Mid-Atlantic Arts Retreat Kickoff July 20-21st, 2026
Why Attend MARK
- Start the Year Inspired
Reignite your creativity and purpose as a performing arts educator. - Leave with Practical Tools
Gain classroom- and rehearsal-ready strategies you can use immediately. - Connect Across the Mid-Atlantic
Build meaningful relationships with educators who share your passion and challenges. - Learn from Experienced Leaders
Engage with trusted voices actively working in today’s performing arts classrooms. - Make Your MARK
Return with clarity, confidence, and a renewed vision for your students and program. - Earn PD points in the most satisfying way!
- Make new like-minded friends
- Enjoy the teacher "kickback" experience each day with beverages, hot snacks, & great conversations as well as relaxing and fulfilling (optional) social events (gym and pool on-site too)
- Boost your programs
REGISTRATION PRICES:
$185 for Regular 2-day Registration
$92.50 for 1-Day Pass
Hotel booked separately: Drury Plaza Hotel Richmond, VA
$185 for Regular 2-day Registration
$92.50 for 1-Day Pass
Hotel booked separately: Drury Plaza Hotel Richmond, VA
Schedule:
Early Check-in - July 19th (hotel is booked separately this year)
*Optional early check in Aug 4th, suggestions to sightsee around town
4:00 pm Room check in
5:30-6:30 pm Early intensive check in and Happy Hour
6:30 pm Optional outing or sightseeing guide - TBD
Day 1: July 20th
8:00-9:30 am Continental breakfast
10:00 am Room set up, call for all presenters for a brief meeting & set up
10:30-11:00 am Check in, Answer icebreaker questions
11:00 am-12:00 pm SESSION 1 time- pick from offered sessions
12:00-1:00 pm SESSION 2 time- pick from offered sessions
1:00-2:00 pm lunch - Wawa Catering
2:15-3:15 pm SESSION 3 time- pick from offered sessions
3:30-4:30 pm SESSION 4 time - from offered sessions
4:30-5:15 pm - All together - Sticky Prompts Sharathon
5:30-6:30 pm Networking Hour/ Sharing Hour : Hors d'oeuvres + group sharing
7:00 pm OPTIONAL Evening Activity Or group dinner
Workshop Topics Day 1
Accessible Auditions: Shake up the System
Practically Lighting: A Hands-On, How-To Session for Teachers
Soft Skills and Other Social Benefits - The Hidden Value of Theatre Games with Theatrefolk/Drama Teacher Academy
The Foundations of Classroom Management
Exploring Characterization Through Movement
Puppetry Movement 101
Puppetry Construction 101 - For hand to life size puppets (simple to complex)
Day 2: July 21st
8:00-9:30 am Continental Breakfast, planning mtg
10:15-11:15 pm SESSION 5 time- pick from topics
11:30 am-12:30 pm SESSION 6 time - pick 1 from topics
12:30-1:30 pm lunch -Wawa Catering
1:30-2:30 pm SESSION 7 pick from topics
2:45-3:45 pm SESSION 8 pick from topics
4:15-5:00 pm Closing Activities & Sharing- Raffles, takeaways, etc.
5:00-5:30 pm - Free time / Departures for all not staying the night at the hotel
5:30 - 7:00 pm - Drury Hotel Happy Hour for anyone staying the night at the hotel
Workshop Topics Day 2
Building your own toolbox - from self-efficacy to self-advocacy
Special FX with Design Thinking Model
Using Augment3d as a Teaching Tool
Theater Safety, Theater SafeLY! With SafeMakers
Creating the Shakespeareance - with The Rustic Mechanicals
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN REGISTRATION?
- Access to all workshops/events/agenda
- Lunch for both conference days
- Access to vendors and giveaways on site
- All takeaway materials from sessions to use in your programs after-the-fact
** Dinner is handled separately - on your own or in group outings after the kickback (which could be dinner if you like).
Hotel Information
Drury Plaza Hotel Richmond
11049 W. Broad St.
Glen Allen, VA 23060
11049 W. Broad St.
Glen Allen, VA 23060
*Click Link and change dates to reflect accurate availability and pricing. Link defaults to 3 nights*
Rooms are still available but it will show 0 if you don't change the room nights.
