Fall Conference 2018
Musical Theatre: Past, Present, Future
October 23 - 24, 2018
TKP New York, 109 West 39th Street, NYC
NAMT’s Fall Conference is the networking event of the year, bringing NAMT members together to discuss the future of musical theatre.
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
At this year’s Fall Conference, held in conjunction with the 30th Annual Festival of New Musicals, we looked at how NAMT and our members are working together to bring musical theatre into the future while also preserving its history. Where is the industry going, where do we want it to be going, and what is NAMT’s role in getting it there?
Fall Conference registration includes:
- panels, speakers, case studies and breakout discussions
- 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. 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.
- The more people you bring, the more you save!
- Member early registration rates for the full Conference were $400 – $525 per person.
- New this year: Deep discounts if you bring three or more people from your organization!
- Additional options are be available for single day rates, Associate Members and invited non-members.
- Register early for the best rates!
- Member early registration rates for the full Conference were $400 – $525 per person.
- Deadlines:
- Early Registration: September 23
- All prices increased by $100 on September 24
- Final Registration: October 14
- Cancellation: October 10
- Registrations cancelled through October 1 will be refunded, less a $100 cancellation fee. After October 10, 2018, no refunds will be possible.
- Payments must be received by October 1. If a registration is canceled due to non-payment, attendees will have to re-register at the current pricing.
- Early Registration: September 23
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
We are very grateful to the sponsors and exhibitors of the 2018 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)
Mark Fleischer, Pittsburgh CLO (PA)
Robb Hunt, Village Theatre (WA)
Jennifer Jaquess, Red Mountain Theatre Company (AL)
Orlando Morales, The 5th Avenue Theatre (WA)
Fall Conference Committee
Hillary Hart, Theatre Under the Stars (TX), Chair
Taneisha Duggan, TheatreWorks Hartford (CT)
Cody Lassen, Cody Lassen & Associates (NY)
Scott Levy, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Theatre Company (CO)
Jeff Rane, Uptown Players (TX)
Amy Rogers, Pace New Musicals (NY)
"Finding the Future"
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Keynote Speaker David Henry Hwang
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Breakfast Meet and Greet
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Networking Cocktail Party
Photo by Ric Kallaher
Breakfast Meet and Greet
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Breakfast Meet and Greet
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Networking Cocktail Party
Photo by Ric Kallaher
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Breakfast Meet and Greet
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Breakfast Meet and Greet
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Breakfast Meet and Greet
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Breakfast Meet and Greet
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Breakfast Meet and Greet
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Networking "Speed-Dating"
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Networking "Speed-Dating"
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Networking "Speed-Dating"
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Networking "Speed-Dating"
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Networking "Speed-Dating"
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Networking "Speed-Dating"
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
Board President Elisbeth Challener Kicks off the Conference
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
David Henry Hwang in conversation with Laura Heywood
Photo by Jeffrey Lee, On The Spot Image
"Audiences: Fact vs. Fiction"
Breakout Session
Networking Cocktail Party
Photo by Ric Kallaher
"Revivals: Responsibility and Opportunity"
Agenda
DownloadTuesday, October 23, 2018 (All times ET )
| 9:00 - 9:30 am | Check-in and Breakfast TKP NY Grab your badge and conference materials and join us for breakfast (and lots of coffee) and some morning networking time. (Breakfast will be available through the morning as other sessions continue.) Sponsored by Disney Theatrical Productions & Ogunquit Playhouse |
| 9:30 - 10:30 am | Speed-Dating Bryant Park Room A fast-paced and fun opportunity for you to meet-and-greet your fellow Conference attendees. |
| 10:30 - 11:30 am | Keynote: David Henry Hwang in conversation with Laura Heywood Empire Room Tony Award-winner David Henry Hwang will kick off the Fall Conference with a keynote conversation about the past, present and future of musical theatre. In addition to many plays, musicals and opera libretti, Hwang’s latest musical, Soft Power, written with Jeanine Tesori, recently premiered at Center Theatre Group (National Fund for New Musicals production grant recipient). SF Gatesaid this new musical “deserves to be known as one of the defining theatrical works of the Trump era.”
