Plenary: Cross Generational Influences—Network of Ensemble Theaters' Universities Symposium
Channel: HowlRound Theatre Commons
Date: 2014-11-02

Rosemary Quinn, Cristal Chanelle Truscott, Tiana K. Johnson, and Rebekah Stevens

Three generations of ensemble theatremakers, educators, and students share performances and discuss legacy, training, inter-generational collaboration.

The Network of Ensemble Theaters presents Intersection: Ensembles + Universities livestreaming from LaMama and New School University in New York City on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Friday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2, 2014. In Twitter, use #howlround to share conversation. See the livestream schedule below.

What is Intersection?
Intersection is a symposium that will launch a multi-year investigation of the connectivity between professional ensembles and colleges/universities. Across the country, NET is seeing an increase in ensemble artists working within academia, with a concomitant increase in the inclusion of ensemble practices within curriculum. In addition, universities and colleges produce many of the next generation of ensemble artists. Recognizing these already significant interrelationships, NET hopes to identify ways to serve more intentionally as a resource and connector within and between sectors.

Among the issues to be addressed in the inaugural symposium will be ensemble pedagogy and training, the practices of ensemble creation within the university structure and time frames, and how NET might serve as a pre-professional bridge between graduates and ensembles, to build connections and strengthen and track post-graduate career progress for ensemble theatremakers.

Among the questions to be explored:

• How do we create, perform, teach, and practice ensemble with in the university setting?
• What do students gain from learning ensemble practice in academia?
• What are examples and hallmarks of successful ensemble/university collaborations?
• How can universities/scholars and ensembles/artists work together to better serve one another and fulfill the goals of each?
• How does or can ensemble artmaking function as academic research? What tools, language, and structures are required?

Intersection will explore these questions and others through hands-on learning, peer-to-peer conversations, interdisciplinary workshops and performances, and community brainstorming.

What is an ensemble?
As defined by NET: "An ensemble is a group of individuals dedicated to collaborative creation, committed to working together consistently over years to develop a distinctive body of work and practices."

- See more at: http://howlround.com/livestreaming-network-of-ensemble-theaters-intersection-ensembles-universities-fri-oct-31-sun-nov-2#sthash.NZFnXbdJ.dpuf

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