Have you ever wanted to create your own theatrical performance, but felt that the theatrical industrial complex was just too daunting? BIPOC arts instigator and early-career producer Amber Holder will speak at an IUP Theatre and Dance Forum on Friday, September 10, from 4:40 to 5:30 p.m. in the Waller Hall main theater. A brief talk on creating a performing arts career with radical programming in this "gig economy" will be followed by an interview and questions from attendees. Attendees who are inspired should plan to attend her Saturday workshop.
Amber recently directed Monteze Freeland's 10-minute play A Post-Apocalypic Romantic Comedy for City Theatre in Pittsburgh. She is a guest artist visiting IUP's Theater-by-the-Grove this semester. Her visit is sponsored by IUP's Diversity and Inclusion Fund, managed by the Office of Social Equity and Title IX.
Amber will present a weekend workshop, “Creating Small-scale Productions,” on Saturday, September 11, 10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (with a lunch break). Register for the workshop.
Workshop Description
Do you have inspiration to stage a show, but have no idea where to begin with all the logistics of creating a full production? This workshop will take you through the entire master to-do list to tackle any small-scale production. We'll discuss how to wear multiple hats, how to delegate, when to reach out to collaborators, and how to make decisions about your budget.
- 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Tackling the To-Do List
- 2:00–5:30 p.m. Getting Started on a New Work
About Amber Holder
Since moving to Pittsburgh in January 2019, Amber has had the privilege of working as an artistic intern and later artistic fellow at City Theatre Company, artistic assistant for Pittsburgh CLO's New Musicals Weekend, administrative assistant for demaskus Theater Collective, and program and event sales manager at the New Hazlett Theater. Amber is deeply committed to changing the theater through radical programming, staffing and casting diversification, inquiry, authenticity and laughter. She believes most strongly in the interdisciplinary potential of the arts. Amber holds a bachelor of arts in music and a master of arts in musicology from the Pennsylvania State University.