Conference

The AWTE conference is for theatre teachers, directors, technical directors, college students, university professors, performing arts center (PAC) managers and theatre education advocates. Conference enrollment includes annual membership in AWTE.

Friday, September 18, 2026

Reception opens 8am
Last session ends 3pm
Board meeting, 3-4pm

00Days

00Hours

UW-Parkside

Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts & Humanities
900 Wood Rd
Kenosha, WI 53144

Cost

Standard $75
Student $25
Retiree $25
Vendor $75

Attend Conference/Membership Dues

DPI Advocacy Letter

Here is a letter from DPI, endorsing the value of fine arts professional development.

2025 Schedule (2026 schedule to be posted in late August/early September)

Time	Room	Title	Presenter(s)
8:00am	Lobby	Reception, Vendors (all day), Continental Breakfast
9:00am	Room 221	Welcome/Keynote	Michael Kelley, UNCSA
9:45am	Room 221	AWTE Membership Meeting & Regional Meet-Up	Abby Kean & Rachel Thuermer
10:15am	Room 221	Diving Deeper with Michael Kelley	Michael Kelley, UNCSA
10:15am	Room 283	Basics of Stage Makeup	Krissy Sneshkoff, UWSP
11:15am	Room 221	Music Direction for Your Shows	Mark Hanson, UWSP
11:15am	Room 283	Unarmed Stage Combat	Ron Parker
12:15pm	Lobby	Lunch & Networking
1:00pm	Room 221	Assessing Theatre in Your Classroom - Tactics and Tools	Elizabeth Fritz, AWTE Board Member
1:00pm	Room 283	Student Leadership in your Program
2:00pm	Room 221	Back to Basics - Tech Theatre Must-Knows for Teachers	Kristi Ross-Clausen, AWTE Board Member
2:00pm	Room 283	Production Team Panel/Discussion	Amanda Leurquin, Andrew Neidner, & Laurie Maegli
3:00pm	Lobby	Recap/Review: Group Photo, Highlight Sharing, Survey!

State Theatre Festival

AWTE also sponsors professional development sessions at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Theatre Festival in November.