Fall Conference 2017
From Stage to [Everyone on the Same] Page
October 17 - 18
TKP New York Conference Center, 109 West 39th Street, New York, NY

This year’s Fall Conference brought NAMT members together to discuss issues that are vitally important to the growth and survival of our field, the arts in general, and our current political moment. How can we create cultures of inclusion at our theatres — onstage, backstage and in the audience — and engage with our communities to make meaningful work? How do commercial/non-profit partnerships advance new musical theatre and allow for risk? How has the changing nature of social media and discourse affected our programming and our customer service responses? Musical theatre can address important issues or provide an escape — which approach do you take to your season? How can NAMT help deepen relationships among our members to help you as you tackle these topics and more?
Presenting Sponsor: Broadway Licensing
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, speakers, case studies and breakout discussions
- NAMT member speed-dating
- breakfast and lunch on both days
- sneak peek of the Festival of New Musicals at our Meet the Writers lunch
- a pre-theatre cocktail party with heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar
- ample networking time
- and more!
REGISTRATION, RATES AND DEADLINES
- The NAMT Fall Conference is open to NAMT members in good standing and invited guests. If you are not a NAMT member (or are unsure of your membership status) and would like to attend the Fall Conference, please email Membership Director Adam Grosswirth or call (212) 714-6668 x15.
- Registration closed on October 9.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
We are very grateful to the sponsors and exhibitors of the 2017 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
Dan Murphy, The Broadway Rose Theatre (OR), Chair
Michael Ballam, Utah Festival Opera Company (UT)
Wayne Bryan, Music Theatre Wichita (KS)
Victoria Bussert, Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music (OH)
Mark Fleischer, Pittsburgh CLO (PA)
Donna Lynn Hilton, Goodspeed Musicals (CT)
Robb Hunt, Village Theatre (WA)
Jennifer Jaquess, Red Mountain Theatre Company (AL)
Orlando Morales, The 5th Avenue Theatre (WA)
Fall Conference Committee
Joshua Blanchard, Lake Dillon Theatre (CO), Chair
Hillary Hart, Theatre Under The Stars (TX)
Mark Hoebee, Paper Mill Playhouse (NJ)
Michael O’Brien, 11th Hour Theatre (PA)
Agenda
DownloadTuesday, October 17, 2017 (All times ET )
8:00 - 9:00 am | Check-in and Breakfast TKP Conference Center Grab your badge and sponsor goodies, and join us for breakfast and coffee. Sponsored by Ticketmaster. |
9:00 - 9:30 am | Welcome Remarks Empire Room |
9:30 - 10:30 am | Keynote Speaker: Michael Riedel Empire Room Michael Riedel has been a theater columnist for the New York Post since 1998. He worked at the Daily News (New York) for five years before returning to the Post and has written for The Guardian, Harper’s Bazaar, Mirabella, Departures, and Commentary. Riedel is the cohost of Theater Talk with PBS, is a contributor to the BBC, and has appeared on Larry King Live, the Today show, Good Morning America, and many other news programs. He lives in New York City. |
10:30 - 11:00 am | Networking Coffee Break Empire Room and Lobby All-day coffee sponsored by The Musical Company. |
11:00 am - 12:30 pm | Creating a Culture of Inclusion Empire Room A recent study by Actors’ Equity Association showed that jobs for actors and stage managers skew white and male. A series of HowlRound surveys has revealed similar results for administrative and design jobs. How can we break this cycle so that our theatres represent our communities at every level – board, management, creative, onstage, backstage, and in the audience? Recognizing that we are not going to solve these problems today, what steps can we take toward making our specific theatres and the industry as a whole more inclusive? Are we cultural centers and leaders in our communities, or are we falling behind? Our panelists will discuss best practices, with concrete case studies for examples, and help you build a toolkit to take back to work with you. Moderated by Hillary Hart (Theatre Under The Stars), with Jennifer Bielstein (The Guthrie), Lee Ann Gullie (New York Theatre Workshop), Christine Toy Johnson (Actor and Writer) and Anna Kull (Lark Play Development Center). |
