Theatre for Young Audiences/USA

09/07/2026

Three weeks left to submit Festival & Conference Proposals! TYA/USA invites proposals from TYA/USA membership for Breakout Sessions leadership and papers to be presented at our Research & Scholarship Working Groups at the 2027 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Children’s Theatre Company from Wednesday May 19th to Friday May 21st, 2027.
Click here to learn more about our 2027 Festival & Conference and submit a proposal:
https://www.tyausa.org/festival/

The submission deadline is Monday, September 28th.

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[Slide 1 ID: white text over a yellow bar and black box reading “3 weeks left to propose a Breakout Session & submit a paper to the Research & Scholarship Working Group” over the geometric white, purple, and orange logo reading "2027 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference Hosted by Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis, Minnesota May 19-21”]
[Slide 2 ID: black and white text in boxes over orange and purple circles reading “Submit a Breakout Session Proposal, We will review submissions on any topic, but we’re particularly interested in the following: Arts administration topics (fundraising, marketing, HR, budgeting, board relations, etc.), New Work Development Models, Community Outreach & Civic Engagement, Advocacy in the field of TYA , Intersectional EDIAJ practices) The deadline to apply is Monday September 28th, 2026”]
[Slide 3 ID: black and white text in boxes over orange and purple circles reading “Working Group Overview: This year’s conference will include panels that bring research into conversation with practice. We seek proposals that examine theories and methods that explore the impact of TYA theatre and educational programming, broadly defined. Research might therefore engage with any number of theatrical forms, including but not limited to pre and post-performance workshops, arts-integrated learning activities, applied theatre, etc. The deadline to apply is Monday September 28th, 2026”]

09/03/2026

We want your voice in the conversation. Swipe through to read 5 reasons why you should sign up as a TYA/USA member right now! Be part of the national network of artists, administrators, educators, and students shaping the future of Theatre for Young Audiences.

Click here to become a member today! https://www.tyausa.org/about-membership/

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[Slide 1 ID: Red border surrounding black and white photo of a large audience in a theatre. Over the image, red and black text reads “Our network is growing! Join TYA/USA to connect with hundreds of individual theatremakers, organizations, and universities in the field. Here are 5 reasons to sign up as a member right now!” above the square white and red TYA/USA/ASSITEJ logo.]
[Slide 2 ID: Red border surrounding red text that reads “Join our monthly Zoom Affinity Groups - be a part of regular meetings with artists and industry leaders!”
above a graphic of a computer displayed with a blue grid of eleven simple silhouettes of human figured and the TYA/USA logo. Below this image is the square white and red TYA/USA/ASSITEJ logo.]
[Slide 3 ID: Red border surrounding red text that reads “submit a proposal for our annual Festival & Conference Breakout Sessions and Research & Scholarship Working Groups” above a photo of a group of ten conference goers engaged in an activity. Four of them are on the floor either seated or kneeling below a sheer piece of blue and white fabric which is held up by two of the six standing people. Two people behind the fabric are holding up small disco balls and shining flashlights on them, and two tother people observe the activity on either side. Below the image is the square white and red TYA/USA/ASSITEJ logo.]
[Slide 4 ID: Red border surrounding red text that reads “Receive a discounted fee when we launch the 2027 Festival & Conference registration on November 18th” above a geometric white, purple, and orange logo reading "2027 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference Hosted by Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis, Minnesota May 19-21” over a photo of three singers on a dark stage. The singer on the left is playing a ukulele, and the singers at center and right are behind music stands. Below the image is the square white and red TYA/USA/ASSITEJ logo.]
[Slide 5 ID: Red border surrounding red text that reads “Apply for the Circle Program, our new peer-learning initiative” above an image featuring the colorful circular logo for the TYA/USA Circle Program and a group of six seated individuals engaged in conversation in a bright room. Below the image is the square white and red TYA/USA/ASSITEJ logo.]
[Slide 6 ID: Red border surrounding red text that reads “Be featured in TYA Today Online magazine’s monthly Membership Spotlight” above a black, red, and white TYA Today Member Spotlight graphic. Below the image is the square white and red TYA/USA/ASSITEJ logo.]

