NYS Theatre Education Conference

Eighteen Hauppauge High School juniors and seniors attended the 20th Annual Student New York State Theatre Education Association (NYSTEA) Conference, January 6-8, 2017, at the Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon, New York. This is the 18th year that Hauppauge High School has sent students representatives to the NYSTEA student conference.

The NYSTEA conference creates an opportunity for approximately 800 high school students from across New York State to come together for a full weekend of learning and peer interaction. The students attend workshops given by colleges, universities and other theatre professionals, as well as network with one another and experience a variety of performances throughout the Conference.

For the NYSTEA student conference delegates, this conference is a highlight of their high school career. In the more than 100 workshop offerings, students receive expert instruction in technical theatre, acting, dance and voice. Meeting and sharing interests with other similarly-minded students from every region of the state is paramount to working collaboratively, gaining self-confidence and exploring new areas of learning. This conference is a testament to how “theatre transforms students’ lives!”

NYSTEA believes that theatre is an essential component of a pre-K-12 education for all students. Studying theatre in schools develops abilities needed for the 21st century, including critical thinking, problem-solving skills, applications of technology, social responsibility and creativity. In addition to the annual NYSTEA student conference, the organization provides resources to educators teaching theatre in the classroom, directing school drama and musical presentations and hosts a conference for educators every fall.