COMMUNITY

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Each summer, MTEA members are invited to sign-up for the 10-month program which runs along the U.S. school year calendar (Aug-May).

Participants self-identify as emerging professionals (mentees) or established professionals (mentors) during the initial registration. Members of the mentoring community are placed into partnerships based on discipline specialization, career type, or other criteria as requested.

Each pair customizes the content of their mentoring based on their specific needs. Everyone commits to at least two meetings per year, and all mentoring activity is reported to the director.

Participants receive regular reminders and encouragement from the director, as well as feedback opportunities for the program.

WHAT EXACTLY GOES ON?

Frequent discussion topics include: navigating academia, conducting research, managing work/life “balance,” applying for jobs, and professional development recommendations. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about big ideas, such as ethics, diversity and inclusion, and shifting cultures in our industry.

Participants have noted several tangible outcomes including invitations to speak on panels, editing articles for journal submissions, editing job application materials, providing external reviews for tenure and promotion dossiers, and
guidance through direction of productions. 

Past participants have even revised job-
application materials, and with their mentor's guidance, made it through the initial screening process solely on the merits of the materials!

WHY PARTICIPATE?

MTEA’s Mentoring Program is a powerful way to strengthen the community within MTEA.

Mentoring is one of the most effective ways to dismantle systems of inequity, and to build a more just and equitable industry.

The practice of mentoring not only embodies our stated vision to “facilitate mentorship and support for all members” but it galvanizes our mission to be a “primary resource” for “collaboration, camaraderie, information sharing, and support for the strengthening and development of musical theatre educators.”

Put simply, the MTEA Mentoring Program puts our values into practice.

Email Elizabeth Benson with any questions.