Programs and Events
AATE's National Conference is the keystone of its programming and has occurred annually since 1937. Held in a different city each year, the conference is a haven for theatre artists, playwrights, youth theatre directors, education directors, theatre education scholars, teachers, and students from around the world to exchange ideas and best practices in the field of theatre and education. As AATE programming has grown over the years, conference is not the only place where AATE members gather throughout the year. Check out other AATE events where theatre artists and educators gather to inspire one another.
The AATE Symposium Series is a 3 day conference that has been held annually since 2013. It is held in a different city and with a different partnering organization each year. Each Symposia focuses on a different, specific topic each year.
A 4-day collaborative retreat for writers, playwrights, theatre artists and educators–anyone who needs a creative getaway to escape from or pause the noise of daily life in order to gather in a secluded haven to activate. The all-inclusive fee includes transfer from NYC, retreat registration, and meals.
AATE's Theatre in our Schools (TIOS) project is a chance for us to celebrate and promote the art of theatre and to remind us that theatre is essential in people's lives. This campaign promotes theatre for youth at all levels all across America by making the public aware of the positive impact that theatre has on students. TIOS mini-conferences are regional professional development events with keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions designed to elevate standards in theatre education and to raise awareness of the importance of theatre in schools and schools in theatres.
The AATE Awards honor exceptional individuals as well as organizations for the high quality work they perform in the field of theatre with and for young audiences. Recipients represent the best of our field and inspire others with the outstanding work, commitment, and dedication that make us proud to count them among our colleagues and allies. The AATE Awards are presented annually at the National Conference.
AATE’s Leaders of Color Institute (LOCI) is a space for artists, teachers, arts professionals, administrators, and anyone who wants to learn from and interact with leaders in the field.
This dedicated space only for people of color will provide professional development opportunities that include peer exchange, artistic vision, and leadership skill development.
AATE offers two (2) flexible, self-paced opportunities to deepen your practice and gain recognition:
Earn Graduate Credit by engaging with 12+ hours of curated, asynchronous workshops from AATE’s Library and completing a final project—just $125 per credit through Trinity University.
Teaching Artist Certificate: Complete 24 hours of approved professional learning over two years and submit a final reflection to earn your Certificate of Study.
The goal of The American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) Mentorship program is to provide mentors to AATE members. The Mentorship program is a year long cohort of mentees (emerging careers or career changers) and mentors (those who have been identified as having exceptional experience in the field). The mentor/mentee relationship focuses on five of the six core values for AATE: providing leadership, ensuring professionalism, promoting quality, creating community, and championing diversity.
Playwrights for Change is a national 10-minute playwriting competition organized by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) that empowers young people and adult playwrights to explore social issues through the lens of theatre. Centered around an annual theme—in 2025, "Empathy in Action"—the program invites middle and high school students, as well as AATE member adults, to craft original short plays that inspire dialogue and promote change. Winning plays are recognized nationally, with selected works showcased during a virtual festival and featured in educational anthologies, amplifying new voices and perspectives in the field of theatre for young audiences.
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