The ACTF/LORT ASPIRE Leadership Fellows Program is designed to cultivate a new generation of artistic and administrative leaders for the American Theater with a focus of engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and members of other groups that are consistently underrepresented in the field. This diverse national cohort of fellows assembled from all of ACTF’s eight regions will engage in topics concerning equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism as well as leadership skills building, investigation of institutional challenges, and professional networking opportunities.
For more information about the ASPIRE program and the application process, please contact LORT EDI Co-Chair Kelvin Dinkins, Jr. (General Manager, Yale Repertory Theatre, kelvin.dinkins@yale.
One student from Region III nationally (as well as a small number of participants from the virtual cohort) will be selected as the Region 3 ASPIRE Recipient.
ASPIRE Arts Leadership Regional Festival 2026
Students interested in the world of arts leadership are encouraged to register for this program. Whether you hope to become an artistic leader or you are curious about how theaters operate, ASPIRE is a fantastic festival opportunity, and 2026 offers us the opportunity to connect both virtually and in-person with fellow theater artists and leaders from across the country. ASPIRE Arts Leadership programming will include workshops and discussions curated by all of ACTF’s ASPIRE Regional Coordinators, National ASPIRE Chair Stefanie Sertich and the National ASPIRE team.
How to participate in the program at the regional festival/conference
The ASPIRE program is an opportunity for students at all levels of experience who are interested in theatre arts leadership. Enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who are at least part-time at the time of the creation/completion of the project may apply. We encourage applications from students of color, women, and members of other groups that are consistently underrepresented in the field. Others may also apply.
Virtual ASPIRE Arts Leadership Event – TBA
Attend a roundtable discussion with a panel of professional artistic and administrative leaders of theatre companies on topics concerning equity, diversity, and inclusion, leadership skills building, institutional challenges, and professional networking opportunities.
ASPIRE | THE CREATIVE PITCH
ASPIRE students will create and pitch a theatrical season and/or a new theater company to a selectors panel of theatre professionals. Students are welcome to consider the current impact of COVID-19 on the performing arts industry. However, the current pandemic should not limit the student’s imagination in the creation of their company. This exercise will prepare ASPIRE students to think critically about leadership styles, programming, and models while demonstrating the student’s ability to think outside the box. The following is a set of recommended guidelines to help prepare an effective pitch:
- Students have 5 minutes to present their pitch followed by 5 minutes to take questions from the selectors; students will be responsible for allocating their own time accordingly.
- The presentation must include the name of the theater company, the mission of the theater company, where the theater company or theatrical season will take place (town, city, state, country), and play titles/authors (if known).
- Students are invited to be as innovative, creative, and practical as possible in their presentations and should pitch a compelling theatrical season/theater company using whatever resources are available to them.
- Students should articulate the role and relevance of their season and/or new theater company in terms of audience, community, and efforts towards greater diversity.
- Students should be mindful that while budgets, season calendars, and other higher-level elements of a theatre’s operations are important, the allotted time does not provide the selectors a chance to review these materials critically. Emphasis on mission, values, season selection, and on audience and community engagement is strongly encouraged.
- Students are encouraged to work independently and consider all the elements of producing and theater management necessary to support a theatrical season or theater company’s vision and infrastructure.
- Any handouts provided for the pitch must have enough copies for each selector.
- Any AV/tech/projector needs should be cleared and tested in advance of the pitch.
- Students must also provide a bio of up to 150 words for the interview
The selectors will be evaluating pitches based on the student’s ability to effectively communicate a vision, demonstrate knowledge of theatre and arts management, and incorporate audience and community values into their mission. The finalists chosen by the selectors will move on to the second round of ASPIRE interviews to select one finalist to join the ASPIRE weeklong fellowship at KCACTF in Washington, D.C.
Following the pitch round, the guest respondents will deliberate and choose students to invite to the final interview round.
Respondents at the centralized event will select one student from Region 3 to attend the ASPIRE Leadership Intensive at the National Festival in Washington, D.C. in April.
How to Apply
Apply to participate in the Region 3 ASPIRE Leadership Intensive below. Applications must be submitted on or before December 20, 2024. Students will be notified of their acceptance into the regional ASPIRE intensive by December 30.
The application should include:
- Your mission, vision, values statements for your theatre company
- Your statement of leadership philosophy.
- Your inaugural season slate of four productions along with a statement of why they fit your vision.
- Your equity, diversity, and inclusion plan
Christiana Molldrem Harkulich
ASPIRE Coordinator
Instructor of Theatre
Eastern Illinois University, Dept. of Theatre