PROVOKE THOUGHT

Theater Alliance

American High School Theatre Festival

218 West Water Street, Suite 400
Charlottesville, VA 22902
February 11, 2015

2020 Shannon PL SE
Washington, DC 20020
p.202.241.2539
www.theateralliance.com

STAFF
PRODUCING ARTISTIC
DIRECTOR
Colin Hovde
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Elliott Bales
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Tr Wheeler
OUTREACH AND
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Katie Ryan
LITERARY DIRECTOR
Kat White

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Julia Robey Christian
VICE PRESIDENT
Bruce Brennan
SECRETARY
Susan Perry
TREASURER
Malauna Steele
DIRECTORS
Al Bready
Colin Hovde
Pat Martin
Amelia Powell

Dear American High School Theater Festival Selection Committee,

I am writing to highly recommend The Madeira School for inclusion in The
American High School Theater Festival in the coming year.
I have been witness to many productions at the Madeira School over the last
five years as I have been hired to document their work. I am a freelance
photographer as well as Producing Artistic Director of Theater Alliance.
In the five years that I have seen the productions at The Madeira School I
have consistently been impressed with the level at which this high school
challenges their students. The magnitude of the productions, the
collaboration with professional designers and creative teams, and the talent
and dedication of the students has always been something that has amazed
and impressed me. There is no way that these students could do such
dynamic work without a strong leader that supports and challenges them;
someone who gives them the technical knowledge and the emotional
support to push them past where they may think they can go. Krista Cowan
has created a very strong program that is modeled off her experience
working as a professional theater artist in Washington DC.
I know of many high school programs in the greater DC area, but I cannot
think of another that is on the same level as what I have seen at the Madeira
School.
I feel like the Madeira School is an ideal school to be included in the festival
and I believe that if chosen they would get a great deal out of the experience
and represent the program well.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email or phone to talk more in
depth about Krista Cowan and the Madeira School.

Colin Hovde
Producing Artistic Director
Cell 202.491.9205
Email colin@theateralliance.com