Youth Performance Academy

Why Rediscover History on Stage?

The Athens Chautauqua Society is in the business of “rediscovering history, one performance at a time”...for young people too. We support teaching this model of live performance in the classroom similarly to the way it plays out on public stages across America. That way students can learn how to become playwrights and performers, Chautauqua style, wherever history might come to life for them.

Please enjoy the conversations!

DEBRA CONNER & JOEY MADIA
PART ONE

“It remains a mystery to me as to how I got in this business”
- Debra Conner

“I came out of the womb knowing I wanted to tell stories”
- Joey Madia

For more info on Joey Madia CLICK HERE

SONNY KELLY & BRUCE COLLIER - PART ONE

“I don’t think you should ever be afraid of the truth, what you find”
- Bruce Collier

“Poetry and performance, they flow through us even in our study of history”
- Sonny Kelly

For more info on Bruce Collier CLICK HERE

LESLIE GODDARD - PART ONE

“I’ve always had a love of theatre, history, the ABCs of character development, and finding that sweet spot”
- Leslie Goddard

“Rachel Carson and Amelia Earhart”
- Leslie Goddard

For more info on Leslie Goddard CLICK HERE

LESLIE GODDARD - PART THREE

“The whole point is not to tell everything about an historical figure, but to light a candle”
- Leslie Goddard

“Georgia O’Keefe and Jackie Kennedy”
- Leslie Goddard

KAREN VURANCH & JEREMY MEIER

PART ONE

“Teaching CHQ style theatre to students is a wonderful interdisciplinary way to approach the arts”
- Karen Vuranch

 “The performer is playwright as well spurring initiative and giving ownership to the student”
- Jeremy Meier

DEBRA CONNER & JOEY MADIA
PART TWO

“Abe Lincoln was a flawed character and a book can’t cover that”
- Debra Conner

"People’s beliefs are precious to them so speak with truth”
- Joey Madia

For more info on Debra Conner CLICK HERE

SONNY KELLY & BRUCE COLLIER - PART TWO

“Hamilton, the musical, did so much to show people who the founding fathers were, flawed and human”
- Bruce Collier

“Yoda said ‘Fear is the path to the dark side’ and we must refuse to retreat there”
- Sonny Kelly

For more info on Sonny Kelly CLICK HERE

LESLIE GODDARD - PART TWO

“The challenge of presenting for kids is everyone is not entirely perfect”
- Leslie Goddard

“What is my audience saying in the car to each other on the way home from my performance”
- Leslie Goddard

For more info on Leslie Goddard CLICK HERE

LESLIE GODDARD - PART FOUR

 “It’s all about the audience”
- Leslie Goddard

 “Lady Bird Johnson said Jackie gave us a focus for our national grief”
- Leslie Goddard

KAREN VURANCH & JEREMY MEIER

PART TWO

 “It’s one person doing it all”
- Karen Vuranch

 “Having buy in from their teachers to encourage the research is really helpful”
- Jeremy Meier

For more info on Karen Vuranch CLICK HERE

Summer Initiative

If you’re interested in more information or involvement in our youth performance initiative, 

      we would welcome hearing from you.  Click here