The following postings have been shared with ACTAA or recommended by Google Alerts. Please check the referenced school district's website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

CPS Forensics and Debate Teacher

Cabot Public Schools is seeking one Secondary Forensics and Debate Teacher for the High School, Freshman Academy, Junior High North, and Junior High South. Apply at: https://www.applitrack.com/cabot/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1

CPS Junior High Theatre Teacher 7-8

Cabot Public Schools is seeking one Junior High Theatre Teacher for Junior High North and Junior High South. Apply at: https://www.applitrack.com/cabot/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Junior+High+7+-+8

BPS High School Theatre Teacher

Bentonville Public Schools is seeking one High School Theatre Teacher for Bentonville High School.  Apply at: https://www.applitrack.com/bentonville/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=High+School+Licensed&subcategory=Theatre

FPS Junior High Theatre Teacher

Fayetteville Public Schools is seeking one Junior High Theatre Teacher for Ramay Jr. High School.  Apply at: https://district.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5663501 

VBSD High School Theatre Teacher

Van Buren School District is seeking one High School Theatre Teacher for Van Buren High School.  Apply at: https://vanburenar.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5586738

The Board of Directors meets every two months to receive updates from committees/ officers and discuss association matters. In addition to the discussion and updates on Arkansas State Championship, the new Junior High Regional Championship, the 2026-2027 tournament calendar and the Discipline Representative Elections, the following outlines updates from the Board’s May 3 meeting.

Leadership Transition

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, ahead of the Arkansas State Championship, incoming president Laurie Harrison resigned from her role and the Board of Directors. 

On behalf of the entire ACTAA Board, Leadership wants to publicly thank Laurie for her years of dedicated service and leadership. While we are saddened to receive Laurie's resignation, we think we can speak for the everyone in writing, we fully support her decision to focus on her family during this season.

Laurie's impact on ACTAA's Board has been profound. From her thoughtful planning of conferences to her steady leadership on the board, she helped shape this organization in meaningful and lasting ways. Laurie has consistently brought compassion, intention, and a commitment to positive change, strengthening both our work and our community.

Laurie will be deeply missed in leadership as we move into the next season of the association. At the same time, we are incredibly grateful for all that she has contributed and for the example she has set.

At the time of her resignation, ACTAA Leadership agreed to not make leadership changes, as scheduled, during the Arkansas State Championship, April 17-18, and until the Board of Directors May 3 meeting. 

At the meeting, and after deep discussion, the Board approved by unanimous consent to appoint outgoing President Zackery Tucker to fill the vacancy left by Harrison. The idea was proposed by 1st Vice President Jessica Skordal and supported by 2nd Vice President Antha Johnson. As a result of this appointment, Skordal will remain 1st Vice President, Johnson will remain 2nd Vice President, and Rosie Valdez Block will remain Past President for their respective two-year terms. 

Summer Workshop

The board approved this year’s summer workshop to be held July 12-14, 2026, at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock. Antha Johnson is planning this meeting, as 2nd Vice President.

Fall Conference

The board approved this year’s summer workshop to be held Sep 3-5, 2026, on the campus of Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville. Next year’s Fall Conference will be Sep 2-4, 2027. Jessica is planning both of these meetings, as 1st Vice President. 

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As we look ahead to another exciting season for Arkansas high school forensics and theatre, it’s time to start thinking about the 2026–2027 tournament and performance calendar. The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) has released key scheduling guidelines and submission dates for the upcoming academic year.

The official ACTAA calendar, maintained by the Executive Secretary, will continue to serve as the centralized schedule for all sanctioned speech and debate tournaments and theatre performances across the state.

Here are a few important details and deadlines to keep in mind:

• Starting February 16, 2026, tournament directors may begin submitting their preferred dates for inclusion on the 2026–2027 ACTAA calendar.

• These dates will be formally presented to the ACTAA membership at Fall Conference, where traditional tournament dates will be carried forward into the upcoming year’s calendar unless changes are requested.

• No tournaments may be scheduled prior to Fall Conference, and official ACTAA events must be confirmed on the calendar before any local or regional tournaments can be approved.

• To ensure focus and participation at the Arkansas State Championship (ASC), no tournaments will be permitted during the two weeks leading up to ASC.

We encourage all directors and program coordinators to begin planning now to secure their traditional dates and ensure a well-organized, conflict-free schedule for all participating schools.

Every three years, the Nominations Committee solicits open nominations for candidates for the four Discipline Representatives on the Board of Directors (e.g., Communication Representative, Theatre Representative, Debate Representative & Forensics Representative) between April 15 and May 15.

Discipline representatives serve on the Board of Directors and are expected to represent their discipline in ACTAA leadership, assist with resource sharing within their discipline, and attend bi-monthly virtual board meetings, including the Summer Workshop in July and the Fall Conference in August/September (in person).

After the nomination period has closed, the Nominations Committee shall confirm that the nominees accept the nomination before publishing the ballot after the Summer Workshop in July. Elections will be held at the annual business meeting during the Fall Conference. 

