In this session taught by HPA’s Executive Director, Brad Garnaat, learn how you can enrich your characters through deep character development and strong choices.

Learn what it takes to break down a script with Christine Hall, the Artistic Director of Alive Theatre. This skill is vital to any director to have a clear vision for their production.

Ethics and Morality are key factors in our engagement with culture. The artist often leads the way to influence moral and ethical views in our communities. The question at hand is whether, as Christians, we are upholding godly ethical and moral standards in our personal lives and in our artistic expression. Do our decisions reflect the character of God? His character is the basis for ethics and morality.

Dive deep into the Meisner technique, one of the most widely used techniques in professional acting. This crash course will give you an overview of the technique, it’s goals and it’s exercises, and give you the chance to try some for yourself.

Working with young actors is about far more than getting through rehearsal or putting on a great show. It’s an opportunity to invest in the lives of young people. From age-appropriate expectations to building trust, giving feedback, and challenging students toward excellence, this session will explore practical tools for helping young actors thrive both onstage and off. We’ll consider what it means to approach youth theatre as a form of ministry: recognizing each student as uniquely created and gifted by God, leading with both grace and truth, and using our words, standards, and relationships to point young people toward Christ. While also exploring how working with young performers stretches our own patience, humility, creativity, communication, and dependence on God. Reminding us that sometimes the most important thing we direct isn’t what happens onstage, but what happens in a person’s heart.

Throughout the centuries the church has often struggled with the relationship between the arts and their inclusion in corporate worship. Yet many churches today desire to incorporate the arts thoughtfully, sensitively, and with theological rigor and reflection. This session will explore the theological and pastoral foundations and some criteria for evaluating the use of the arts in worship. We will also consider some practical steps towards introducing fine art into the worship life of the church.

Want to get better at auditioning? Wondering what you can do to feel more confident or stand out more to the directors? Learn from professional singer and actor, Rebekah Hill, about how you can best prepare for your next audition, and leave feeling proud of what you did!

How do you run an audition well? And how do you know how to get what you need to cast a show? Brad Garnaat walks you through his process and lessons learned for running a productive audition that serves your crew, auditionees, and the story you’re telling.

What role does an artist play in God’s eternal kingdom? How do we square our artistic longings with our calling to surrender and further His kingdom here on earth? Jon Wilson unpacks a theology of art, and how we fit into the greater tapestry of God’s people.

This is a dedicated time of prayer. If you need prayer then individuals will be available in the East Overflow. Otherwise you are invited to pray quietly in the sanctuary, or to fellowship with your fellow attendees and instructors in the lobby!

This is a space for attendees to be in conversation together about the intersection of art and faith. Bring your questions, hot takes, and what’s been gnawing at you, and work through it with this group. For those without specific questions but who still want to be a part of the conversation, Rich Garnaat will be there to guide the conversation, and ask prompting questions.

In this masterclass veteran directors Brad Garnaat, CJ Pletcher, and Walter Williams provide critique on a presentation of songs and monologues by various attendees. This is a great opportunity for actors to learn from the feedback provided, and for directors to see how directing is done, and how you can shape a performer and performance.

Join CJ Pletcher and worship leader Christa Dickinson in a thoughtful wrap up for the day, including prayer, discussion, and worship.