Institute for Theater Journalism and Advocacy
ITJA
The Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy (ITJA) was established to assist in elevating the level of arts criticism, journalism, and advocacy; and to provide writers the opportunity to grow at the same pace as the artists whose work they review, celebrate, and interpret.
Pursuing a career in arts journalism doesn't necessarily mean becoming a theater critic, attending stage shows every night and submitting reviews on deadline the following morning. Thanks to the growing world of digital media, the opportunities available for arts journalists these days are limitless: writing magazine-style profiles of up-and-coming talent, chatting with Broadway legends on podcast shows, filming backstage walkthroughs on TikTok, analyzing works through compelling essays, holding power players accountable with investigative reports, and so much more. And as many theater artists also work in the film, TV and music industries, so do its journalists.
Regardless of their specialties and platforms, today's top arts journalists work hard to serve audiences, creatives and the future of the theater itself. They help share the stories of the storytellers through interviews, research and other reporting techniques; they advocate for the health and growth of a multifaceted industry; they help to capture an ephemeral, performance-based craft. Though they aren't onstage eight times a week, they're a valuable part of the art form we love.
Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
2019 ITJA Participant, Gabriela Velasquez (University of Missouri). Photo by Teresa Castracane.
The Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy (ITJA) was established to assist in elevating the level of arts criticism, journalism, and advocacy; and to provide writers the opportunity to grow at the same pace as the artists whose work they review, celebrate, and interpret.
Pursuing a career in arts journalism doesn't necessarily mean becoming a theater critic, attending stage shows every night and submitting reviews on deadline the following morning. Thanks to the growing world of digital media, the opportunities available for arts journalists these days are limitless: writing magazine-style profiles of up-and-coming talent, chatting with Broadway legends on podcast shows, filming backstage walkthroughs on TikTok, analyzing works through compelling essays, holding power players accountable with investigative reports, and so much more. And as many theater artists also work in the film, TV and music industries, so do its journalists.
Regardless of their specialties and platforms, today's top arts journalists work hard to serve audiences, creatives and the future of the theater itself. They help share the stories of the storytellers through interviews, research and other reporting techniques; they advocate for the health and growth of a multifaceted industry; they help to capture an ephemeral, performance-based craft. Though they aren't onstage eight times a week, they're a valuable part of the art form we love.
Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
Program
Students can participate in ITJA in-person at their Regional Festival. The programming will consist of workshops, master classes, and discussions curated by all of KCACTF’s ITJA coordinators, and National ITJA Director, Billy McEntee.
Students interested in the world of arts reporting, writing and criticism are encouraged to register for this program. Whether you hope to become a professional arts journalist or just love writing about theater and want to learn more about it, ITJA is a fantastic festival opportunity, and offers us the opportunity to connect with fellow theater artists and writers.
Eligibility
The Institute for Theater Journalism and Advocacy seeks students in ALL disciplines who want to explore how they can best advocate for theater and the performing arts using written, oral, and other communication skills as their media. The most important things to bring are a passion for good theater, an appreciation for the people who make these performances happen, and an active, inquiring mind.
To be eligible, students must be enrolled at an institution at the time of the program or have graduated within the last year.
At the end of all eight regional festivals, four of the eight regional ITJA awardees will be chosen to attend the National Festival in Washington, D.C. following review of the work they created during their regional festival.
How to Participate
Visit your Region’s website for more information about the program at your regional festival, and how to sign up.
National ITJA Director
National ITJA Director
Billy McEntee is a Brooklyn-based writer. He’s the Theater Editor at The Brooklyn Rail and has contributed to publications including The Washington Post, Playbill, and Vanity Fair. He was the inaugural Terry Helbing Fellow from the American Theatre Critics Association and teaches with The School of The New York Times. He’s made plays through a Queens Arts Council grant and at The Brick Theater and St. Lydia’s in New York City. @wjmcentee / billymcentee.com
Questions for KCACTF's ITJA program? Email Billy McEntee at [email protected].
Regional ITJA Coordinators
Region 1 - Don Gagnon, West Connecticut State University, [email protected]
Region 2 - Ralph Leary, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] and Carrie Winship, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, [email protected]
Region 3 - Jane Purse Wiedenhoft, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, [email protected]
Region 4 - Andre Minkins, Winston-Salem State University, [email protected]
Region 5 - Susan Hansen, Riverland Community College [email protected]
Region 6 - Kevin Crouch, Sam Houston State University, [email protected] and Biz Nelson, Trinity Valley Community College, [email protected]
Region 7 - Christina Gutierrez-Dennehy, Western Washington University, [email protected]
Region 8 - Shaunte Caraballo, California State University Dominguez Hills, [email protected]