2024 Eastern Region Drama Therapy Symposium
At the Intersections
Hosted by the CUNY School of Professional Studies
In collaboration with the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA)
June 1, 2024
📍 CUNY | School of Professional Studies & NYU | Steinhardt
A Landmark Gathering
The 2024 Eastern Region Drama Therapy Symposium marked a significant milestone for the drama therapy profession. Hosted by the CUNY School of Professional Studies MA in Applied Theatre (MAAT) program in collaboration with the Eastern Region of the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA), the symposium brought together drama therapists, applied theatre practitioners, social workers, educators, mental health professionals, students, and interdisciplinary practitioners for a full day of professional learning, dialogue, and community building.
Centered around the theme At the Intersections, the symposium explored how drama therapy connects with healthcare, education, social justice, community engagement, accessibility, and the expressive arts, creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration across disciplines.
Symposium in a Glance
20+ Professional
Workshops
Nearly 100
Participants
Regional
Professional Gathering
Multiple
Creative Arts & Mental Health Disciplines
Media Coverage
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Drama Therapist — and Grassroots Activist for the Arts
In June 2024, the CUNY SPS MA in Applied Theatre (MAAT) program hosted its first-ever Eastern Region Drama Therapy Symposium in collaboration with the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA). This exciting event was organized by registered drama therapist and MAAT alum Lillian Ribeiro, who has devoted her career since she graduated in 2013 to the healing power of drama.
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First-Ever Drama Therapy Symposium at CUNY SPS Brings Community Together
October 09, 2024
In a first-ever offering, the MA in Applied Theatre (MAAT) program at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) co-hosted the North America Drama Therapy Eastern Region Drama Therapy Symposium in June.
Partners
Reflections on the Symposium.
“The drama therapy symposium was extremely successful. It was the first time the MAAT program had collaborated with NADTA... We were able to offer over 20 workshop sessions and accommodate nearly 100 attendees throughout the day.”
— Chris Vine
Academic Director, MA in Applied Theatre, CUNY SPS
“I got so many emails following the symposium from those who attended who were excited that an event like this took place… Participants are supermotivated to do more gatherings like this, to share their knowledge with other professionals in the field.”
— Lillian Ribeiro, RDT/BCT
Organizer & Founder, Drama With A Twist
“There was an ongoing buzz of excitement throughout the day and, at the final plenary session, an enthusiastic call for another such gathering in the future.”
— Chris Vine
Academic Director, MA in Applied Theatre, CUNY SPS
Continuing the Journey…
Building on the Momentum
The success of the 2024 Eastern Region Drama Therapy Symposium reaffirmed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and professional learning within the creative arts therapies. Building on this foundation, Drama With A Twist continues to create opportunities for therapists, educators, artists, researchers, healthcare professionals, and community practitioners to connect through conferences, workshops, and public programming.
Today, that vision continues through the NJ Creative Arts Therapies Symposium: Pathways to Purpose & Wellness, expanding interdisciplinary collaboration across the creative arts therapies.
