Since 2013, for three days every April, a group of English, Writing, and Theatre Arts students and faculty have come together to put on the New Voices Festival on the Ithaca College campus. With the New Voices Seminar, the celebration lasts throughout the spring semester. Beginning their first year at IC, students can apply to be a student guide. Accepted students enroll in ENGL 29500, a two-credit readings course designed to orient them to the work of the New Voices and to deepen their engagement with the festival and its authors, as well as ENGL 29701, a one-credit professional development course designed to prepare them for planning and executing the festival.
At the festival, student guides introduce their author at one of their readings and also help support festival events. With backstage access to the festival, they have the opportunity to connect with some of the most exciting new writers working today.