08/19/2026

August Membership Spotlight! Each month, TYA/USA features profiles on 3 members creating innovative work in the Theatre for Young Audiences field. In this TYA/USA Membership Spotlight we are highlighting the work of Megan Alrutz, Neila K. Ettienne, and Lauren Sharpe!
Click here to read this article and get to know some of the leaders in our field: https://www.tyausa.org/tya-today/membership-spotlight-august-2026/

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[Slide 1 ID: white and red TYA Today logo above white text reading “August Membership Spotlight” and the smiling headshots and names of Megan Alrutz, Neila K. Ettienne, and Lauren Sharpe]
[Slide 2 ID: smiling photo of Megan Alrutz between white and red TYA Today logo above white text reading “Megan Alrutz she/her Austin, TX Director, Dramaturg, Producer, Author, Professor”]
[Slide 3 ID: smiling photo of Neila K. Ettienne between white and red TYA Today logo above white text reading “Neila K. Ettienne she/her St. George's, Grenada Educator, Theatre Practitioner, and Communications Professional”]
[Slide 4 ID: smiling photo of Lauren Sharpe between white and red TYA Today logo above white text reading “Lauren Sharpe she/her Brooklyn, NY Theater Maker, Director, and Teaching Artist”]

08/19/2026

TYA/USA invites proposals from TYA/USA membership for Working Group papers to be presented at the 2027 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Children’s Theatre Company from Wednesday May 19th to Friday May 21st, 2027. We highly encourage academics conducting research related to TYA to contribute to this Working Group and we welcome proposals from senior, early-mid career researchers, students, and independent scholars.

Click here to submit a research paper proposal and to learn more about our 2027 Festival & Conference: https://forms.gle/ssdNCFgnBHK6pfLR8

The submission deadline is Monday, September 28th.

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[Slide 1 ID: white, purple, and black text reading “Deadline September 28th, submit a paper to the Research & Scholarship Working Group” over the geometric white, purple, and orange logo reading "2027 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference Hosted by Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis, Minnesota May 19-21”]
[Slide 2 ID: black and white text in boxes over orange and purple circles reading “Working Group Overview: This year’s conference will include panels that bring research into conversation with practice. We seek proposals that examine theories and methods that explore the impact of TYA theatre and educational programming, broadly defined. Research might therefore engage with any number of theatrical forms, including but not limited to pre and post-performance workshops, arts-integrated learning activities, applied theatre, etc. The deadline to apply is Monday September 28th, 2026”]

08/18/2026

TYA/USA invites proposals from TYA/USA membership for Breakout Sessions to be conducted at the 2027 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Children’s Theatre Company from Wednesday May 19th to Friday May 21st, 2027.

Click here to submit a breakout session proposal and to learn more about our 2027 Festival & Conference: https://forms.gle/3S3BXJJaLZ3STqCG6

The submission deadline is Monday, September 28th.

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[Slide 1 ID: white, orange, and black text reading “Deadline September 28th, propose a Breakout Session” over the geometric white, purple, and orange logo reading "2027 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference Hosted by Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis, Minnesota May 19-21”]
[Slide 2 ID: black and white text in boxes over orange and purple circles reading “Submit a Breakout Session Proposal, We will review submissions on any topic, but we’re particularly interested in the following: Arts administration topics (fundraising, marketing, HR, budgeting, board relations, etc.), New Work Development Models, Community Outreach & Civic Engagement, Advocacy in the field of TYA , Intersectional EDIAJ practices) The deadline to apply is Monday September 28th, 2026”]

08/12/2026

Save the date for the 2027 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference - Wednesday May 19th to Friday May 21st, 2027! Hosted by Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the 2027 TYA/USA Festival & Conference will invite theatremakers from across the world to connect, collaborate, and imagine the future of Theatre for Young Audiences.

