Theatre in Our Schools:
'26 Workshop Series

AATE is pleased to present an ongoing community conversation series focused on bringing awareness to the importance of theatre education in our schools.
AATE Members can access recordings of
completed sessions below:

CLICK HERE FOR 2021-2025 WORKSHOP RECORDINGS
*note you will be prompted to sign into your AATE account

Upcoming Sessions: 

Expressing through African Theatre 
Monday, February 2nd at 7 pm (EDT)  Register HERE

In this virtual workshop, teachers will learn how to guide students in developing critical thinking and communication skills through African Theatre practices, including movement, call-and-response, rhythm, and collaborative storytelling. Educators will explore the foundations of African storytelling traditions—why they matter, how they preserve culture and community, and how they can be used to elevate student voice and identity in the classroom. Teachers will learn strategies for helping students identify and communicate emotions physically and verbally, create an original Nigerian Praise Poem, and turn their writing into a performance through imaginative play. In addition, the workshop will highlight the importance of equitable lesson planning, showing how culturally responsive content fosters belonging, representation, and inclusive learning environments where all students feel seen and valued.

Desirée Dabney is an award-winning actor, singer, director, producer, theatre educator, and activist whose work bridges artistry, education, and advocacy. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2014 and her Master of Teaching from the University of Richmond, and she is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education Curriculum. Her artistry and leadership have earned her numerous honors, including Shenandoah University’s Distinguished Alumni Award (2022), recognition in Richmond’s Style Weekly Top 40 Under 40 (2023), and a feature in NBC12’s Distinguished Black History Tribute (2023). She also made history as the first Black woman to develop theatre curriculum for the Virginia Department of Education, while also creating transformative theatre courses for Richmond Public Schools. A dynamic director, Desirée has directed more than 100 productions, with recent credits including Once on This Island, SpongeBob the Musical, She Persisted, the award-winning How Black Mothers Say I Love You, and the sold-out 2023 inaugural staging of Rent as Head of Musical Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University. As a mentor, she has guided countless theatre teachers and continues to transform theatre education with innovation, inclusivity, and vision. In addition to her directing and academic leadership, Desirée teaches powerful workshops around the world, creating inclusive spaces where diverse voices are not only seen but truly heard. Beyond the stage, she has served as Head of Musical Theatre at VCU’s School of the Arts, a Board Member for the Virginia Department of Education in Fine Arts (Theatre), and an Elected Board Director of the Educational Theatre Association. She is also a Shuler Awards Adjudicator in Georgia and the Owner/Executive Director of Theatre Diva Productions. Passionate about equity and representation in the arts, Desirée is dedicated to ensuring that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) performers—and all artists—have the opportunity to thrive on stage and beyond.