Apply to Present at TEC
Join the Ensemble of Theatre Educators and Researchers
Share your expertise, innovation, and inquiry with peers at TEC 2026.
Theatre educators are lifelong learners and leaders. Each year at the Theatre Education Conference (TEC), teachers, artists, and scholars come together to exchange ideas, deepen their craft, and advance theatre education for students everywhere. We invite you to be part of that conversation by submitting a proposal to present an educational workshop, pedagogy in practice presentation, or participate in a research-in-progress roundtable.
Apply below to present at TEC 2026.
Deadline: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Important Dates
| October 15, 2025 | First day to apply |
| December 10, 2025 | Last day to apply |
| Mid-January 2026 | Invitations issued to presenters |
| Mid-February 2026 | Presenters announced |
What We’re Looking For
EdTA seeks proposals that embody innovation, collaboration, and excellence in theatre education. Submissions are welcome from educators, scholars, artists, and community practitioners at all career stages. You may submit in one or all of the following categories:
Research Roundtables
Research roundtables are a highlight of the TEC experience. These sessions provide a collaborative space for scholars and practitioners to share research-in-progress, exchange ideas, and build new connections across the field. Each roundtable will feature 3–5 presenters and be facilitated by an experienced arts education researcher to encourage dialogue and constructive feedback.
Proposals should define:
- How innovation is reflected in the work;
- The study’s potential impact on theatre education practice, policy, or future research.
Intended Outcomes
- Knowledge Exchange and Cross-Pollination: Share current research, methodologies, and findings to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and inspire new inquiry.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: Identify pressing challenges in education and generate collective, research-informed strategies.
- Network and Partnership Development: Build connections to support ongoing collaboration, mentorship, and research-practice partnerships.
Pedagogy in Practice Presentation
These 15-minute presentations aim to provide participants with actionable strategies and adaptable frameworks to enhance their teachings, theatrical, or research practices. Through interrogation of practice and reflective inquiry, attendees gain tools, strategies, or approaches to be implemented in their own context. Presentations will be grouped thematically to create a full 60-minute session for conference participants.
Proposals should emphasize:
- Innovative practice or inquiry-based methods in the field;
- Research-based or arts-integrated approaches;
- Applications for K-12 theatre classrooms, professional or regional theatres, or community settings.
Intended Outcomes
- Foster Interdisciplinary Dialogue: Create space for exchange across disciplines and projects to enrich understanding and uplift the vibrant ecosystem of theatre education.
- Empower Practitioner-Scholars: Validate and elevate the role of educators and practitioners as researchers and creators of knowledge and active inquiry-based pedagogues.
- Disseminate Innovative Practice: Share findings and methodologies that bridge theory and practice and solve practical issues or problems in the field.
Educational Workshops
Workshops at TEC provide interactive professional learning experiences that leverage the principles of theatre pedagogy to advance equity, inclusion, and innovation in classrooms and communities. Grounded in embodied learning, collaboration, and reflective practice, workshops engage participants actively and practically, helping educators apply what they learn directly to their teaching.
Proposals should emphasize:
- Experiential, participatory learning;
- Arts-integrated or theatre-based strategies;
- Applications for K–12 theatre classrooms or community settings.
Intended Outcomes
- Facilitate Inclusive, Student-Centered Learning: Equip educators with theatre-based tools to create inclusive classrooms.
- Advance Equity Through Experiential Inquiry: Deepen participants’ understanding of equity through arts-based experiences.
- Cultivate Reflective, Culturally Responsive Practice: Support educators in developing reflective and responsive teaching methods.
Selection Process
- Artistic excellence of the content;
- Educational merit, standards alignment, and achievable learning goals;
- DEIA goals for representation and culturally and historically responsive instruction;
- Relevance to EdTA’s mission, vision, and values.
Final selections are made by EdTA staff and an outside panel of adjudicators from the field based on scores and scheduling needs. Presenters must be available July 22–24, 2026.
Ready to Apply?
The proposal submission window closes at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on December 10, 2025. Thank you to all who share their expertise and creativity with the theatre education community.
Questions?
Have questions about presenting at TEC? We’re happy to help.