2025 Fall Conference Focus

Branching Out: Cultivating Voices, Stories, & Connections

We are so thrilled that you’ll be joining us for ACTAA's 107th Fall Conference under this year’s theme: Branching Out: Cultivating Voices, Stories & Connections. Here is what the conference is about—using the theme as our guide:

“Branching Out”

This conference invites us to grow beyond familiar branches—to explore new teaching practices, listen to untapped voices, and develop a collective learning. We need to stretch outward while staying grounded in our core mission: devoted to the rigorous study and ethical practice of professional communication, debate, and theatre arts as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form as components of the core curriculum, as well as providing a platform for expression for ALL, teacher and student alike.

“Cultivating Voices”

We’re here to nurture the speakers, storytellers, and thinkers in us all. Whether that’s coaching students through persuasive speeches, dramatic monologues, or directing a one-act—we need to be empowering each individual to feel confident, heard, and proud of what they say.

“Stories”

Storytelling is at the heart of what we do—from interpretation events to staged scenes to persuasive advocacy. At this conference, focus on and listen to one another's stories. This is what enables us to bridge empathy, illuminate ideas, and deepen our impact as educators and performers—in short, let's focus on being human.

“Connections”

This conference isn’t just about learning—it’s about building relationships. Through shared sessions in content areas (debate, forensics, professional communication, theatre) plus networking gatherings, you'll have the opportunity to form collaborations, mentor partnerships, and new friendships. It’s the connections that help sustain us long after the final luncheon.

What This Means for You

• Come ready to explore—new proposals, new teacher content, and new ways to support your students.

• Experience story-focused learning—sessions will invite you to listen, reflect, rehearse, and perform.

• Walk away with new collaborators—faces you’ll want to email, plan lessons with, and cheer on through seasons.

We can’t wait to see how you branch out, what stories you share, and the connections you make along the way!

Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association is a non-profit community of professionals devoted to the rigorous study and ethical practice of professional communication, debate, dance, and theatre as an essential discipline, life skill, and art form in Arkansas.