What is ITJA?

Formerly known as the National Critics Institute, now the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy, ITJA challenges writers to embrace the technology and social media areas that are rapidly changing the field by writing blogs, previews, as well as position papers in addition to reviews, and to respond orally in the form of interviews, vlogs, and podcasts (often radio assignments); while working with specialists who currently embrace the technology of the 21st century.

The National KCACTF Office puts it this way: “The Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy (ITJA) was established to assist in elevating the level of arts criticism and to provide writers the opportunity to grow at the same pace as the artists whose work they review and interpret.”

The New ITJA veers from the classroom model of just writing reviews and critiquing them in round table format and asks the advocates /critics to connect with those involved in directing, playwriting, acting, dramaturgy and other areas in the festival, possibly even sharing a workshop or an assignment. The aim is to have advocates /critics interview, observe, and intrinsically respond to the invited productions, as well as, actively interact with the rest of the festival, rather than working apart from it.

Who participates in ITJA?

All students from the region are eligible to participate in ITJA.

The Institute for Theater Journalism and Advocacy seeks students in all disciplines who are interested in advocating for theatre and for theatre artists. Your journalism and advocacy may look like writing for a major newspaper or magazine, hosting a podcast, or sharing images of artists in the making via social media. Through ITJA students will connect with guest advocates with diverse backgrounds in theatre, writing, journalism, criticism, etc., allowing you to further explore the many areas of your own interests, including playwriting, dramaturgy, technical theatre, or arts administration. You’re invited to explore the various avenues in which you can respond and ally with the many theatre activities before, during, and after the festival.

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.

And since you can participate with ITJA and in other areas of the festival at the same time, why not be the advocate on the inside of the KCACTF event in which you are already going to participate?

Just list the other areas you’re working with on your registration form so we can support you and schedule accordingly.

What do I do as part of ITJA?

You may choose to write, orate, or photograph. 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 with other disciplines 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, position paper, photo essay, etc., shared on the
KCACTF website).

You will be given guaranteed seating for the productions we review during the festival. In addition to performances, ITJA students are encouraged to advocate for all other festival events before and during the festival, by creating avenues for interviews or previews for DTM , the Devised Theater play development process, and/or the Irene Ryan and Next Steps audition processes, possibly livestreaming audition exit interviews, interviewing KCACTF staff, workshop participants, etc.

Since workshops are no longer limited to a table like an English class, ITJA participants can use the entire festival as their canvas, upon which they write, comment, and critique, all as theatre advocates.
In the words of KCACTF, you “traverse among the festival, participating actively as reporters, interviewers, and recorders/interpreters of the events in which [you] actively participate in, critique and analyze.”

During your time at the Region 4 Festival, you will meet to discuss with a theatre professional the types of topics that are connected to the professional life of the advocate/critic, online advocacy/criticism, issues in advocacy/criticism and strategies for finding employment in related areas which could include enhancing or developing your own podcast or blog!!

The guest professional advocate will lead the workshops and mentor students with input from hosts ITJA Regional Coordinator Andre Minkins and deputy Coordinator Star Garrett. Collectively, they are professionals in directing, acting, dramaturgy, and teach acting, voice for the actor, directing, playwriting, play analysis, makeup, production, and improvisation.

What do I need to bring to the festival for ITJA?

The most important things to bring are a passion for good theatre and an active inquiring mind.
Technically speaking, you will need a laptop computer or tablet with wireless capability for the sessions. If you are into podcasting, a phone with the video and voice recorder capabilities that you are comfortable with and, If 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.

When we are on location (face to face), and not virtual, we are committed to keeping ITJA “green” by reducing the amount of paper we print and copy. If providing equipment presents a problem, notify the ITJA Regional Coordinator 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.

How do I get involved with ITJA?

There are no application requirements per se — just a willingness to come and dive into some new ways of thinking about writing and communicating your thoughts about the theater you see.

If you are interested in participating in the ITJA program, please email Andre Minkins at minkinsan@wssu.edu with your name and contact information.

Questions?  Get in touch with one of our coordinators below:

Andre Minkins
minkinsan@wssu.edu

Sign up soon as possible in order to get in on the pre festival team of advocates that will be engaged in the aforementioned ways of communicating their thoughts about the theater they see. A perfect opportunity for student advocates who already share such information on their own blog or podcast, and a perfect time to highlight regional campuses or programs during the time leading up to the festival.

Students selected for the festival institute will be notified of their acceptance as soon as possible.
At the conclusion of the festival, one student will be named the Region IV ITJA Advocate. That student will be invited to submit their materials to the National Selection Panel. Four students from across the eight regions will be selected to attend the National Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, all expenses paid. A runner-up Region IV ITJA Advocate will also be named.