The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region 3 took place at the Krannert Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign on January 3-7, 2012. Over 1200 college students from around the region participated in a series of workshops, showcased productions, and received awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design.
ASTEP’s Abby Gerdts engaged with over 50 students through two workshops: Artist as Citizen - encourage dialogue about the artist’s role as citizen to strengthen communities; and Creative Pedagogy in Community - teach techniques for how to use the arts to empower and educate:
“The most memorable moment of my experience at the festival in Illinois came after I had finished one of the workshops on Friday afternoon. I had invited some students to stay afterwards to continue the discussion and talk about how to put some of the ideas from the workshop into practice. When I asked them all what they had gotten out of the workshop, one young woman responded by saying, ’I always figured that this room, this conversation, existed. This is the first time I’ve ever known it for sure. I wish I could take you all with me when I leave!’ Her reaction to the workshop was very reassuring that the work that ASTEP is doing is relevant and necessary across the nation.” — Abby Gerdts
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If you’re from the Urbana-Champaign area and interested in getting involved in your community, check out this list of youth services doing great work:
- It Starts At Home Youth Program - gives youth the tools needed to become an active, positive entity within their community, from adolescence into adulthood, through promoting academic achievement, leadership, civic engagement and continuation of education.
- WRFU-LP Urbana 104.5FM – a local radio station dedicated to focusing on social justice issues
- Community Elements - provides a range of prevention, intervention, and mental health treatment services for individuals and families.
Group uses the arts to inspire kids to aim high
While at the Region 3 Festival, Abby sat down with an arts reporter from the News-Gazette, a local Champaign paper. The article, which can be found in the Arts Beat section, captures Abby’s path and her work with ASTEP. A good read!
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Video contributions from KCACTF Region 3 students
Brenna Kempf, University of Wisconsin Parkside
Bridget McCarthy, Hope College
Rob Lunak, Concordia University-Chicago
Annie Walaszeck, University of Wisconsin Parkside
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Student design work for the costume showcase
