July 05, 2004 -

In a Nutshell

• Fifth world congress of the International Drama/Theatre & Education Association (IDEA), an international network of drama and theatre educators, theatre artists and theatre workers
• July 2–8, 2004, in Ottawa
• Projected attendance: over 1,200 delegates from Canada and around the world
• Events open to the public:
• Directions: Theatre for Young Audiences Festival (16 plays for family audiences)
• Keynote perspectives:  presentations by international drama and education experts

Under the symbolic guidance of the inukshuk, the IDEA 2004 delegates will explore the vital role that drama and theatre can play in establishing identity and in meeting the artistic and educational needs of young people in all parts of the world.

The congress will take place July 2 through 8, 2004 at various venues in the National Capital, including the National Arts Centre, the University of Ottawa and the Westin Hotel. Over 1,200 drama and education specialists, artists and theatre workers from over 60 countries are expected to attend. The list of registrants includes more than 70 delegates subsidized by the IDEA Solidarity Fund, which strengthens the intercultural aspect of the congress by assisting applicants from financially-disadvantaged countries.

 “This is the first time the IDEA congress has been held in the Americas, and we’re delighted to welcome our colleagues from around the world to Canada’s capital city,” says IDEA president Larry O’Farrell.

IDEA 2004 conference highlights

• Directions: Theatre for Young Audiences Festival (Open to the public)
  A feast of 16 plays for family audiences, presented by leading Theatre for Young Audiences companies from Canada, Colombia and Hong Kong.
• Young IDEAs
  Canadian and international students will work together with professional artists and educators to create original theatre performances for the Congress opening and closing ceremonies.
• Special interest/themed activities
  Special interest groups will meet several times during the week to share ideas, experience and best practices on such topics as theatre for community development; drama/theatre and special needs education; drama/theatre and therapy; drama/theatre in new art forms and media; and drama/theatre and gender issues.
• The Agora
  An informal marketplace offering delegates a unique set of displays and networking opportunities.

Keynote perspectives, workshops, round tables and panel discussions
(Selected events open to the public)
presented by over 300 international experts from a wide diversity of cultural, artistic and pedagogical backgrounds, including:

• Prof. David Booth (Canada):  One of Canada’s foremost drama educators, internationally recognized for his contributions to the field through his prolific scholarly publications and his experience as an engaging master teacher.
• Monique Rioux (Canada): Award-winning playwright and director, co-founder of acclaimed Montreal-based children’s theatre company Les Deux Mondes.
• Arturo Morell (Mexico): Founder of the Pastorelas Festival that has revived an ancient ecclesiastical form as a secular instrument for social and cultural development. His approach has been widely adopted in helping inmates in the Mexican prison system.
• Dr. Richard Deasy (USA): Assistant State Superintendent of Schools for Maryland and Director of the Arts Education Partnership, a non-profit coalition of education, arts, business, philanthropic, and governmental organizations that demonstrate and promote the essential role of arts education.
• Dr. Roslyn Arnold (Australia): Dean and Head of School, University of Tasmania, Australia, published poet and novelist, and respected researcher and scholar in the fields of drama and theatre in education.

For detailed, regularly-updated information (including event schedules, speaker profiles, and information about events open to the public), please visit the IDEA 2004 Web site: www.idea2004.ca

IDEA was established in Porto, Portugal in 1992. Previous congresses have been held in Porto, Portugal (1992); Brisbane, Australia (1995); Kisumu, Kenya (1998); and Bergen, Norway (2001). The next congress will be held in 2007 in Hong Kong.

IDEA’s honorary patrons are Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul, C.C.

The host organization is Theatre Canada, a national umbrella association for community and educational theatre.  Supporting partners are the National Arts Centre, Prologue to the Performing Arts, and the University of Ottawa (Faculty of Education).

IDEA 2004 gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, as well as The Council of Drama & Dance in Education (CODE), the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)/University of Toronto, the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board (OCCSB), the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), Queen’s University, the Sears Ontario Drama Festival, and the University of Victoria.

Media contact (accreditation, press kits, interviews):
Diana Tyndale, Publicity & Media Relations Coordinator
Piranha Communications (Ottawa)
Tel. (613) 233-0666, ext. 1 / Fax (613) 233-5153
ghostfish55@yahoo.ca

IDEA 2004 information & registration:
Vladimir Torres, Congress and Volunteer Coordinator
Tel. (613) 237-3503
v.torres@ideaworldcongress.ca