NCTC Producing Gathering – July 21-23, 2013 at Triad Stage
All events take place at Triad Stage, unless otherwise noted. Schedule subject to change. Please check back regularly for developments.
Sunday, July 21
9:30am - 5:00pm - Pre-Conference: Producing for the Play Festival - Click here for more information.
5:30 - 7:30 - Kick-Off Dinner Event at The Worx - Theatre artists, administrators and educators gather for food, drink and conversation at this casual dinner event. (106 Barnhardt Street in downtown Greensboro)
Monday, July 22
9:00am - Registration, Coffee and Networking
9:30 - 11:00 – Introductions and Welcome, Keynote Address: Ben Cameron
As Program Director for the Arts at the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ben Cameron is one of the theatre industry’s leading thinkers and most in-demand speakers. His TED Talk on the Power of the Performing Arts has been viewed over 260,000 times online and he has been the featured speaker at arts gatherings around the world. Ben is the former Executive Director of TCG, a former Theatre Director of the National Endowment for the Arts and a native North Carolinian!
11:00 - 11:30 – Coffee and Networking
11:30 – 12:30
Presentation: Volunteers as Advocates and Fundraisers – In this session, Brook and Mindy will engage you in the process of understanding how best to work with volunteers to achieve mutual success. (Brook Wingate, Director of Development at Triad Stage and Mindy Oakley, Triad Stage Board Member)
Presentation: Getting on the Strategic Planning Bus -The strategic planning bus originally visited NCTC in 2010 and is circling back around, by popular demand! Dave Olson will lead you through both the value and process of strategic thinking in your organization. Updated topics will include visioning, change management, organizational learning, and alternative strategic planning methods. Dave says, “This session is not to be missed, so hop on the bus, there is room for everyone!” (Dave Olson, Director of the Performing Arts Management Program at UNCSA)
Idea Exchange: College Theatre Department’s Role in Audience Development – Does “Theatre Appreciation” build audiences?
12:30 - 1:45 – Lunch in the Cabaret (provided)
1:45 - 3:00
Presentation: Creative Curriculum – Techniques for theatre companies to take state educational standards and create fun, hands-on, show-focused curriculum for K-12 students. Participants will also learn how to form meaningful partnerships with teachers. Emily first presented this session at the 2009 Producing Gathering and is back with an updated version, due to popular demand! (Emily Nettnin Earle, Education Consultant)
Panel Discussion: The Parchman Hour – This esteemed panel will discuss the process of developing Documentary Theatre and using it as a way to launch community-wide conversations. Facilitated by Preston Lane (Artistic Director, Triad Stage) with Mike Wiley (Playwright), Joe Haj (Producing Artistic Director, PlayMakers Repertory Company) and Tom Quaintance (Artistic Director, Cape Fear Regional Theatre)
Idea Exchange: Champagne Design on a Beer Budget - How can we make professional quality design decisions with limited budgets? We’ll share resources, construction techniques, and concrete examples of ways to elevate production quality. (Chris Timmons, Associate Artistic Director at Theatre Charlotte)
3:00 - 3:30 - Caffeine Break
3:30 - 5:00 - Breakout Conversations by Organization Type and Size – We’ll connect you with colleagues from organizations that are similar in size and scope. You’ll have a group leader and discussion questions, but this time is yours to spend as you see fit, to converse about pressing challenges, explore partnerships or just connect!
6:00 – We’ll convene at Tripps for dinner, networking and conversations; participants pay on their own. (4402 W. Wendover Avenue)
Tuesday, July 23
9:00am – Registration, Coffee and Networking
9:30 - 10:30
Presentation: Crowd Funding – What Works? – Shane is back with another cutting-edge presentation. He’ll share the pros and cons, and do’s and don’ts of crowd funding, covering Kickstarter, IndiGoGo, Power2Give and more! (Shane Hudson, Social Media Consultant)
Idea Exchange: Access Trends and Technology – Learn about the new assisted listening system installed at Triad Stage and engage in a discussion of audio description, sensory seminars, open caption, sign interpretation, and autism-friendly performances. (Ryan Retartha, Production Manager at Triad Stage)
Idea Exchange: Training Gaps - What is missing from undergraduate theatre training and how can theatre companies fill the void? (Keith Martin, Distinguished Professor of Theatre, Appalachian State University)
10:30 - 11:00 – Coffee and Networking
11:00 - 12:00
Presentation: The Art of the Ask - In this interactive session, Brook Wingate will help participants channel their passion for theatre into successful fundraising strategies. You’ll leave this session with the tools and confidence needed to tell your story and ask for support. (Brook Wingate, Director of Development at Triad Stage)
Share Your Ideas: NCAC Strategic Planning – The North Carolina Arts Council is working on a new strategic plan and they want your help! You can help shape the direction for our State Arts Council in this discussion with its leaders. With NCAC staff Wayne Martin (Executive Director), Nancy Trovillion (Deputy Director), Jeff Pettus (Senior Program Director), and David Potorti (Literature and Theatre Director).
Idea Exchange: Building Opening Night Excitement – Turn your opening nights into exciting, must-attend celebrations! (Amanda Clark, NCTC General Manager)
12:00 - 1:30 – Lunch (on your own in downtown Greensboro)
1:30 - 2:30
Presentation: Building Budgets for Grant Applications – Learn the keys to creating project budgets that enhance your case for support. What can you include, what are funders looking for, and how can you most effectively tell your story through numbers? (Hannah Grannemann, Managing Director at PlayMakers Repertory Company)
Idea Exchange: Volunteer Management and Motivation – Share what works for you and what challenges your theatre is facing, in this roundtable conversation. How can we keep volunteers engaged and make their experience meaningful to them and our organizations? (Charles Phaneuf, Executive Director at Raleigh Little Theatre)
Idea Exchange: The Audience Experience – How can we enhance the audience experience, from the moment of arrival, to curtain speeches, tweet seats, drinks in the theatre, intermission activities and more? Bring success stories and challenges, to share with your peers!
2:30 - 3:00 – Caffeine Break
3:00 - 4:30 – Break-outs by Job Title – Your statewide theatre community is full of peers who are facing the same challenges as you. This is a time to make new friends within your discipline, share success stories and strategies, and build your network of resources. You’ll leave with new ideas and plenty of contacts to consult with throughout the year!
*Consultations with Shane Hudson and Brook Wingate will also be scheduled.