Rooms are still available but it will show 0 if you don't change the room nights.
Hotel stay is separately booked for the event by each participant.
Please make your reservations by Wednesday, June 17, 2026 to receive your group rate. Reservations made after this date will be subject to prevailing rates and availability. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and referring to your group number 10171589.
At Drury Hotels, we know you have enough to worry about when traveling. In addition to the great rate, our generous amenities will brighten your group’s day and make your journey easier.
Please make your reservations by Wednesday, June 17, 2026 to receive your group rate. Reservations made after this date will be subject to prevailing rates and availability. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and referring to your group number 10171589.
At Drury Hotels, we know you have enough to worry about when traveling. In addition to the great rate, our generous amenities will brighten your group’s day and make your journey easier.
- Complimentary Hot Breakfast - Enjoy scrambled eggs, oatmeal, fresh fruit, potatoes, pastries, the all-important coffee and more. Hot, fresh, and, best of all, free. Free hot breakfast is served daily from 6-9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7-10 a.m. on weekends.
- Complimentary Evening Drinks and Snacks* - Join us from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. every evening to enjoy complimentary hot food and cold beverages at our 5:30 Kickback®. The Hotel features a rotating menu of hot food and drinks.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi Throughout the Hotel - Get the score, check social networks or email family members in the hotel!
- On-Site Facilities - Take advantage of the business center, fitness center or pool while away from home. Print boarding passes, finish a presentation or check e-mail in the Hotel’s business centers.
Special Thanks to our 2026 MARK Sponsors!
Special Thanks to our MARK National Star Sponsors
for their support of this event!
Barbizon Lighting Company for support of this event! Please visit their website to learn more about the services they offer to Virginia Theatre Programs!
for their support of this event!
Barbizon Lighting Company for support of this event! Please visit their website to learn more about the services they offer to Virginia Theatre Programs!
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And Thank You to Our Honored Star Sponsors!
These sponsors make it possible to create valuable programming for teachers each summer! We appreciate their support and hope you will check out their websites and learn about all they have to offer your program!
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Please support our 2025-26 Affiliate Partners!
Virginia Thespians receives a commission for purchases made through the links of our affiliate partners below. Thank you to these companies for supporting Virginia Thespians!
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Check out our affiliate programs with Booktix, Ludus and Grow with Shows here or under "partners."
Ludus and Booktix are educational theatre ticketing platforms with other features and resources to make your program management easier! Each school program that signs on with them helps us raise money for future student opportunities and scholarships! Consider them for your ticketing programs & more!
Grow With Shows provides classroom-ready Training Musicals designed specifically for theatre educators. Built on the belief that Everyone Deserves to Train As a Lead, every script gives students equal lines, equal solos, and equal spotlight so every performer has the opportunity to grow. Explore Grow With Shows for your classroom and skill-building programs—and help support future student opportunities and scholarships along the way!
Check out our affiliate program with Shindig Digital Programs and Fundraising here or under "partners"
Shindig is a digital program platform with built in community-based fundraising programs offering discounts at local business in your school's area.
Ludus and Booktix are educational theatre ticketing platforms with other features and resources to make your program management easier! Each school program that signs on with them helps us raise money for future student opportunities and scholarships! Consider them for your ticketing programs & more!
Grow With Shows provides classroom-ready Training Musicals designed specifically for theatre educators. Built on the belief that Everyone Deserves to Train As a Lead, every script gives students equal lines, equal solos, and equal spotlight so every performer has the opportunity to grow. Explore Grow With Shows for your classroom and skill-building programs—and help support future student opportunities and scholarships along the way!
Check out our affiliate program with Shindig Digital Programs and Fundraising here or under "partners"
Shindig is a digital program platform with built in community-based fundraising programs offering discounts at local business in your school's area.
Door Prize/Giveaway Sponsors
And a big THANK YOU to the following companies who have provided "Swag" and Door Prizes for our Awesome Teachers!
