NEA Arts Journalism Institute for Theater and Musical Theater

2010 Institute: May 17-27, 2010

"Nearly a hundred and twenty-five journalists have gone through the NEA Institute over the past five years and many of its alums have taken leadership roles in what's looking to be a steady arts journalism comeback," said Sasha Anawalt, founder and director of the NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater. "We look forward to helping re-imagine and rebuild the field through multimedia storytelling and excellent writing standards."

The NEA Institute in Theater and Musical Theater is an 11-day intensive workshop for writers, editors, broadcast and online producers from the 50 states and Puerto Rico. Based in Los Angeles, the fellowship provides a total immersion experience that includes attending as many as ten performances or rehearsals. Participants will meet theater professionals ranging from directors and administrators of L.A.'s primary theater companies to critics of national stature, who will engage them individually for writing instruction and exercises. Professional sessions addressing changes in the media industry will be offered and special attention will be paid to building multimedia skills and storytelling. No specialized knowledge of theater is required. Staff journalists and freelancers who work in print, radio, TV, or online media are welcome to apply.

Annenberg Institute for Justice and Journalism senior fellow Victor Merina leads a writing class. Photo courtesy of the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism.

"In good times and bad, theater is an art form that has always been important to Americans," said Geneva Overholser, director of USC Annenberg's School of Journalism. "For journalists, theater provides a view of people's social, political, economic, and psychological concerns that can sometimes be more truthful and illuminating than real stories and hard news. Arts journalism is vital to the whole picture."

Faculty and speakers at previous institutes include Robert Brustein, founding director and creative consultant of American Repertory Theater; Gordon Davidson, artistic director of Center Theatre Group; Thomas Leabhart, resident artist and professor of Theatre at Pomona College; Douglas McLennan, editor and founder of Artsjournal.com; Dean Madeline Puzo of USC School of Theatre; Steven Leigh Morris, playwright and critic-at-large for L.A. Weekly, and Jack Viertel, artistic director of New York City Center Encores! and creative director of Jujamcyn Theaters.

Keynote addresses have been given by Luis Alfaro, playwright; John Lahr, author and theater critic for The New Yorker; Sandra Tsing Loh, journalist, actress, and playwright; Steven Leigh Morris, and Carey Perloff, artistic director of San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater.

For more information visit: http://annenberg.usc.edu/nea

National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency
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