12:30 - 2:00 pm | Lunch and NAMT Annual Membership Meeting Empire Room Sponsored by The Musical Company and Sheridan College, Canadian Music Theatre Project |
2:00 - 3:15 pm | Starting the Conversation Concourse Level Breakout Rooms Attendees will be divided into small groups with the intention of introducing everyone to at least one person they don’t know. In addition to this networking opportunity, we’ll put the tools from the morning’s session to work in intimate conversations designed to get everyone brainstorming and working together. At the end of the session, we’ll come back together and take some time to share insights with the full group. |
3:15 - 3:30 pm | Break |
3:30 - 3:45 pm | Looking Forward to Spring with Pittsburgh CLO |
3:45 - 4:45 pm | Artistic Community Engagement Empire Room How can community engagement be a direct outgrowth of a theatre’s artistic mission and vision and vice versa? What happens when it’s not? How do programs and festivals that aren’t necessarily part of the mainstage circle back to connect audiences and artists in new ways? How can what you put on your stages deepen your relationship with your community? How can leveraging your resources as a hub and a physical space bring people to your art? Moderated by Dan Murphy (Broadway Rose Theatre Company), with Jennifer Jaquess (Red Mountain Theatre Company), Orlando Morales (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Paige Price (Philadelphia Theatre Company) and Kevin Wong (The Musical Stage Company). |
5:00 - 7:00 pm | Networking Cocktail Party Glass House Tavern Sponsored by Samuel French and The Hollywood Pantages |
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 (All times ET )
8:30 - 9:00 am | Breakfast Empire Room and Lobby Join us for a bite and coffee before we begin today’s sessions. Breakfast will be available throughout the morning. Sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide. |
9:00 - 10:15 am | When the Community Engages You: How the Changing Nature of Discourse Affects Theatre Empire Room For years we’ve been harnessing the power of social media to break the fourth wall and make theatre more accessible to fans. But what happens in a culture that’s increasingly polarized? How do you address patrons who feel entitled to tell you they know better? How can you take risks without alienating your loyal but increasingly vocal base? And how can you win over the moderates, who just want to enjoy a night out and may be put off by all the shouting on both sides? With Mark Fleischer (Pittsburgh CLO), Kevin Moore (Human Race Theatre Company), Tori Rezek (Theatre Aspen), Brett Smock (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival) and Diep Tran (American Theatre Magazine/TCG). |
10:15 - 11:30 am | The Political Is Musical Empire Room Has the current political climate affected your programming choices? Should it? Even light-hearted musical comedies may provide examples of lessons learned from history and provide windows into more significant discussions, while darker shows may resonate anew, and new works may address our current social issues directly. Or, if your audience comes to you specifically to escape the news for a couple of hours, what’s your responsibility to them? NAMT members from a variety of theatres and markets will discuss their decision-making processes over the past year (and we want to hear from all of you, too!). Moderated by Wayne Bryan (Music Theatre Wichita), with Julianne Boyd (Barrington Stage Company), Kwofe Coleman (The MUNY), Aaron Jafferis (Festival Alumni Writer, Kingdom & How To Break) and Dave Steakley (ZACH Theatre). |
11:30 am - 12:00 pm | Networking Coffee Break Empire Room and Lobby All-day coffee sponsored by The Musical Company. |
