NCTC Events

What is the Producing Gathering?

NCTC is thrilled to announce a new focus for our annual summer gathering. The Producing Theatre Gathering is designed for leaders and administrators from all producing organizations - from Community Theatres and Professional Theatres to everything in-between and outside-of-the-box!

You can expect great conversation and new ideas. Topics will include Audience Development, Marketing, Fundraising, Programming, Financial Management, and more! Special registration packages will be available for groups, so plan to bring your entire staff and board!

Who should attend?

All theatre administrators - Managing/Artistic/Executive Directors, Marketing/Development/Audience Development/Audience Services/Outreach/Education Directors, General and Company Managers, Board Members, Interns, Arts Administration Students, etc.

When and where is the event?

The 2008 Producing Theatre Gathering will take place July 27-29, 2008 in the School of Design and Production at the North Carolina School of the Arts (Winston-Salem).

Where should I stay?

The Wingate Inn in Winston-Salem (www.wingatewinstonsalem.com) is holding a block of rooms at a group rate of $79. To make reservations, call 336.714.2800 and say you are with the NCSA - NC Theatre Conference group.

What are the registration fees?

This event is limited to NCTC members (individuals or organizations), if you are unsure of your membership status, please email angelahays@nctc.org. NCTC member organizations may register an unlimited number of representatives.

Registration is all inclusive. Your package includes all sessions, meals, and events. Meals included are dinner on Sunday; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Monday; and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday.

We encourage you to bring as many representatives as possible, and therefore have a tiered rate system:

First person representing an organization: $85

Second person representing an organization: $75

Each additional representative: $65

How do I register?

All registration should be completed online. You may pay with a credit card or check. If you are registering more than one person, complete a separate registration for each person, but only mail in one check from the organization. If you have any questions, please email angelahays@nctc.org.

What's on the agenda?

Subject to change.

SUNDAY, JULY 27

6:00pm Dinner Event - Hosted by Robert Wildman

If you are arriving in Winston-Salem early, please join us for dinner and cocktails at the home of NCTC Board Member/Gathering Chair Robert Wildman.

MONDAY, JULY 28

9:00am Registration, Continental Breakfast, Networking

10:00am Introductions and Welcome - Angie Hays

10:30am Free Night of Theater 2008 - Phil Matthews

NCTC serves as the NC Managing Partner for Free Night of Theater, a program of Theatre Communications Group. TCG’s Phil Matthews will share best practices from the 2007 program and plans for 2008. For those who participated last year, we look forward to reports on your successes and/or challenges.

11:30am Arts in the Media Idea Exchange - Robert Wildman

Robert Wildman, Director of the MFA Performing Arts Management Program at NCSA and Gathering Chair, leads a roundtable discussion regarding the Arts and the Media. Be prepared to share what is working for you, challenges you are facing, and new ideas.

12:30pm Lunchtime Sharing - Burning Coal Opens New Theatre - Jerome Davis

We will enjoy lunch as Jerome Davis, the Founding Artistic Director of Burning Coal Theatre, shares the story of the journey to renovate the historic Murphy School Auditorium, which opened this year as the company’s new home.

1:30pm NCSA Campus Tour

Faculty members from the School of Design and Production will give us a unique tour of the campus’ seven performance spaces and more than 70,000 square feet of shop space.

2:30pm What’s A Podcast and Is It On Youtube? - Shane Hudson

Shane Hudson, Theatre Administrator, demystifies social networking services, podcasts, RSS feeds, blogs and more. Learn how to harness the power of authenticity through new media in order to deepen your patrons' experience, reach diverse audiences and sell more tickets.

4:00pm Marketing and Audience Development Idea Exchange - Andrew Gall

Andrew Gall, Producing Artistic Director of Parkway Playhouse and President-Elect of NCTC, leads a roundtable discussion regarding marketing and audience development. Be prepared to share what is working for you, challenges you are facing and new ideas.

7:00pm Dinner Event - Hosted by Dave Olson

Dave Olson, Professor of Performing Arts Management at NCSA invites us to enjoy dinner and cocktails at his home in Winston-Salem. The grill will be hot with burgers, hotdogs, and vegetarian choices and the fire pit will be ready for smores roasting. Take this opportunity to socialize, network, and have fun!

TUESDAY, JULY 29

9:00am Registration, Continental Breakfast, Networking

10:00am Financial Management Presentation (topic TBD) - Dave Olson

Back by popular demand! Dave Olson, Professor of Performing Arts Management at NCSA, returns for a detailed financial presentation with tools for implementation in our organizations. More details to come.

11:30am Fundraising Strategies and Priorities - Suzanne Hilser-Wiles

Suzanne Hilser-Wiles, Chief Advancement Officer of the NC School of the Arts and former senior development officer for the Metropolitan Museum and Museum of Modern Art, will discuss the challenges of creating a well-rounded development program with limited resources and things to consider in setting fundraising program priorities.

12:30pm Lunchtime Sharing - Building Better Boards Experience – Ron Law

In November of 2006, Theatre Charlotte was one of 15 non-profits selected to participate in the national Building Better Boards program. In a series of workshops with national board governance and fundraising consultants, this process transformed the Theatre Charlotte Board of Directors and its partnership with the paid staff. The program culminated in a streamlined, engaged board, a successful strategic planning retreat and a new, dynamic mission statement and vision statement. Ron Law, Theatre Charlotte’s Executive Director, will join us to share his experience.

1:30pm Advocacy Basics and Update - Karen Wells

A Legislator actually spoke these words, “All the world’s a stage, as we all know, and what I do in lawmaking is like being on stage sometimes, it’s like performing.” Of course, this particular lawmaker actually has a background in theatre performance. Why is it that theatre people often make such strong advocates? Is it the power of words, the power of story? Join Karen Wells, Executive Director of ARTS North Carolina, for a discussion of advocacy practice, and get ready for the BHAG agenda for 2009-2013 that will transform the arts industry in North Carolina.

2:30pm Creating NCTC’s Advocacy Agenda - NCTC Board and Angie Hays

In the spring of 2009, arts advocates from across the state will unite behind the largest arts agenda ever presented to the NC legislature. Your organizations will be directly effected by the results of this effort, through NC Arts Council grant programs including funding for Community Arts Organizations. In this discussion, led by Angie Hays and NCTC Board Members, we will determine common needs and shared dreams. The result will be your agenda for your statewide service organization.

4:30pm Idea Exchange (Topic TBD)

As our time together comes to an end, the group with determine what issues should be addressed in this final time slot.

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