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Community theatre directors gather at UW Madison to work together, share stories of challenges and solutions, learn about other theatre operations and meet colleagues from throughout the country. This three-day, biennial conference is held exclusively for individuals employed in a full-time administrative or artistic position in a community theatre organization. Nonparticipating observers will be allowed to register if space permits.
The conference begins at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 22, and concludes at noon on Tuesday, November 24. Please plan to arrive early and join your colleagues in Madison on Saturday evening, November 21, for a cash bar reception. Mark your calendar now!
Facilitator(s) guide the group through a managed but vibrant discussion of various topics including marketing strategies, fundraising challenges, staffing issues, outreach activities and systems for selecting a season. All who wish to contribute may do so by asking questions, identifying specific problems, or providing other useful input.
As part of this professional development experience, all participants are invited to bring copies of their season brochures, staff handbooks, fundraising materials, organizational charts and promotional materials to share with the group. Bring or send many copies to share.
Important: The content below describes our 2007 conference. Details for 2009 will be posted as they become available. In the meantime, browse these pages to get a feel for our conference.
2007 Facilitator John Viars has been Executive Director of the Des Moines Playhouse since 1982, where he has directed and/or produced over 250 plays and hosted AACT’s first-ever International Community Theatre Festival. He is a charter member of the American Association of Community Theatre and has been its president. He is a frequent workshop leader, consultant and a national adjudicator of theatre festivals. He facilitates the biennial Community Theatre Directors’ Conference at the University of Wisconsin. He is recipient of the David C. Bryant and Art Cole Awards from the American Association of Community Theatre, and the Elinor Robson award from the Council on International Understanding. John has an M.A. in Theatre from Case Western Reserve University, and prior to joining The Playhouse, John was director of the La Crosse, Wisconsin Community Theatre, and an Instructor in Theatre at Elmira College, Elmira NY.
Saturday, Nov. 21
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Welcome Reception with cash bar.
* 8:00 pm Night at the Madison Repertory (Lombardi/The Only Thing)
Sunday, Nov. 22
8:00 am Orientation Breakfast
9:00 am Morning Session
12:30 pm Lunch buffet
1:30 pm Afternoon Session
5:30 pm Dinner hosted by Madison area restaurant
7:30 pm Evening Session
10:00 pm Adjourn for the day
Monday, Nov. 23
8:00 am "Share Your Wares" Breakfast
9:00 am Morning Session
12:30 pm Lunch buffet
1:30 pm Afternoon Session
5:30 pm Dinner on your own
7:30 pm Evening Session
10:00 pm Adjourn for the day
Tuesday, Nov. 24
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Morning Session
11:30 pm Conference adjourns
The Lowell Center on the UW-Madison campus serves as conference headquarters. In 2007, the $325 conference fee includes instruction, multiple handouts, administrative support, conference leadership, morning and afternoon coffee/soda breaks, two noon lunches, Sunday group dinner and incidental conference expenses. (*Saturday evening production of Lombardi, presented by the Madison Repertory Theatre is available for an extra $40.)
Lowell Center housing this fall will offer daily rates in their remodeled rooms of $81.00/single, and $91.00/double (no room tax). Parking (if needed) and daily breakfast are included in this price.
Contact the Lowell Center (conference headquarters) via the Internet, http://lowellirm.uwex.edu/irm/AccessType.asp or call toll free 1-866-301-1753. Whether registering on-line or calling, please note we are in the block reserved for the National Community Theatre Directors Conference; use the code COMTHEAT. When it asks you to indicate how you heard about the Lowell Center, select Department of Liberal Studies.
Traveling to Madison is easy. For details on traveling by air, bus or personal vehicle download the Travel Information Guide.
In 2007, AACT arranged discounts on Northwest airlines to travel to/from Madison, WI for this event (US and Canada only). Book the lowest fare ticket on-line at NWA.com and use the code: NYVA9. Your discount will be applied.
Northwest Airlines: 800-328-1111
If you would liketo register for the conference, complete the Registration form and Interest Survey.
**If you have already returned a registration request please DO NOT download these materials. You are being sent a registration packet.
Mail:
UW-Madison Continuing Studies in Theatre
610 Langdon Street, 722 Lowell Center
Madison, WI 53703
Fax: (608) 262-1694
Managing directors, business managers and some artistic directors will full-time careers in community theatre have indicated that this conference has provided them with a singularly unique opportunity. Below are some of their comments.
"I can go back to the theatre and feel better prepared to accomplish my goals and make my theatre a better place to be, both creatively and administratively!"
"I can't believe how inspired I am and better equipped to manage what can be called chaos. This conference has made me a better managing director."
"Meeting people who struggle with the same issues that I face every day is a great way to spend a week! It's even better going back with answers to problems."
"Money well spent! Two years ago, I met colleagues. Since then, they have become my best resources and friends."
"This conference is the best thing about my job!"
Special thanks to the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) Directors Conference Committee and Executive Director Julie Angelo for their continued support of this conference.
We hope to see you in November 2009!
Call: Miranda McClenaghan, Director at 608-265-8041
Write to: National Community Theatre Directors Conference
715 Lowell Center, 610 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53703-1195
E-mail:
mmcclenaghan@dcs.wisc.edu
Tell a friend about this program.
The Department of Liberal Studies & the Arts is a part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Continuing Studies. The units within Continuing Studies provide continuing education programs for lifelong learners, from precollege to seniors, as well as counseling services for adult learners. You will find the UW-Madison Continuing Studies home page at http://www.dcs.wisc.edu, or browse the Web site using the navigational links below.
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File last updated: October 6, 2008
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