12:00 - 1:15 pm | Commercial/Non-Profit Relationships Empire Room Case studies on recent successful commercial/non-profit partnerships for the development of new musicals from NAMT members. Moderated by Michael Rubinoff (Sheridan College, Canadian Music Theatre Project), with teams from Come From Away (Randy Adams, Junkyard Dog Productions; Elisabeth Farwell-Moreland & Matt Giles, Seattle Repertory Theatre), Bandstand (Mark Hoebee, Paper Mill Playhouse; Tom Smedes & Gabby Palitz), Ars Nova (Renee Blinkwolt & Jason Eagan), and Marsha Brooks (Brooks and Distler, Attorneys at Law). |
1:15 - 2:45 pm | Lunch and Meet the Festival Writers Empire Room Sponsored by Music Theatre International and Disney Theatrical Productions |
2:45 - 3:45 pm | Breakout Sessions Concourse Level Breakout Rooms Concurrent breakout sessions on new works topics and some NAMT insider info! Marketing New Works with Artists’ Involvement How to Create a Writer Residency NAMT’s New Nuts and Bolts Guide to Producing New Musicals New Works in an Academic Setting |
4:00 - 4:45 pm | Partnership Speed-Dating Empire Room A final speed round before we head to the Festival. Share one thing you need or a goal you have going forward. Find a co-production partner. Trade business cards. Solve everyone’s problems in 30 seconds! |
4:45 - 5:00 pm | Wrap-Up Empire Room |
As of 10/11/17. SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Directions and Discounts
Attendees
Daniel Guy
Managing Director
Michael O'Brien
Executive Producer
Kate Galvin
Casting Director/Creative Producer
Nancy Gibbs
Producer
Daniel Thomas
Executive Artistic Director
Rod Kaats
Brannon Bowers
Producing Director
Ryan Cunningham
Christopher Sepulveda
Producer
Kiel Klaphake
CEO/Executive Producer
Meg Fofonoff
Artistic Director/Producer
Arthur Cuadros
Social Media Director
Jennifer Tremblay
Associate Artistic Producer
Pamela Adams
General Manager
Anthony Rodriguez
Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board
Ann-Carol Pence
Co-Founder/Producing Artistic Director
Gretchen Feyer
General Manager
Marilyn Plotkins
Founding Director, Boston Music Theatre Project
Sean Cercone
Founder/CEO
Lysna Marzani
Director of Professional & International Licensing
Tralen Doler
V.P. Partnerships & Brand Engagement
Misy Singson
Professional and UK Licensing
Kat Funkhouser
Manager of Play Publications
David Abbinanti
SVP Music & Publications
Elissa Huang
Manager of Artistic Development
Sharon Maroney
Producing Artistic Director
Dan Murphy
Managing Director
Rick Boynton
Creative Producer
Mark Ciglar
CEO
Cody Lassen
Producer
Scott Levy
Producing Artistic Director
Carolyn Miller
Producer
Matthew Schneider
Producer, Creative Endeavor Office
Dana Harrel
David Scott
Director of Licensing
Patrick Pearson
Director of Artistic Programming
Joe Slabe
Rob Hartmann
Producer
Soren Moller
Artistic Director
Eric Pugh
Director of Marketing and Communications
Marc Robin
Executive Artistic Producer
Donna Lynn Hilton
Artistic Director
Karin Yamamoto
Producer
Nancy Zhao
Director of Theatre
Ken Dingledine
President
Ava Zhou
General Manager
Jane Bergère
Producer
Marleen Alhadeff
Producer
Kenny Alhadeff
Lead Producer
Jonathan Swoboda
Professor
Eric van Baars
Director, School of Theatre and Dance
Natasha Sinha
Associate Artistic Director
Sarah Wigley
Clinical Associate Professor/Resident Director
Julie Gunn
Co-Director, Lyric Theatre @ Illinois
Nathan Gunn
Professor/Director
Michael Baron
Producing Artistic Director
Ashley Wells
Executive Producer
Jim Reynolds
Managing Director
Curt Dale Clark
Artistic Director
Stephanie Dupal
Managing Director
Margot Astrachan
owner
Tom McCoy
President/CEO
Zoë Simpson
Producer
Henry Fonte
Mark Hardy
Coordinator of Musical Theatre/New Works Initiative, Montclair State University
Matthew Boethin
Professional Licensing Director, N. America
Richard Patterson
International Licensing Director
Wayne Bryan
Producing Director
Ted Rawlins
Producer
Ciera Iveson
Adam Grosswirth
Member Services Director
Kelly Kohlman
Jen Whitton
Development Associate
Betsy Militello
Executive Director
Lady del Castillo
Company Manager
Karin Nilo
Program Manager
Carol Ann Lee
Associate Executive Director
Joe Barros
Artistic Director
John Sparks
Founding Director, New Musicals Inc.
