Orlando Family Stage Leaders Share Their Expertise on National Stages

Orlando, FL — This spring, Orlando Family Stage is proud to shine a spotlight on three of its accomplished staff members, who will bring their passion and expertise to prominent national speaking engagements. These appearances underscore the organization’s dedication to leadership and innovation in theatre for young audiences.

“As one of the nation’s top 10 theatres for young audiences, we take our position as a leader in the field seriously,” said Chris Brown, Executive Director of Orlando Family Stage. “We are thrilled to see our staff recognized for their outstanding work and excited for the opportunity to share our ideas and successes with peers across the country.”

Crafting Stories for Families: Artistic Director Jeff Revels at BroadwayCon

On February 7, Artistic Director Jeff Revels will take the stage at the 10th annual BroadwayCon, held in New York City,  joining a panel that delves into the art of creating original theatre for family audiences.

“It is an honor to share the work we do at Orlando Family Stage with peers at BroadwayCon,” said Revels. “I want this particular audience to understand how important theatres outside of New York City can be to the development of new shows and to think about partnering with a regional theatre on their road to Broadway. The family audience is a very important audience and one that easily is misunderstood by well-intentioned creators. Theatres like ours can help with that.”

Revels will share insights on developing productions that captivate audiences of all ages, from whimsical storytelling to thoughtful choreography. The discussion will explore how to balance entertainment with meaningful themes, keep content fresh and accessible, and craft shows that resonate with children and adults alike.

Elevating Arts Education: Stacie Perez at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education Annual Meeting

February brings another moment of recognition for Orlando Family Stage, as Stacie Perez, Director of Arts-Based Learning, presents at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the Partners in Education Annual Meeting. Perez will highlight the organization’s impactful partnership with Orange County Public Schools, which provides exceptional professional development in arts integration and arts education to local teachers.

“Our partnership with Orange County Public Schools is a true testament to the transformative power of arts education,” said Perez. “I am so excited to share how our professional development programs, specifically in the realm of arts integration, have grown and evolved over the last few years. Our unique model has become a popular one here in Central Florida and being able to present this work at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. is a wonderful opportunity to share, inspire, and be inspired by the collective work happening across the country.”

As an Advisory Board Member in the Partners in Education program, Perez works as a liaison between the Kennedy Center and other program partners, with a focus on the South Atlantic Region.

This annual meeting gathers nearly 100 arts organizations and school districts from over 40 states to share ideas and best practices in arts integration. Perez’s presentation will illustrate how Orlando Family Stage fosters meaningful connections between schools and the arts to empower teachers, engage students, and enrich curriculum from all subject areas.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Supporting Teen Mental Wellness Through Theatre: Emily Freeman at the TYA/USA National Festival & Conference

In May, Emily Freeman, Senior Director of Development, will team up with Elisabeth Brendel Horn, Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Central Florida, to present “Mind Matters: New Plays and Drama-Based Curriculum to Promote Mental Wellness in Teens” at the TYA/USA National Festival & Conference in Washington, D.C. TYA/USA is the leading national organization for the professional field of theatre for children and families.

“Mental health is such a critical issue for teens today, and I am proud to be part of a project that uses theatre as a platform for understanding and dialogue,” said Freeman. Mind Matters was created to help educators and students navigate these important conversations in a safe and creative way. It is a privilege to present this work alongside Elisabeth Brendel Horn and to highlight the innovative collaboration between Orlando Family Stage and UCF.”

Their presentation will focus on Pieces of Mind, a collection of short plays addressing mental health, and the accompanying Mind Matters curriculum guide, which equips educators with tools to explore these topics in classrooms and onstage. Developed in collaboration with UCF’s psychology department and supported by the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation Arts and Wellness Innovation Award, this innovative program exemplifies the power of theatre to foster dialogue and build empathy.

A Legacy of Leadership and Creativity

The national recognition of Orlando Family Stage’s staff underscores the organization’s mission to empower young people to be brave and empathetic through theatre. These speaking engagements highlight the organization’s creative and educational impact, as well as its role in shaping the future of theatre for young audiences.

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ABOUT ORLANDO FAMILY STAGE

Orlando Family Stage is one of the nation’s largest professional theatres for young audiences and the only one in Florida dedicated exclusively to children and families. Our mission is to empower young people to be brave and empathetic by creating quality theatrical experiences.

For more information, visit orlandofamilystage.com.