The procedures for electing Discipline Representatives are outlined in Article IV § 10(2) of the ACTAA Constitution.

Please use the following form to nominate candidates for discipline representatives using the following form, https://forms.gle/JyQABpj3iBqgQ3s57.

Nominations should be active ACTAA members who are not in a presidential leadership role. If considering nominating an ACTAA member currently serving as an executive or appointed officer, consider asking the individual for their preferred service role before making the nomination. A complete list of the current Board of Directors is available at: https://actaa.org/board.

Due Dates and Late Fees

All invoices for conferences, membership, tournaments, and other hosted events are due at the commencement of the event. Acceptable proof of payment may include a verified purchase order (PO) issued by an authorized school district, agency, or organization. Any balance not paid or supported by an approved purchase order at the start of an event shall be subject to a late payment fee of ten percent (10%) of the outstanding balance. An additional ten percent (10%) late fee will be assessed every thirty (30) calendar days thereafter on any unpaid balance until the account is satisfied in full.

Notice of Excessive Balances

Accounts remaining unpaid beyond thirty (30) days shall be considered delinquent, and the ACTAA member will be notified of the fee. For accounts with unpaid balances exceeding sixty (60) days, account statements will be distributed to the respective district Accounts Payable office and the designated building administrator or program director. Programs or organizations with delinquent accounts will be prohibited from registering for or participating in future events until all outstanding obligations, including late fees, have been remitted in full or a payment resolution has been established in writing with the organization’s Treasurer.

Due Dates and Late Fees

All invoices for conferences, membership, tournaments, and other hosted events are due at the commencement of the event. Acceptable proof of payment may include a verified purchase order (PO) issued by an authorized school district, agency, or organization. Any balance not paid or supported by an approved purchase order at the start of an event shall be subject to a late payment fee of ten percent (10%) of the outstanding balance. An additional ten percent (10%) late fee will be assessed every thirty (30) calendar days thereafter on any unpaid balance until the account is satisfied in full.

Notice of Excessive Balances

Accounts remaining unpaid beyond thirty (30) days shall be considered delinquent, and the ACTAA member will be notified of the fee. For accounts with unpaid balances exceeding sixty (60) days, account statements will be distributed to the respective district Accounts Payable office and the designated building administrator or program director. Programs or organizations with delinquent accounts will be prohibited from registering for or participating in future events until all outstanding obligations, including late fees, have been remitted in full or a payment resolution has been established in writing with the organization’s Treasurer.

ACTAA is excited to announce its participation in Giving Tuesday, a global movement uniting over 35 million nonprofits to inspire generosity and drive positive change. Taking place on the Tuesday, December 2, following Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to support meaningful causes that strengthen communities.

ACTAA invites individuals and organizations to join this worldwide effort by contributing to our mission and helping us make a lasting impact. Contributions will help fund scholarships for students, professional development for teachers, and provide opportunities for Arkansas to highlight the talent of our students on stage and in the classroom.

ACTAA Leadership asks members to help amplify our Giving Tuesday campaign by sharing the campaign's social media posts throughout the next few weeks, leading up-to Giving Tuesday, December 2.

If you know of  individuals or organizations that would be interested in supporting communication and theatre education state-wide, please direct them to donate at: actaa.org/donate.

Organizations interested in making larger donations or underwriting ACTAA's activities, can review our sponsorship packet at: actaa.org/support.

Not only can a positive volunteer experience be educational and fulfilling, it can also be a great way to connect with colleagues across the state who share your passions and are committed to advancing speech, debate, & theatre as a profession, life skill, & art form through service.

No matter your current skill level, years of experience in the classroom, or available time, you can tap into long-term career success through the many pathways into ACTAA leadership. Now is the time to communicate your interest in many of the leadership positions across the association, as well as dozens of committee and work team opportunities that will begin service in 2025-2026.

ACTAA Leadership Opportunities

• Executive Secretary

• Belonging & Inclusion Advocacy (BIA) Committee
• Ethical Practices Committee
• Lifetime Member Committee
• Advocacy & Public Engagement Committee
• Publicity and Promotions Committee

• New Member Support Committee

Share your interest in serving. 

The following postings have been shared with ACTAA or recommended by Google Alerts. Please check the referenced school district's website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

FHS Theater Teacher

Fayetteville Public Schools is urgently seeking a FHS Theater Teacher for Fayetteville High School. Apply at: https://district.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5331275.

The Board of Directors meets every two months to receive updates from committees/ officers and discuss association matters. In addition to the discussion on updates on summer workshop, fall conference, the board member accountability, and past due membership balances to the association, the following outlines updates from the Board’s August 28 & 30 meeting.

Resignation. The Board accepted the resignation of the Dustin Jackson as Executive Secretary, pending the appointment of a replacement for the remainder of Jackson's term.

Appointments. Following Fall Conference, President Zackery Tucker appointed and the board confirmed the following appointments:

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