David Henry Hwang is a playwright, screenwriter, television writer, and librettist, whose stage works includes the plays M. Butterfly, Chinglish, Yellow Face, Kung Fu, Golden Child, The Dance and the Railroad, and FOB, as well as the Broadway musicals Aida (co-author), Flower Drum Song (2002 revival) and Disney’s Tarzan. Hwang is a Tony Award winner and three-time nominee, a three-time OBIE Award winner, and a two-time Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He is also America’s most-produced living opera librettist, whose works have been honored with two Grammy Awards, and he co-wrote the Gold Record “Solo” with the late pop star Prince. Hwang is currently a Writer/Consulting Producer for the Golden Globe-winning television series The Affair. His screenplays include Possession, M. Butterfly, and Golden Gate. Hwang was a Residency One Playwright at Signature Theatre, which produced a season of his plays, and M. Butterfly was recently revived on Broadway. His opera An American Soldier, with composer Huang Ruo, will premiere in June 2018 at Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Recent honors include 2011 PEN/Laura Pels Award for a Master American Dramatist, the 2012 Inge Award, the 2012 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright “Mimi” Award, a 2014 Doris Duke Artist Award, and a 2015 Ford Foundation “Art of Change” Award. He serves on the Board of the Lark Play Development Center, as Head of Playwriting at Columbia University School of the Arts, and as Chair of the American Theatre Wing.
Laura Heywood is a professional enthusiast: a multi-faceted host, consultant, performer, pundit, and writer widely recognized for her commitment to positivity. Through her social media persona @BroadwayGirlNYC, Laura has become “Broadway’s most influential fan” (CBS This Morning) and “the most vocal and visible supporter in the business” (Forbes). in 2018 she worked as the in-house Broadway expert and Video Package Supervisor on the 2018 Tony Awards. She regularly acts as a celebrity interviewer for outlets including Build Series and CBS New York, and moderates talkbacks and hosts special events on Broadway stages. She has worked in fields ranging from sports radio (San Francisco Giants) to commercial acting (Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty) to celebrity talent booking (Sirius XM), always bringing a point of view of contagious joy. As a social media expert, Laura has worked with Bebe Neuwirth (Tony Award winner); LaChanze (Tony Award winner); Tori Amos (Grammy Award nominee); FOUND: The Musical off Broadway; Actors Equity; The American Musical & Dramatic Academy; Grant Thornton; and The Kilroys. She volunteers regularly and is on the Board of Directors for the national arts & education non-profit Story Pirates. www.LauraHeywoodMedia.com |
| 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | Finding the Future Empire Room What does the future of musical theatre look like and what do we want it to look like? Where are new shows/artists/administrators/audiences coming from? What stories are being told? What responsibility do NAMT and its members have for actively shaping the future? Moderated by Hillary Hart (Theatre Under the Stars), with Kathy Evans (Rhinebeck Writers Retreat), Cody Lassen (Cody Lassen & Associates), Amy Rogers Schwartzreich (Pace University), Natasha Sinha (LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater and Musical Theatre Factory), and Mei Ann Teo (Musical Theatre Factory). |
| 1:00 - 2:15 pm | Lunch & Annual Membership Meeting Empire Room Sponsored by The Musical Company & Theatre Under The Stars |
| 2:30 - 3:30 pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions: Group Discussions by Budget Size Discussion groups by organization size to discuss pressing topics among similar organizations. Organizations with operating budgets under $2 million Organizations with operating budgets from $2 million to $5 million Organizations with operating budgets from $5 million to $12 million Organizations with operating budgets over $12 million |
| 3:45 - 5:00 pm | When New(er) Works Are (Brand) New To You Empire Room How can a theatre known for classics successfully add new/er works into the mix? Will audiences follow? Will new audiences come? Moderated by Mark Fleischer (Pittsburgh CLO), with Keith Cromwell (Red Mountain Theatre), Mandy Greenfield (Williamstown Theatre Festival) and Dan Murphy (The Broadway Rose Theatre Company). |
| 5:30 - 7:30 pm | Networking Cocktail Party Glass House Tavern Sponsored by Samuel French & Pittsburgh CLO |
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 (All times ET )
| 8:30 - 9:00 am | Breakfast TKP NY Breakfast will be available throughout the morning sessions. Sponsored by Ticketmaster & Shea’s Performing Arts Center |
| 9:00 - 10:00 am | Revivals: Responsibility and Opportunity Empire Room Times change, and norms of acceptability change with them. How can we honor musical theatre’s legacy while providing context for modern audiences? How can we preserve what makes these musicals worthwhile despite “problematic” material? Should we? Moderated by Jeff Rane (Uptown Players), with Curt Dale Clark (Maine State Music Theatre), Kwofe Coleman (The MUNY), Meg Fofonoff (Art Lab), Sara Holdren (New York Magazine), and Georgia Stitt (Festival Alumni Writer). |
| 10:00 - 11:15 am | Audiences: Fact vs. Fiction Empire Room What assumptions are we making about our audiences and how do they affect our programming choices? How can data help us sort out fact from bias? Moderated by Taneisha Duggan (TheaterWorks Hartford), with Tory Bailey (Theatre Development Fund), Michael Baron (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), Kate Hagen (TRG Arts) and Donna Lynn Hilton (Goodspeed Musicals). |
| 11:15 - 11:45 am | Networking Coffee Break Empire Room All-day coffee sponsored by The Hollywood Pantages |
| 11:45 am - 1:00 pm | Setting Up For Success and Succession Empire Room Where is the next generation of theatre-makers coming from, and what will they find when they get here? What does a career in theatre administration look like in 2018? Are our institutions welcoming to all? Are we guiding and nurturing the next generation to step into our shoes and take the lead? Moderated by Phil Santora (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), with Renee Blinkwolt & Jillian Rorer (Ars Nova), Marsha Brooks (Brooks & Distler), David Mallette (Management Consultants for the Arts) and Mitchell Marcus (The Musical Stage Company). |
| 1:00 - 2:15 pm | Lunch & Festival Preview Empire Room Sponsored by Tams Witmark & The Marriott Theatre |
| 2:30 - 3:30 pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions Small group discussion on topics of interest! National New Play Network Rolling World Premieres Body Autonomy: Addressing Abuse and Harassment in Theatre Executive Search Social, Streaming, and Equity |
| 3:45 - 5:00 pm | World of Tomorrow: Technology and Musical Theatre Empire Room How are new forms of technology affecting the way we produce and consume theatre? How might theatres engage audiences and artists using virtual or augmented reality? What new tools are available to artists and crew in rehearsals? How will this affect the art being produced? Moderated by Scott Levy (Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Theatre Company), with Tim Kashani (Apples and Oranges Arts), Søren Møller (Fredericia Theatre), Kevin Warnick (Tuacahn Amphitheatre) and Kyle Wright (The Shubert Organization). |
| 5:00 - 5:30 pm | Wrap-Up Empire Room |
As of 10/9/18. SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Directions and Discounts
Attendees
Daniel Guy
Managing Director
Grayce Hoffman
Nancy Gibbs
Producer
Daniel Thomas
Executive Artistic Director
Stephanie Rhoads-Bickham
Board of Directors
Ryan Cunningham
Amy Schwartzreich
Ally Rice
Digital media editor
Landon Zwick
Brian Adam Davis
Tim Kashani
Co-founder
Arthur Cuadros
Choreographer/Producer
Meg Fofonoff
Artistic Director/Producer
Camron Parker
Associate General Manager
Pamela Adams
General Manager
Anthony Rodriguez
Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board
Renita James
Director of Education
Christian Magby
Artist in Residence
Ann-Carol Pence
Co-Founder/Producing Artistic Director
Claire Glubiak
Associate
Tralen Doler
V.P. Partnerships & Brand Engagement
Sean Cercone
Founder/CEO
Sharon Maroney
Producing Artistic Director
Dan Murphy
Managing Director
Marsha Brooks
Partner
Rick Edinger
Chair of the Acting/ Music Theater Option; Associate Professor of Music Theater
Kate Lovelady
Director of Education
Aislinn Frantz
Associate Producer
Rick Boynton
Creative Producer
Cody Lassen
Producer
Ryan Bañagale
Crown Family Professor for Innovation in the Arts
Sean Flahaven
Chief Theatricals Executive
Kate Galvin
Casting Director/Creative Producer
Carolyn Miller
Producer
Matthew Schneider
Producer
David Scott
Director, Worldwide Licensing
Nathan Halvorson
Associate Director of Performing Arts
Scott Levy
Producing Artistic Director
Deborah Barrera
Managing Producer
Rob Hartmann
Producer
Soren Moller
Creative Producer
Kelly Robinson
Artistic Director
Hannah Mirvish
Artistic Producer
Anika Chapin
Director of Artistic Development
Donna Lynn Hilton
Artistic Director
Marleen Alhadeff
Producer
Kenny Alhadeff
Lead Producer
Dayal Singh
Programme Leader (Musical Theatre)
Yu-Ning Chang
Marymount Manhattan College, Faculty
Jenny Hester
Business Development Director
Craig Krawczyk
President | Lead Design Architect
Michael Baron
Producing Artistic Director
Ashley Wells
Executive Producer
Jim Reynolds
Managing Director
Stephanie Dupal
Managing Director
Curt Dale Clark
Artistic Director
Margot Astrachan
owner
Tom McCoy
President/CEO
Victoria Saxton
Executive Director
James Hadley
Executive Director, MTN
Eugene Dizon
Executive Producer
Walter Stearns
Executive Producer
Henry Fonte
Mark Hardy
Coordinator of Musical Theatre/New Works Initiative, Montclair State University
Stephanie Riso
MTAP Consultant
Jeanne Drennan
Executive Director
Bridget McDonough
General Manager, retired
Kyle Dougan
Producing Artistic Director
Matt Boethin
Professional Licensing Director, N. America
Richard Patterson
International Licensing Director
Wayne Bryan
Producing Director
Bren Thor
Associate Producer
Paul Garman
Executive Director/Producer
Ted Rawlins
Producer
Jen Whitton
Development Associate
Ciera Iveson
Kelly Kohlman
Karin Nilo
Program Manager
Adam Grosswirth
Member Services Director
Betsy Militello
Executive Director
Nancy Barnett
Executive Director
Elise Dewsberry
Artistic Director
Scott Guy
Executive Director
Angela Grant
Director of Sales
Kent Bridges
Managing Director
Brad Kenney
Executive Artistic Director
Rod Kaats
Aaron Wheeler
Interim General Manager and Associate Producer
Mark Hoebee
X+D804:H804
John Simpkins
Head of Musical Theatre
Andy Barnes
Executive Producer
Paige Price
Producer
Van Kaplan
Mark Fleischer
Executive Producer
Jim Aldridge
Producer
Vinetta Strombergs
Director
Marley Singletary
Producing Executive Director
Kristina Sullivan
Executive Director/Director of Education
Keith Cromwell
Executive Director
Jennifer Jaquess
Managing Director
Kathy Evans
Founding Executive Director
Tess Dowdeswell
Producer
James Dacre
Artistic Director
Courtney Kochuba
Senior Director of Marketing
David Kimple
Director of Licensing
Stephen Brotebeck
Professor, Musical Theatre
Jeffrey Herrmann
Managing Director
Jana Shea
Producer
Michael Murphy
Thembi Duncan
Director of Arts Engagement and Education
Patrick Brady
Associate Professor of Musical Theatre
Marc Richard
Coordinator
Michael Rubinoff
Producer
Scott Evans
Artistic Director
Wendy Macdonald
Executive Director
Wendy Gillespie
President & CEO
Jim Colleran
Director, Marketing
Rebecca Marzalek-Kelly
General Manager
Craig Stekeur
Membership Associate
Jennifer Cleary
Director of Membership & Marketing
Bill Berry
Producing Artistic Director
Bernie Griffin
Managing Director Emeritus and Senior Advisor
Jeff Loeb
President
Katie Hotchkiss
Assistant General Manager
Aaron Thielen
Co-Founder
Andy Hite
Dennis Reagan
Consultant, Past President & CEO, The Muny
