Registration Now Open for 2016 Queer Youth Theater Conference

Registration is now open for the 2016 Queer Youth Theater Conference (Conference), an annual gathering of artists, activists, educators, directors, students, and community organizers. The Conference is an annual event of the Pride Youth Theater Alliance (PYTA), a growing network that advances the practice of Queer Youth Theater by providing emerging and established leaders in the field with resources and opportunities to exchange collaborate and learn. The 2016 Conference will be held in Memphis, TN on August 18-21, at Playhouse On The Square - a PYTA Member Organization and 2015 Incubator Fund Grantee.

PYTA is requesting proposals from facilitators to lead workshops, sessions, presentations, and demonstrations on best practices in theatre education, theatre-making, youth leadership, queer advocacy, community organizing, and program development. Proposals can be submitted online through the PYTA website. The submission form will be open through June 30, 2016.

Scholarships are available for a small number of Conference participants who require funding to cover transportation, lodging, and registrations costs. The application form is available on the PYTA website and will be open through June 30, 2016.

The 2016 Conference Host, Playhouse On The Square, will be providing space, volunteers, and community connections to the Memphis region that will certainly make this year's Conference a huge success. Jackie Nichols, Executive Producer at Playhouse On The Square, exclaims, "We are thrilled to welcome PYTA to Memphis and to Playhouse On The Square. We can't wait for you to experience our culturally rich city, and we are proud to provide a place to further the important conversations and change that take place at PYTA's conference."

PYTA was formed to unite Queer Youth Theater directors, whose programs were developed as isolated responses to local pressures or interests. Today, this thriving alliance promotes successful models of Queer Youth Theater programming through financial support, pedagogical resources, and advocacy for artists, activists, youth, and educators. Current PYTA member organizations are located in 20 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.