Jackson State University Hosts 87th Nadsa Annual Conference

JANS – The Department of Theatre at Jackson State University played host to the 87th Annual Conference of NADSA, the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts, April 2-5, 2025. The theme of the conference was “Shaping the Skills of 21st Century Creatives: Challenging Minds and Changing Lives.” More than 250 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and special guests in the performing arts attended the 4-day, fun-filled conference with multiple activities in the Rose McCoy Auditorium on the Jackson State campus. 

NADSA was founded in 1936 by S. Randolph Edmonds (1800-1983), a visionary playwright, director, teacher, who is revered as the Dean of Black Educational Theatre. Recognized as the oldest educational theatre organization in the United States, NADSA’s membership includes students, faculty, staff, alumni, and performing arts enthusiasts, primarily from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country. Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, and Chadwick Boseman are among the most prominent NADSA alums. The annual conference is a 4-day gathering replete with workshops, competitions, performances, and plenaries that culminate with an awards banquet on the last day (Saturday). Attendees use NADSA as an opportunity to network, build skillsets, and share best practices of the field.