Mission Statement

The Mission of the North Carolina Theatre Conference is to improve and enhance the environment for quality theatre in North Carolina through service, leadership and advocacy.

Thank you for your interest in the North Carolina Theatre Conference.
 NCTC works first and foremost for the theatre community of North Carolina, and most of our programming is offered by and for North Carolina's theatre practitioners. We improve and enhance the theatre environment in North Carolina by making sure that each and every program we offer and every initiative or goal we pursue is relevant to making North Carolina a better place in which to "Do Theatre."

The inclusion of the word "quality" in the mission statement is important and intentional. By quality, we do not mean to exclude any sector of the field; quality may mean different things in a sixth-grade drama class, a professional LORT theatre, a professional training program, an evolving professional company, in a community theatre or at a community college. It may mean the quality of the experience for the participants, for the audience, or for the art of theatre in general. We support all levels and all sectors of the theatre field and strive to build a membership and a board of directors that reflects that diversity.

History

A Brief History of NCTC

The North Carolina Theatre Conference, Inc., a North Carolina nonprofit corporation registered under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, was founded in 1970. Its initial incorporators were Marian Smith, Herman Middleton, and Maynard G. French. For many years the organization existed as a purely voluntary association with no paid staff. The first Executive Director, Martha Keravuori, was eventually hired, followed in 1998 with the hiring of David zum Brunnen . In 2002 Terry Milner assumed the role of Executive Director. NCTC is currently led by Angie Hays who joined NCTC as Executive Director on July 1, 2007. The Executive Director is assisted by a part-time, seasonal program assistant as well as paid and unpaid interns.

For most of its history, NCTC operated on a model not unlike that of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). This was not coincidental, as NCTC and SETC were founded by the same individuals. This structure consisted of an Executive Committee made up of representatives of various "Divisions" within the theatre field: Professional, College/University, Community Theatre, K-12, and so on. In 1997-1998, the membership of NCTC voted to restructure the organization, eliminating "divisions" in the structure of the organization while simultaneously recognizing the need to continue to create programs and pursue initiatives that are relevant and specific to the various sectors of the field. A new Executive Director, David zum Brunnen, was hired on January 1, 1997. The new Executive Director was made a voting member of the board and was unambiguously designated as the leader of the organization.

NCTC has since expanded its budget and the scope of its programming, and policy advocacy has been added to NCTC's list of initiatives.

The future of theatre in North Carolina and of NCTC in particular depends on the continued support of members of the theatre community and its supporters. The task ahead is to continue to make sure that the services we offer are always relevant, tangible and beneficial to our membership – and to the people of North Carolina.

Programs and Membership

NCTC's Programming

NCTC's programming is designed to serve every sector of the theatre field in North Carolina: Professional, Educational, Emerging Professional and Community Theatre. Each year we sponsor two conferences, manage and sponsor the NCTC High School and Middle School Play Festivals, award one professional theatre management internship and one scholarship, recognize an outstanding new North Carolina playwright , sponsor and manage a professional unified audition for North Carolina's professional theatres, and much more.

In 2004, NCTC began implementation of a long-term plan to engage theatre audiences from across the state, focussing on increasing audiences and awareness for theatre in general, and our member theatres and artists in particular. The centerpiece of this strategy was the Stoneleaf Theatre Festival, which debuted to rave reviews and enthusiastic support in Asheville in May-June, 2005. The festival continued to be a success in 2006 . NCTC will not produce Stoneleaf in 2007 but is continuing to explore ways to showcase North Carolina artists and theatre companies.

Membership and Dues

The current structure of the organization is as flat and as inclusive as possible. NCTC is a membership organization, with an average of approximately 600 current, active individual and organizational members. Click here for details and membership forms!

Board, Staff and Committee Composition

The Executive Director is the leader of the organization, supported by a strong board of directors made up of 18 individuals drawn from the theatre field at large. Members are elected for three-year terms, and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The Board Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer) are elected at the first board meeting of the fiscal year. These board positions are maintained for legal reasons; there is very little hierarchy intended by their existence. On occasion, the officers will serve as a consultative body with the Executive Director to assist in those day-to-day decisions which do not legally require board approval but on which the E.D. wishes to have board guidance.

Standing and ad hoc committees or "teams" exist with members drawn from both the board and the membership at large, but these committees are designed not to represent constituencies but rather to bring together people from various sectors to work together on a specific project or event.

Board Meetings and Annual Membership Meeting

The NCTC Board is a working board. As a statewide organization we meet only quarterly, but many activities occur between meetings in which board members are often asked to participate. We also hold a board retreat in early September, usually in the same city where the annual gathering will be held. All board meetings are open to any members of NCTC who wish to attend.

Once a year, according to the bylaws, a meeting of the members of NCTC is held, usually in the same location and at the same time as the Annual Gathering. Copies of the bylaws are available to any member who requests them.

Relationships with Other Organizations

The North Carolina Theatre Conference receives funding from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts.

NCTC and/or its staff are currently members of various service organizations, including:

> American Association of Community Theatre
> Arts North Carolina
> NC Center for Nonprofits
> Southeastern Theatre Conference
>Association of Performing Arts Service Organizations
> Theatre Communications Group

Copyright © 2005 North Carolina Theatre Conference, Inc.