AATE 2025 National Conference

This session involves the synergistic collision between our field’s history and the full potential of what we can become as a multigenerational panel examines an untold story from our past and considers its compelling applications for our future. Community activist and historical scholar Joan Lancourt (Ph.D.) has done extensive primary-source research on the remarkable Junior Programs, Inc. (1936-1943), one of the most successful pioneering performing arts companies devoted exclusively to touring professional theatre for young audiences. Her research has uncovered dynamic responses to a world not so different from our own in which rising fascism, a climate of fearing the “other,” and the shadow of armed conflict threatened the very foundations of democracy. Junior Programs harnessed the power of the arts in defense of Democratic ideals, recognizing that their work was infinitely more than entertainment. The intentional presentation of restorative narratives, their partnerships with K-12 schools and teachers, their ability to harness an army of local volunteers as their productions of theatre, opera, and ballet crisscrossed the country –– these are but a few of the multifaceted strategies employed by the company that introduced four million children to quality arts experiences that celebrated America’s rich diversity. Following a presentation, our diverse group of multi-generational respondents will share implications for the future. While some elements of Junior Programs may seem dated after almost a century, we will engage in a dynamic conversation about the underlying principles and practices that contributed to their success, and discuss how they may be used to inform our current and future struggles as we prepare children for full participation in a vibrant democracy.