Friday, Aug 29

9:30am - 10:00am

Registration

Location: Mezzanine

10:00am - 12:00pm

2 hr PD

Improv for Everyone

Facilitators: TheatreSquared’s Arts Engagement Director, Morgan Hicks and Director of Education, Emily Tomlinson

Location: Meeting Room 3 (Theatre)

Improv is an essential life skill, yet not everyone is a natural. Join this interactive session where we will scaffold together to develop improv skills. They will be useful to you as a person and will give you a model to take back to your classroom.

Interest Areas: Theatre, Prof Comm

Argumentation & Refutation: The Foundation of Debate and Persuasive Speaking

Facilitators: Antha Johnson (Fayetteville High), Martene Campbell (Episcopal Collegiate), 

Jessica Skordal (Bentonville West)

Location: Ballroom 2

Novices to the field and seasoned coaches can all benefit from a foundational understanding. Join this session as a refresher or as a moment of enlightenment for understanding key components of persuasive rhetoric. 

Interest Areas: Debate & Forensics

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

1.5 hr PD

Luncheon and Keynote Address

Location: Ballroom 1

Opening Remarks Zackery Tucker, ACTAA President, ASU Beebe

The association will join together for a provided lunch to begin celebrating successes in the profession and organization. Keynote Address - Bradley Webber

"Argument or Advocacy: Moving Communication Arts Forward in Arkansas"

Bradley Webber, a former ACTAA Administrator of the Year, now the Arkansas Leadership Academy Director, will share his insights into how ACTAA can best serve its members throughout the state of Arkansas.

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

1hr PD

Multidisciplinary Caucus

Facilitator(s): 

Eric Gamble, Professional Communication Representative (Dardanelle High School), 

Colton Gilbert, Debate Representative (Little Rock Central High School), Graci Johnson. Theatre Representative (Springdale High School),

Darianne Mull, Forensics Representative (Pinnacle View Middle School)

Location: Ballroom

During this session, content representatives will collaborate to improve this resource before sharing it with our members.

Interest Areas: Debate, Forensics, Professional Comm, & Theatre

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

2 hr PD

Sound Mixing for Stage and Classroom 

Presenter(s): Tim Peerbolte (Greenwood High School)

Location: Meeting Room 2

In this hands-on tech workshop, learn how to use multitrack recording for your tech students to get extra practice behind the soundboard. Multitracks are a great way to practice without having to have a full band or musical onstage. Learn how to help your tech students get those rehearsal hours in.

Interest Areas: Theatre & Professional Comm

Tournament Advisory Committee (TAC) Forum/ Tournament Shell Presentation

Facilitator: Zakery Tucker (ASU Beebe)

Location: Ballroom 2

Join us as we discuss our tournament season for the 2025-26 academic year and potential changes.

Interest Areas: Debate & Forensics

4:30pm - 6:00pm

1.5 hr PD

Joint Interest Session for all Members*

Facilitator(s): Zackery Tucker (ASU Beebe) & Jessica Skordal (Bentonville West)

Location: Ballroom 2

Conflict Resolution for Disparate Thinkers

Join this interactive role-playing session where Zack and Jessica guide us through conflict scenarios and allow members to have fun, problem-solve, and give insight into their conflict management style.

*If a committee plans to meet during this time, chairs should email lharrison@bentonvillek12.org to book a room and get listed on the schedule.