The Festival, featured in one of America’s great theatre cities, will present an exciting lineup of productions, world-premiere musicals, and new work development readings that showcase innovative artistic practices and partnership models for our field. Inspired by Minneapolis’ culture of community collaboration, the Conference will explore timely topics around civic engagement, advocacy, and community care. Attendees will participate in interactive breakout sessions and TYA/USA Research & Scholarship Working Group presentations led by dozens of TYA leaders, engage in dynamic conversations in affinity groups, and gain inspiration from extraordinary keynote speakers. Join colleagues from around the world to experience live theatre, exchange ideas, build lasting relationships, and advance the future of our field.

Registration opens Wednesday, November 18th, 2026. Want to be a part of our programming? We are currently accepting proposals for Breakout Sessions and submissions for papers to be reviewed by our TYA/USA Research & Scholarship Working Group! Click here to learn more about these opportunities and details about our 2027 Festival & Conference: https://www.tyausa.org/festival/

Photo featuring performers from the Song Slam Cabaret at the 2026 Festival & Conference. Photo Credit: Casey Ford.

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[ID: a geometric white, purple, and orange logo reading "2027 TYA/USA National Festival & Conference Hosted by Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis, Minnesota May 19-21” over a photo of three singers on a dark stage. The singer on the left is playing a ukulele, and the singers at center and right are behind music stands.]

08/03/2026

TYA/USA is thrilled to announce the pilot year of the Circle Program, a peer-learning initiative for self-identified mid-career TYA/USA members designed to strengthen connections across the field while fostering mutual growth, reflection, and support.
Unlike traditional mentorship programs, every participant of the Circle Program enters the program as both a learner and a contributor. Members bring their own expertise, questions, and aspirations to the circle, creating a collaborative environment where knowledge flows in multiple directions.

Click here to learn more about this new program and apply: https://www.tyausa.org/professional-development-programs/circle-program/

Photo by Casey Ford
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[Slide 1 ID: red border surrounding the colorful circular logo for the TYA/USA Circle Program, a group of six seated individuals engaged in conversation in a bright room, and white text over a green bar that reads “Applications are open for our new peer-learning initiative.”]

[Slide 2 ID: red border surrounding black and white text over a green bar and the colorful circular logo for the TYA/USA Circle Program that reads “TYA/USA is searching for self-identifying mid-career participants! The Circle Program Includes:
- A Zoom orientation with all participants on Thursday October 29th at 1:00pm EST
- Zoom Meetings with their own Circle of 4 participants at least 4 times between October 2026 and May 2027, with provided conversation guides and reflection prompts
- Gathering of all Circle participants at the 2027 Festival & Conference in May 2027
The deadline to apply is Monday September 21st, 2026 Application link is in our bio]

07/22/2026

July Membership Spotlight! Each month, TYA/USA features profiles on 3 members creating innovative work in the Theatre for Young Audiences field. In this TYA/USA Membership Spotlight we are highlighting the work of Nambi E. Kelley, Vinh G. Nguyen, and Erin O'Hara!

Click here to read this article and get to know some of the leaders in our field: https://www.tyausa.org/tya-today/membership-spotlight-july-2026

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[Slide 1 ID: white and red TYA Today logo above white text reading “July Membership Spotlight” and the smiling headshots and names of Nambi E. Kelley, Vinh G. Nguyen, and Erin O'Hara]
[Slide 2 ID: smiling photo of Nambi E. Kelley between white and red TYA Today logo above white text reading “Member Spotlight” and white text over red bar reading “Nambi E. Kelley she/her New York, NY Producer, Playwright”]
[Slide 3 ID: smiling photo of Vinh G. Nguyen between white and red TYA Today logo above white text reading “Member Spotlight” and white text over red bar reading “Vinh G. Nguyen he/they New York, NY Director, performer, puppeteer, educator, & founder of Carefree Puppetry”]
[Slide 4 ID: smiling photo of Erin O'Hara between white and red TYA Today logo above white text reading “Member Spotlight” and white text over red bar reading “Erin O'Hara she/her Honolulu, HI Teaching Artist”]

07/10/2026