I look forward to meeting you at LMDA events over the next year, hearing your ideas and opinions, and welcoming you to San Diego, June 26-29, 2008, for our next Annual Conference.
Brian Quirt
LMDA President
bquirt@rogers.com
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-- The 2007 Conference in Toronto included a stellar lineup of international speakers including Suzan-Lori Parks, Bonnie Metzgar, Ruth Little (Young Vic, London), Jonathan Meth (Writernet, UK) and Mexico City playwright Silvia Peláez. More than 180 participants gained an intimate look at the work of theatre artists from across Canada, the US and beyond, and a focus on theatrical process and creation.
See the Conference 2007 page for details of the events and sessions.
-- Awards:
Congratulations to Elliott Hayes Award winner Edward Sobel for his excellent work at Steppenwolf Theatre last year.
-- Introducing Me:
I am the Artistic Director of Nightswimming, a dramaturgical company in Toronto that commissions and develops new works of theatre, dance and music, but does not produce them. We have a roster of about a dozen shows at various stages of development,
including one on tour this season. I have also been Chair of LMDA Canada for the past nine years and have had the pleasure of being on the LMDA Executive and Board for many of those years. Visit www.nightswimmingtheatre.com for more information on my company's work.
-- LMDA Goals:
At the Annual General Meeting during the 2007 conference I spoke about some of our key goals for LMDA. These include further expanding the membership (and opening our doors to colleagues in other disciplines), enriching our conversation about the making of theatre, an emphasis on international exchange, a commitment to diversity of form, culture and content, and renewed regional activity across North America. LMDA's Three Year Plan will continue to increase LMDA's profile, accomplishments and services to its membership, and I believe that we are off to a strong start in all of these areas.
LMDA thrives on the contribution of its members. I urge you to volunteer on
a committee, drive an new initiative, create a new activity. If you want to
be a part of LMDA, here is the current Executive. Please contact them or me and
tell us what you would like to do.
-- 2007/08 Executive Committee:
D.J. Hopkins (San Diego) - VP Publications
Amy Jensen (New York) - VP Regional Activity
Madeleine Oldham (San Francisco) - VP International
Shelley Orr (San Diego) - VP Communications
Vanessa Porteous (Calgary) - VP International
Jovanni Sy (Toronto) - VP LMDA Canada
Daniella Topol (New York) - Treasurer
Brian Quirt (Toronto) - President
Liz Engelman (Minneapolis) - Past President
Danielle Carroll (New York) - Administrative Director
Thank you for being part of LMDA...
Brian Quirt
President, LMDA
bquirt@rogers.com
Artistic Director
Nightswimming, Toronto
http://www.nightswimmingtheatre