Elise Dewsberry
Artistic Director
Cheryl Farley
Director of Marketing and Communications
Brad Kenney
Executive Artistic Director
Jamie Grant
President & CEO
Amy Schwartzreich
Todd Schmidt
Executive Director
Mark Hoebee
Producing Artistic Director
John Simpkins
Head of Musical Theatre
Andy Barnes
Executive Producer
Emily Zeck
Managing Director
Paige Price
Producer
Mark Fleischer
Executive Producer
Avriel Hillman
Guest
Marley Singletary
Producing Executive Director
Kristina Sullivan
Executive Director/Director of Education
Jennifer Jaquess
Managing Director
Keith Cromwell
Executive Director
Kathy Evans
Founding Executive Director
David Kimple
Director of Licensing
Lawrence Haynes
Marketing Associate
Stephen Brotebeck
Professor, Musical Theatre
Mary Jane Avans
Vice President, Business Development
Jana Shea
Producer
Michael Murphy
Rick Edinger
Chair of the Acting/ Music Theater Option; Associate Professor of Music Theater
Alexa Abiscott
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Michael Rubinoff
Producer
Marc Richard
Coordinator
Gail Hakala
Head of Vocal Discipline, Sheridan College
Gillian Saunders
Professor
Mitchell Greco
Artistic Associate
Michael Jenkins
President, Starlight Entertainment
Jim Colleran
Director, Marketing
Bernie Griffin
Managing Director Emeritus and Senior Advisor
Orlando Morales
Jeff Loeb
President
Katie Hotchkiss
Assistant General Manager
Kevin Moore
Anna Kull
Director of Communications & People
Andy Hite
Deadria Harrington
Producing Artistic Director
Kwofe Coleman
President & CEO
Sean Flahaven
Chief Theatricals Executive
Caroline Barnard
Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs
Kevin Wong
Associate Artistic Director
Robert McQueen
Director of New Musical Development
Karen Tanz
Brett Smock
Producing Artistic Director
Brian Sherman
Director, Professional Theater Licensing
Michelle Yaroshko
Senior Vice President, Professional Licensing (North America)
Taneisha Duggan
Associate Producer
Markus Potter
Artistic Producer
Tori Rezek
External Relations Officer
Carlos Armesto
Producing Artistic Director
Chris Alleman
Producing Artistic Director
Joshua Blanchard
Executive Director
Dan Knechtges
Artistic Director
Hillary Hart
Executive Director
Phil Santora
Nick Leonard
Lori Fineman
Producer/Owner
Zach Kaufer
Director of Play Licensing
Steve Spiegel
Owner & CEO
Drew Williams
Tuacahn High School Principal
Harrison Budge
Tuacahn Staff
Ryan Norton
Associate Artistic Producer
Kevin Warnick
CFO
Scott Anderson
Artistic Director
Kyle Lewis
Tuacahn High School Staff
Lowe Cunningham
Director of Creative Development
Brian Hedden
Creative Executive
Valerie Accetta
Head of Musical Theatre
Robb Hunt
Alissa Mortimer
Acting Professor
Harold Mortimer
Professor of Performance
Randy Burke
Board Member
Dave Steakley
Producing Artistic Director
Elisbeth Challener
Producer/Owner
Artistic and Executive Director
Partner
Producer
Show Shepherd
Owner
Commercial Producer
Producer
PRODUCER
President & CEO
Livestream
For the first time, NAMT will livestream the keynote address at the Fall Conference. NAMT members may watch at 9:30 ET on Tuesday, October 17 at namt.org/livestream (login required).
Watch the Livestream NowResources
Structural Racism Glossary (Roundtable on Community Change)
The Language of Disability (Inclusion in the Arts)
Valuing Transgender Employees (National LGBTQ Task Force)
Has “Diversity” Lost Its Meaning? (New York Times “First Words”)
Music Theatre Wichita’s community video
Community Engagement Assessment Tool from Building the Field of Community Engagement, a collaborative initiative composed of six community engagement organizations. (Shared by Orlando Morales from The 5th Avenue Theatre.)
Guidelines for Talking About Race from The 5th Avenue Theatre’s education department:
- Listen and try to understand the viewpoints of others, especially those that you do not agree with
- Avoid stereotypes. Keep in mind that individual experiences are important, but are not necessarily representative of group experiences, attitudes or characteristics
- Acknowledge group experiences. Historical movements and circumstances can create identity—and cultural ties and practices can also be a foundation for a person’s identity.
- Acknowledge diverse experiences and viewpoints.
- Acknowledge historical inequality without assigning blame
- Acknowledge personal obstacles, but avoid discussing race in terms of “fair” and “unfair”
This page was last updated on 11/09/2017