NAMT's two annual Conferences bring together top industry professionals to discuss issues facing the industry, learn about innovations, network and brainstorm. Click the links below to see agendas and attendee lists for the past few years - a small sample of over 20 years' worth of Conferences.

Fall 2011
Doctor's Orders: Ensuring A Long, Healthy Life For Musical Theatre

At the 2011 Fall Conference, we explored the health of musical theatre today, looking holistically at new musical development, financing, working with writers and agents, sharing work for continued life, collaborating with other producers, and more, for an annual check-up of the field. We focused on solutions and results, working together towards a prescription for a long and healthy life! Highlights included a keynote address by legendary director and producer Harold Prince, panels on diversity, reducing costs, and making cast recordings and demos, and breakout sessions on working with lawyers and agents, and orchestrators and copyists.

Spring 2011
Bridging the Gap: Fundraising in the New Economy

This Conference explored strategies for obtaining and cultivating donors, with a focus on building long-term relationships. We heard from NAMT members and outside experts on planned giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, board fundraising, corporate sponsorship and more. Keynote speaker Penelope Burk shared her expertise on Donor-Centered Fundraising in a Turbulent Economy, and brand new data from her extensive research on donor behavior. Attendees had opportunities to brainstorm and collaborate among the NAMT membership, plus ample time to network and socialize at meals and a cocktail party. In addition, conference weekend add-ons helped attendees discover all San Francisco has to offer with their fellow NAMT members.

Fall 2010
Outrageous Fortune: The Musical!

Using Theatre Development Fund's study of "the life and times of the new American play" as an inspiration, attendees and panelists explored the state of new musicals and looked for solutions and best practices to secure the future of the development of new musicals, the work of NAMT’s members, and the livelihoods of our Festival Alumni writers. Panelists included NAMT members and Festival alumni writers, plus experts in new work development from the National New Play Network, Abrams Artists, New Dramatists, and keynote speaker Victoria Bailey from TDF.

NAMT Members: See video highlights of this conference here. (Login required.)

Spring 2010
A Class Act: Developing Your Theatre's Audience Through Education and Community Outreach

Attendees and panelists discussed different types of education and outreach programs and models; ways to integrate the education department with other areas of the theatre; opportunities for greater funding; brainstormed about new ways to engage subscribers in the artistic process and create new audiences of children and their parents.

NAMT Members: See a video of one of the panels, "Lunch Money: Funding Your Education Program" here. (Login required.)

Fall 2009
It's a Hard-Knock Life: New Works in Tough Times

Attendees and panelists discussed the challenges of taking chances on and finding funding for new musicals during an economic downturn, and how we can pool resources and plan for the future to insure long-term health and continued innovation at our theatres. Keynote speaker Ben Cameron (The Doris Duke Foundation) spoke on "New Imperatives for New Times" (above), inspiring attendees to fight for the future of the arts through innovation and drive. Panels covered topics such as co-productions, commercial enhancement, partnerships between professional theatres and academic institutions, and using the resources available in your community. Festival alumni writers joined us for selected panels, and members received a sneak peek at the 21st Annual Festival of New Musicals, which immediately followed the conference.

Spring 2009
Marketing in a New Age: How Technology Can Build Your Audience and Save You Money

Theatres were provided with tools on how to utilize new technologies such as Facebook, Google analytics, Twitter and various plug-ins for websites, in order to serve their audiences and track their success. Eugene Carr, founder of Patron Technologies, gave a keynote address on Trends, Technology and Opportunities: The Digital Revolution.  Other speakers included Variety reporter Gordon Cox, Damian Bazadona of Situation Marketing, and web designer Lloyd Chrein.  Sessions covered how adopting new technologies could create or eliminate human workload, imbuing high-tech solutions with the personal touch, and using forums, blogs and social networking to interact with your audience.

*The NAMT website was redesigned in December, 2008. Some links and formatting in earlier archival pages may not appear as intended. We apologize for any inconvenience.*

Fall 2008
New Works GPS: Navigating the Road Toward the Future of Musical Theatre

Keynote speaker Jeanine Tesori discussed her work with producers, while developing shows of wildly varying styles and sizes, from Violet to Caroline or Change to Shrek.  Other sessions covered the challenges of marketing and fundraising for new or lesser-known works, branding a theatre company, building a relationship with audiences, and weathering the tough economic times. Festival Alumni writers joined us free of charge for selected panels on collaboration. 

Spring 2008
Strengthening Your Organization's Philanthropic Muscle

Fall 2007
Opening Doors: The Changing Landscape of Musical Theatre

Spring 2007
You're The Ones That We Want: The Future of Musical Theatre Marketing

Fall 2006
Be A Part Of It: New Work, New Work

Spring 2006
Nuts and Bolts in Tinseltown

Fall 2005
New Paths to New Musicals

Spring 2005
Sharing the Stage