Glen Cove High School Students to Attend 29th Annual NYSTEA Conference

This year 13 students from Glen Cove High School plan to attend the New York State Theatre Education Association Student Conference.  This will be the second year that Glen Cove High School has sent representatives to the NYSTEA Student Conference. The participating students include: Barbara Benitez Vasco, Valentina Canales Aguilar, Carolyne Datkhayeva, Charlotte Dilgard-Clark, Leo Goldstein, Paige Jimenez, Kaitlyn Kiełczewski, Natalie Macnow, Kasey Miller, Derek Polo, Aidan Rios, Charlotte Scutifero, and Aiden Van Ommeren.

The New York State Theatre Education Association, a strong, statewide organization of theatre educators, promotes and supports theatre education for students in grades pre-K through 12. On the weekend of January 9-11, 2026, NYSTEA will welcome nearly 900 students to its 29th Annual Student Conference at the Villa Roma Resort in Callicoon, New York.  

This conference creates an opportunity for high school students from all over New York State to come together for a full weekend of learning and peer interaction. These students attend workshops given by colleges, universities and other theatre professionals, as well as networking with one another and experiencing a variety of performances throughout the conference.

For the Student Conference delegates, this conference is a highlight of their high school career. In the over 100 workshop offerings, students will receive expert instruction in technical theatre, acting, dance and voice. Meeting and sharing interests with other similarly-minded students from every region of the state is paramount in working collaboratively, gaining self-confidence and exploring new areas of learning. This conference is a testament to how “theatre transforms students’ lives!”

Theatre teacher Jared Ross expressed his excitement for the group’s achievement and the opportunity ahead of them.

"I am so incredibly proud of these students for their dedication to their craft," said Ross. "Watching them step out onto this state-wide stage to represent Glen Cove is a joy, and I know this experience will be a defining moment in their high school careers."

NYSTEA believes that theatre is an essential component of a pre-K-12 education for all students. Studying theatre in schools develops abilities needed for the 21st century including critical thinking, problem solving skills, applications of technology, social responsibility and creativity. In addition to the annual Student Conference, NYSTEA provides resources to educators teaching theatre in the classroom, directing school drama and musical presentations, and hosts professional learning opportunities for teachers throughout the year.