The 2016 Annual MeetingDecember 2 - 4, 2016 New York City
Friday, December 2Session 1: New Members, The Players Club
The day started at The Players, with a continental breakfast, a warm welcome from NTC President Risa Brainin and the introduction of NTC's newest members:
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Session 2: Brooklyn Academy of Music
Session 4: Theatre for a New AudienceThe Polonsky Shakespeare Center, home to Theatre for a New Audience, opened its doors in October 2013. The Center houses a 299-seat Elizabethan courtyard Mainstage, the first theatre built in New York City for Shakespeare and classic drama since the Vivian Beaumont at Lincoln Center in the 1960s. This ambitious new theater space came to life thanks, in great part, to the leadership, vision and tenacity of Founding Artistic Director Jeffrey Horowitz, who offered NTC members an extraordinary opportunity to go behind the scenes and gain a fuller understanding of architecture and design of this exceptional and thoughtfully constructed space.
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After an extensive full tour of the facilities, members gathered in the house with Mr. Horowitz, for further discussion and a Q &A session that covered everything from the various shades of black used in the house area, to TFANA's lengthy, convoluted, ultimately successful journey from itinerant, downtown Manhattan theater company, to an anchoring member of Brooklyn's growing arts scene.
Saturday, December 3Session 5: Laurie McCants and Jon White-Spunner
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Members were treated to an excerpt from You For Me For You by Stavis Award recipient Mia Chung, directed by Claudia Weill.
The play follows the journey of two sisters, Minhee and Junhee, as they attempt to flee the Best Nation in the World, North Korea, but at the border the two sisters are torn apart. Each must race across time and space to be together again—navigating the perilous Land of the Free and the treacherous terrain of personal belief. The reading was followed by a short discussion with Mia Chung, director Claudia Weill and the cast, moderated by NTC's Liz Engelman. Ms. Chung discussed her journey with this charming, haunting, heart-wrenching play; how it has changed over time, with different productions and with the benefit of an international perspective when she was at the Royal Court in London. |
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Session 7: Awards Luncheon
The annual luncheon is always one of the highlights of the annual meeting, offering members an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, socialize with new members and celebrate the recipients of NTC's annual awards. This year, the luncheon also offered the opportunity to remember, with great fondness, those who are no longer with us. This year we recognized the passing of former NTC member James Houghton and 1971 Person of the Year Zelda Fichandler. A very moving and heartfelt toast was offered by Linda Burson for long-time NTC Member and 1986 Person of the Year, Martha Coigney.
National Theatre Conference presented the following awards:
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Session 8: Q & A with George Takei
NTC member Sharon Ott moderated a lively, moving and wide ranging discussion with Person of the Year George Takei.
Candid, direct, humorous, generous and inspiring, George Takei's discussion and Q&A, moderated by NTC member Sharon Ott, served as a wonderful celebration of an artist who has utilized the opportunity of his position to raise awareness, bring about social change and lift up those around him.
Watch Sharon Ott's discussion with George Takei in it's entirety HERE.
Watch Sharon Ott's discussion with George Takei in it's entirety HERE.
Sunday, December 4
Session 9: In the House with Hamilton Sound Designer Nevin Steinberg
Session 10: Meeting of the Membership
Session 11: Idea Cafe - Cultural Mapping
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