Woodie King Jr. (1937 – 2026)
Transitioned Thursday, January 29, 2026. He was 88.
Friday, most had awoken to the news that Woodie King Jr had transitioned on Thursday. A mighty tree had fallen, and collective pain was heard through NTC over this tremendous loss.
“They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better.
For they existed.”
--Maya Angelou
Woodie joined the National Theatre Conference in 1975
See a full tribute from NTC Board Member Baron Kelly HERE
Transitioned Thursday, January 29, 2026. He was 88.
Friday, most had awoken to the news that Woodie King Jr had transitioned on Thursday. A mighty tree had fallen, and collective pain was heard through NTC over this tremendous loss.
“They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better.
For they existed.”
--Maya Angelou
Woodie joined the National Theatre Conference in 1975
See a full tribute from NTC Board Member Baron Kelly HERE
Founded in 1925, National Theatre Conference is a nonprofit organization comprised of accomplished theatre practitioners and academics nominated for membership by their peers. At our annual conference, we seed new ideas, engage essential issues of our art form, advocate for change in our field, honor individuals and organizations that inspire us—and connect in active community.
A century on...
NTC embraces an ever more progressive,
equitable, diverse, and inclusive membership,
a unique confluence of artists, academics,
practitioners, scholars, producers, and
other theatremakers from across the country.
equitable, diverse, and inclusive membership,
a unique confluence of artists, academics,
practitioners, scholars, producers, and
other theatremakers from across the country.
HistoryA short history of the National Theatre Conference... and a link to a place you might dig deeper
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Annual AwardsAt each conference, NTC recognizes a Person of the Year, Outstanding Theatre, and recipients of Paul Green, Emerging Professional, and Barrie & Bernice Stavis Playwright awards
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Member PortalThis must be the place, NTC: find conference registration, pledge payment links, and your peers, all here
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a 100-year conversation... |
From top: Fran Dorn in conversation with Robert Schenkkan, NTC Idea Cafe, 2018; Paul Green Award recipient Jeremy O. Harris and Person of the Year Robert O'Hara, 2019; holiday gathering at The Players, 2018; Native Theatre in America Panel led by Randy Reinholz, with Jake Hart, Muriel Miguel, Tanis Parenteau, Jean Bruce Scott & DeLanna Studi, 2018