The goals of the OCTA Responder Training Program:

·       Obtaining a balance between rewarding theater groups with encouragement and meaningful critiques (achieved through keen observation, a practiced eye, and fairness) as well as cultivating a willingness to be exposed to new ideas.

·       Judging the merits of the choices made in the performance (not what you think should have been done).

·       Empowering producing theaters to not only receive positive reinforcement of their performances’ strengths, but a willingness to consider additional possibilities and useful tools to inform their future work.

·       Crafting verbal responses that aid the audience’s comprehension of what they have seen and provide new insights.

In the past, the OCTA Responder Training Program has provided adjudication training in an in-person format. This year, we have designed a hybrid approach that will provide more flexibility for potential responders.

Suggested format:

Session 1 (ONLINE): Intro/Information Session (30-45 minutes)

·       OCTA responder overview

·       Review course lesson plan

·       Getting to know you

·       Assignments for upcoming sessions

Session 2 (ONLINE): (60-90 minutes)

·       Adjudication guidelines

·       Preparation for adjudication

·       Tools for successful notetaking

·       Adjudication traps

·       Assignment #1 work

Session 3 (ONLINE): (90 minutes)

·       Writing your opening statement

·       Determining the focus of your response

·       Writing your written critique

·       Negotiating with fellow adjudicators

·       Assignments #2 & #3 work

Session #4 (IN PERSON) – Various Regional Conferences

Trainees will attend one (or more, if they so choose) of the following regional conferences. This year, they will be:

·       Central on June 1 at Licking County Players: Newark, OH

·       Northwest on June 7-8 at Maumee Indoor Theatre: Maumee, OH

·       West on July 5 at Troy Civic Theatre: Troy, OH

OCTA will ask one of the theater groups performing at that regional conference to allow the trainees to respond to their excerpt. This would happen in another room following the responses from the three official adjudicators.

Trainees would view the excerpt and then leave the room immediately following the excerpt. The theater group’s directors, actors, and any crew members will enter the trainee room, and each trainee will present their three-minute oral response to the group. Trainees will then receive feedback about their response from the theater group, the instructor, and selected representatives of OCTA.

Trainees will meet following their responses to wrap up, reflect, and receive certificates.

 

Don't delay, sign up today to secure your spot! Online sessions will begin in April and continue thru end of May and will be based on trainees' schedules. https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/octa/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzQ1