Fall Conference 2016
Making Musical Connections
October 25 - 26, 2016
TKP New York Conference Center, 109 West 39th Street, New York, NY

NAMT’s Fall Conference is the networking event of the year, bringing NAMT members together to discuss the future of musical theatre. At this year’s Conference, we discussed innovative ways that members are building new bridges in their programming, with audiences and with artists in process. We explored ways to “create a culture of yes,” continued conversations we started the previous year related to accessibility and inclusion, looked at issues related to new work development and production, and more, all leading up to the 28th Annual Festival of New Musicals.
WHO ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE
Executive management, artistic directors, new works directors and staff, board members, commercial producers and anyone at your theatre involved with new work development and production. NAMT conferences can also be a great perk for engaged donors who are interested in learning more about how things work behind the scenes! All employees and board members of a member organization are NAMT members!
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Fall Conference registration included:
- panels on how theatres create a culture of yes, break down barriers to working in the arts, and increase audience engagement
- case studies from our members on accessibility and inclusion, and new musical development
- vibrant discussion and break-out sessions
- breakfast and lunch on both days
- a pre-theatre cocktail party with heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar
- ample networking time
- and more!
REGISTRATION, RATES AND DEADLINES
- NAMT Conferences are open to NAMT members in good standing and invited guests.
- The more people you bring, the more you save!
- Member regular registration rates (after September 25, 2016) were $595 – $625 per person.
- Additional options are available for single day rates, Associate Members and invited non-members.
- Deadlines:
- Early registration ended on September 25. All prices increased $100 on September 26.
- The last day to register for the Conference was October 16, 2016.
- Cancellations were permitted through October 7. Fees were refunded, less a $100 service charge. We will not be able to provide any refunds after October 7, however you may transfer your registration to someone else if you are unable to attend.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
We are very grateful to the sponsors and exhibitors of the 2016 Fall Conference. Please click here for information on supporting NAMT and the benefits of sponsoring or exhibiting at our events.
Sponsor or Exhibit at the ConferenceEducational Resources Committee
Donna Lynn Hilton, Goodspeed Musicals (CT), Chair
Michael Ballam, Utah Festival Opera Company (UT)
Wayne Bryan, Music Theatre Wichita (KS)
Kathy Evans, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat (NY)
Mark Fleischer, Pittsburgh CLO (PA)
Phil Santora, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley (CA)
Fall Conference Committee
Mark Hoebee, Paper Mill Playhouse (NJ), Co-Chair
Heather Schmucker, Chicago Shakespeare Theater (IL), Co-Chair
Renee Blinkwolt, Ars Nova (NY)
T.J. Dawson, 3-D Theatricals (CA)
Amy Rogers Schwartzreich, Pace New Musicals (NY)
Frank Ventura, CAP21 (NY)
Agenda
DownloadTuesday, October 25, 2016 (All times ET )
8:30 - 9:30 am | Check-in and Breakfast TKP Conference Center Check-in at reception. Breakfast served in the Empire Room until 10:30. Come early for breakfast (and coffee!) to greet colleagues and visit our exhibitors. Breakfast sponsored by Marriott Theatre. |
9:30 - 10:00 am | Welcome Remarks Empire Ballroom |
10:00 - 11:00 am | Keynote Speaker: Pamela Sneed Empire Ballroom Pamela Sneed is a New York based poet, writer and actress. She has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, Time Out, Bomb, VIBE, and on the cover of New York Magazine. She is author of Imagine Being More Afraid of Freedom Than Slavery published by Henry Holt in April 1998 and KONG and other works published by Vintage Entity Press, 2009 and a new chapbook Lincoln. Her work is included in The 100 Best African American Poems edited by Nikki Giovanni. Recent publications include work in Best Monologues from Best American Short Plays, Future Perfect, and LIU Teaching Narratives with upcoming work in Ping Pong and Cutbank magazines. Pamela has headlined the New Work Now Festival at Joe’s Pub/The Public Theater and has performed original works for sold out houses at Lincoln Center, P.S. 122, Ex-Teresa in Mexico City, The ICA London, The CCA in Glasgow Scotland, The Green Room in Manchester, England, and BAM cafe. In 2014, Pamela appeared at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, at Long Island University and as a guest performer at the Beechman Theater. In 2013, she performed at Central Park Summer Stage, The Whitney Museum of Art, Columbia University’s “Geographies of Mass Incarceration.” In 2011, she performed in South Africa in collaboration with the women’s organization FEW. At Sarah Lawrence she teaches Writing for Solo Performance and Solo Performance in Production. |
11:00 - 11:30 am | Networking Coffee Break Empire Ballroom and Lobby |
11:30 am - 1:00 pm | Creating a Culture of "Yes" Empire Ballroom A panel of NAMT members will discuss the benefits of creating a culture of “yes” at their organizations — how being open to new ideas and taking risks can lead to exciting discoveries, opportunities and diverse stories, as well as the challenges that being open can sometimes bring. After hearing from the panelists, all attendees will have an opportunity to explore ways to get to yes in their own companies. Moderated by Mark Hoebee (Paper Mill Playhouse) and Heather Schmucker (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), with Donna Lynn Hilton (Goodspeed Musicals) Anthony Rodriguez (Aurora Theatre) and Emily Shooltz (Ars Nova). |
1:00 - 2:30 pm | Lunch Empire Ballroom Lunch sponsored by Disney Theatrical Group. |
2:30 - 3:30 pm | Breakout Discussions These concurrent breakout sessions will cover various topics of interest. They are designed to be smaller discussion groups than the larger panels, so come prepared to ask questions or to share stories from your own organization! Developing Sensory-Friendly Performances Casting A Wide Net Creating A Culture of “Green” New Approaches to Classic Musicals |
3:30 - 4:45 pm | Accessibility and Inclusion Case Studies Empire Ballroom At the end of last year’s conference session on accessibility and inclusion, one panelist challenged the room: “Between now and next year when you come back, what’s that one thing that you know that can change everything at your theatre company…. When I see you next year I’m going to ask you: what did you do?” So we’re asking! NAMT members will tell us about specific ways they put words into action at their theatres to broaden diversity, accessibility and inclusion. What worked, what didn’t and what impact did it have? Moderated by Joshua Blanchard (Lake Dillon Theatre Company), with Michael Baron (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), Adrian Budhu (Theatre Communications Group), Christine Burke (Woodminster Summer Musicals), Kwofe Coleman (The Muny) and Ryan Norton (Tuacahn Center for the Arts). |
5:00 - 7:00 pm | Networking Cocktail Party Glass House Tavern Sponsored by Samuel French, Inc. and Pittsburgh CLO |
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 (All times ET )
9:30 - 10:00 am | Networking Continental Breakfast TKP Conference Center Check-in at reception. Breakfast served in Empire Ballroom. Come early for breakfast (and coffee!) to greet colleagues and visit our exhibitors. (Breakfast will be served until 11:00.) |
10:00 - 11:00 am | Opening Doors: Making it Possible to Work in Theatre Empire Ballroom What sort of barriers to entry do the pay scales of many careers in the theatre create? Do our work environments encourage some and discourage others, either subtly or overtly? How does a lack of access limit the voices in our conversations and the stories we tell? What are the realities facing artists and administrators with families…or who just want to have a life outside of work? We’ll hear from members and Festival alumni who have faced and are facing these issues, as well as preparing a new generation of theatre-makers for the world. Plus, learn about the National Endowment for the Arts’ new report: Creativity Connects: Trends and Conditions Affecting U.S. Artists. Moderated by Amy Rogers Schwartzreich (Pace New Musicals), with Kent Gash (NYU New Studio on Broadway), Kait Kerrigan (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Kent Nicholson (Playwrights Horizons) and Greg Reiner (National Endowment for the Arts). |
11:00 - 11:15 am | A Word From Our Sponsor: The Musical Company Empire Ballroom |
11:15 - 11:45 am | Networking Coffee Break Empire Ballroom and Lobby |
11:45 am - 12:45 pm | New Musical Development Case Studies Empire Ballroom A detailed look at the paths two shows have taken from the NAMT Festival to full productions. Was the road smooth or bumpy? Long or short? How did outside factors that couldn’t have been anticipated at the outset affect the writing process and the show’s reception? Moderated by Branden Huldeen (Barrington Stage Company, former NAMT New Works Director) Southern Comfort (Festival 2012) Legendale (Festival 2015) |
12:45 - 2:15 pm | Lunch and NAMT Annual Membership Meeting Empire Ballroom Lunch sponsored by The Hollywood Pantages. |
2:15 - 3:15 pm | Breakout Discussions These concurrent breakout sessions will cover various topics of interest. They are designed to be smaller discussion groups than the larger panels, so come prepared to ask questions or to share stories from your own organization! Developing New Works at Colleges and Universities Defining Community Engagement Get to Know Your NAMT Membership Broadening Audiences and Blending Media |
3:15 - 4:15 pm | Audiences And New Works: Talking With Or Talking Back? Empire Ballroom We’ve talked a lot at past conferences about our most dedicated subscribers and donors who have bought in fully to our new works missions — the ones who come to every reading and festival, fill out every feedback form and trust in whatever we put on. But how much do we know about people who only come to the theatre a few times a year? Are there perceived barriers to entry we may not even be aware of in our spaces? What makes people want to see a specific show? NAMT members will talk about their audience development methods, what they’re hearing back from patrons, and TDF’s Triple Play research program. Moderated by Jeff Loeb (The Hollywood Pantages), with Keith Cromwell (Red Mountain Theatre Company), Peter Rothstein (Theater Latte Da) and Kyle Sircus (Playwrights Horizons). |
4:15 - 4:30 pm | Closing Remarks |
6:30 - 7:30 pm | The 46th Minute New World Stages The official kick-off concert to the Festival of New Musicals, where you’ll get to hear songs that didn’t make the final 45-minute cuts of all eight Festival shows. NAMT members may purchase their tickets when they register for the Fall Conference and/or Festival of New Musicals. |
As of 10/20/16. SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Directions and Discounts
Attendees
Michael O'Brien
Executive Producer
Kate Galvin
Casting Director/Creative Producer
T.J. Dawson
Executive Producer/Artistic Director
Tina Marie Casamento Libby
Producer
Stephanie Rhoads-Bickham
Board of Directors
Daniel Thomas
Executive Artistic Director
Will North
Brannon Bowers
Producing Director
Ryan Cunningham
Victoria Plettner-Saunders
Creative Director
Anthony Rodriguez
Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board
Ann-Carol Pence
Co-Founder/Producing Artistic Director
Victoria Bussert
Director of Music Theatre
Branden Huldeen
Artistic Producer/Director of New Works
Gretchen Feyer
General Manager
Sharon Maroney
Producing Artistic Director
Dan Murphy
Managing Director
Heather Schmucker
Associate Producer
Mark Ciglar
CEO
Carolyn Miller
Producer
Matthew Schneider
Producer, Creative Endeavor Office
David Scott
Director of Licensing
Soren Moller
Artistic Director
Liv Stevns
Producer
Donna Lynn Hilton
Artistic Director
Rachel Tischler
General Manager
Bob Alwine
Executive Assistant
Karin Yamamoto
Producer
Nami Okazaki
Project Manager
Kenny Alhadeff
Lead Producer
Jennifer Korecki
Faculty, School of Theatre Dance
Terri Kent
Artistic Director, Porthouse Theatre
Wendy Gillespie
President & CEO
Ken Gargaro
Consultant
Ashley Wells
Executive Producer
Michael Baron
Producing Artistic Director
Stephanie Dupal
Managing Director
Curt Dale Clark
Artistic Director
Margot Astrachan
owner
BT McNicholl
Producing Artistic Director
Tom McCoy
President/CEO
Mark Hardy
Coordinator of Musical Theatre/New Works Initiative, Montclair State University
Rudy Hogenmiller
Artistic Director
Matthew Boethin
Professional Licensing Director, N. America
Richard Patterson
International Licensing Director
Wayne Bryan
Producing Director
Paul Garman
Executive Director/Producer
Ciera Iveson
Talmage Wise
Imani Champion
Adam Grosswirth
Member Services Director
Tori Rezek
External Relations Officer
Jen Whitton
Development Associate
Betsy Militello
Executive Director
Karin Nilo
Program Manager
Greg Reiner
Theater & Musical Theater Director | Performing Arts
Kyle Dougan
Producing Artistic Director
Kristy Cates
Creative Director
Mark Olsen
Chairman of Musical Theatre
Elise Dewsberry
Artistic Director
Brad Kenney
Executive Artistic Director
Andy Luft
VP Building Operations and Production
Jamie Grant
President & CEO
Reid Harmsen
Artistic Associate/Casting Director
James Rocco
Amy Schwartzreich
Todd Schmidt
Executive Director
Mark Hoebee
Producing Artistic Director
Mark Fleischer
Executive Producer
Keith Cromwell
Executive Director
Jennifer Jaquess
Managing Director
Kathy Evans
Founding Executive Director
Andrew Panton
Artistic Director & Joint-Chief Executive
David Kimple
Director of Licensing
Ben Coleman
Theatre Agent
Stephen Brotebeck
Professor, Musical Theatre
Jana Shea
Producer
Michael Murphy
Rick Edinger
Chair of the Acting/ Music Theater Option; Associate Professor of Music Theater
Jacob Brent
Musical Theatre Coordinator
Marc Richard
Coordinator
Gail Hakala
Head of Vocal Discipline, Sheridan College
Scott Evans
Artistic Director
Michael Jenkins
President, Starlight Entertainment
Teresa Eyring
Executive Director
Adrian Budhu
Interim Managing Director
Bradley Lohrenz
Vice President Professional & International Licensing
Linda Habjan
Vice President of Acquisitions
Marty Wiviott
Vice President
Jeff Loeb
President
Kevin Moore
Aaron Thielen
Co-Founder
Terry James
Executive Producer
Megan Larche
Associate Artistic Director/Director of New Works
Kwofe Coleman
President & CEO
Sean Flahaven
Chief Theatricals Executive
Mitchell Marcus
Robert McQueen
Director of New Musical Development
Karen Tanz
Vincent VanVleet
Managing Director
Michael Barnard
Producing Artistic Director
Brett Smock
Producing Artistic Director
Dana Siegel
Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, Publishing
Michelle Yaroshko
Senior Vice President, Professional Licensing (North America)
Peter Rothstein
Producing Artistic Director
Paige Price
Producer
Carlos Armesto
Producing Artistic Director
Chris Alleman
Producing Artistic Director
Joshua Blanchard
Executive Director
Phil Santora
Marley Singletary
Producing Executive Director
Matt Schicker
Show Shepherd
Lori Fineman
Producer/Owner
David McDougal
TRW ROCS
Jameson McDougal
TRW ROCS
Ken Dingledine
President
Sean Cercone
Founder/CEO
Drew Williams
Tuacahn High School Principal
Ryan Norton
Associate Artistic Producer
Kevin Warnick
CFO
Scott Anderson
Artistic Director
Kyle Lewis
Tuacahn High School Staff
Chris Herzberger
Senior Vice President
Lowe Cunningham
Director of Creative Development
Valerie Accetta
Head of Musical Theatre
Jeff Rane
Artistic Producer
Michael Ballam
Founding General Director
Robb Hunt
Dana Harrel
Zach Krohn
Associate General Manager
Scott Blanford
Director of Sales and Marketing
Harriet Schlader
Producer/Executive Director
Randy Burke
Board Member
Youchul Kim
Producer
Abe Reybold
Associate Artistic Director
Dave Steakley
Producing Artistic Director
Elisbeth Challener
Producer/Owner
Partner
Writer/Director
Founder, The New York SongSpace
Owner
Commercial Producer
Producer
Producer
Resources
Resources
Full Attendee Packet (PDF — this is a large file [22.5 MB])
Knowledge Exchange Webinar on Triple Play (12/2/15) (YouTube)
NEA Creativity Connects website (contains the report and more)
Wellesley Centers for Women report on Women’s Leadership in Resident Theatre (PDF)
American Theatre: “What Price Overtime?”
Goodspeed Sensory-Friendly Handout (PDF)
This page was last updated on 06/20/2017