Kwofe Coleman
President & CEO
Ellen Wallace
Guest
Robert McQueen
Director of New Musical Development
Mitchell Marcus
Lynne Wheeler
Karen Tanz
Michelle Yaroshko
SVP, Professional Licensing (North America)
Brian Sherman
Director, Professional Theater Licensing
Rob Ruggiero
Producing Artistic Director
Taneisha Duggan
Associate Producer
Chris Alleman
Producing Artistic Director
Colt Neidhardt
Director of Education and Community Outreach
Hillary Hart
Executive Director at Theatre Under The Stars
Phil Santora
Brad Lohrenz
Vice President Professional & International Licensing
Lysna Marzani
Director of Professional & International Licensing
Lori Fineman
Producer/Owner
Jenny Niederhoffer
Kevin Smith
CEO
Scott Anderson
Artistic Director
Kevin Warnick
CFO
Averill Corkin
Tuacahn High School Staff
Kyle Lewis
Tuacahn High School Staff
Mildred Yuan
Agent, Head of Musical Theatre and Dance
Lowe Cunningham
Director of Creative Development
Valerie Accetta
Head of Musical Theatre
Jeff Rane
Executive Producer / Production
VP Boyle
Creative Director, LiveRead@SDA
Michael Ballam
Founding General Director
Zachary Dunbar
Dr Zachary Dunbar, Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne
Jerry Dixon
Robb Hunt
Brandon Ivie
Associate Artistic Director
Kristin Kern
Board Member
John Zirkle
Executive Director
Dana Harrel
Executive Entertainment Director, Disneyland Paris
Shawn Churchman
Steve Stettler
Susanna Gellert
Executive Artistic Director
Christine Burke
Ms. Wheelchair America 2022/Disability consultant
Randy Burke
Board Member
Dave Steakley
Producing Artistic Director
Elisbeth Challener
Producer/Owner
Artistic Director
President of the Board
Producer/General Manager
Show Shepherd
Owner
Producer
Guidelines
Participation Guidelines
NAMT is committed to recognizing and celebrating the diversity of experiences, talents, skills, cultures and opinions that our members bring to our community, and specifically to our events. We invite you to participate in the Fall Conference and Festival of New Musicals in a spirit of open-mindedness, curiosity and respect.
We want every NAMT event to be a safe, inclusive and productive environment for all participants. In that spirit, we ask you to…
- Be inclusive, actively seeking and inviting diverse perspectives
- Listen to understand
- Participate in an active and direct way, with professionalism and respect for others
- Be considerate, kind, constructive and helpful in your language and actions
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior and language
- Respect confidentiality requests by speakers and other attendees
NAMT staff and Board may take action (up to and including expulsion with no refund and exclusion from future events) to redress disruptive, disrespectful or offensive behavior or any other actions deemed in conflict with the above guidelines.
Thank you to every NAMT community member for helping to make all of our events informative, inclusive and respectful.
Resources
Crowdsourced Resources for POC Theatre Artists (the “list of lists” discussed by Natasha Sinha on the “Future of Musical Theatre” panel)
Howlround Articles on Transitions (discussed by Paige Price during the “Succession Success” panel)
A User’s Guide To Leadership Transition
Shifting Institutions, Shifting Audiences
Teach Them How To Say Goodbye
Sunsetting A Nonprofit Arts Organization
Michael Ballam’s insert that was designed to fall out of UFOMT’s programs so as not to be missed (discussed during the “Revivals: Responsibility and Opportunities” panel)
Dear friends, there are words and situations in this production which will offend you. They should. They are part of our shameful past. Let us celebrate how far we have progressed, acknowledge the distance we have yet to go, resolve individually to do all we can do to right these wrongs and pray for the day when all mankind can live together in peace and harmony.
Michael Ballam, Founding General Director, Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre
This page was last updated on 11/20/2018