program is dedicated to discussing and learning what the next 50 years of American theatre will look like. That means you! As the future stewards of the American theatre, what do you think needs to change or stay the same? Come and learn how to communicate your ideas through “The Creative Pitch”. This can include pitching a theatre company, a multi-disciplinary arts organization, a festival or a creative theatrical initiative. We will discuss who your target audience is, your position and who are your creative collaborators, where does your creative project take place and how does this creative pitch align with your leadership aspirations? 

• Workshop 3: Find your North Star: How Mission and Values Make Theatre Happen. (Thursday afternoon) Have you ever dreamed of starting your own creative project? Have you ever wondered what skills one needs to run a theatre company? The ASPIRE Arts Leadership Program aims to boost the artistic voices of the next generation of theatre professionals. In an environment consisting mostly of your peers and led by leading theatre/arts professionals, we rise by lifting each other up through immersion in contemporary and future artistic leadership inspired by the regional theatre movement. Come and join us in the room where it happens. 

National ASPIRE Cohort

One fellow from each region will be selected, based on the successful completion of the creative final presentation to a panel of selectors, to join the National ASPIRE cohort in Washington, D.C. for a week-long fellowship.  To be considered for the National Fellowship, attendance and participation in the professional development programming, both the synchronous national programming, and at the regional “homerooms” is required. All students will receive feedback on their work from faculty and professional theatre leaders, in the third week.

The National ASPIRE program is also offering live virtual workshops and sessions open to any and all interested participants.  See the link below to register for the national online offerings.