The conference in DC was a wonderful event, bringing together dramaturgs from all over North America. Memorable sessions on productions of a new translation of Philoctetes, on what dramaturgs are doing with Digital Dramaturgy, and perspectives from African-American Dramaturgs (among many other terrific sessions) are fresh in the minds of delegates after a packed weekend. Dramaturgs were hosted by Woolly Mammoth Theatre in their stylish and functional new space and the beautiful, landmark Kennedy Center. Conference attendees toured the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and went on a guided tour of the impressive monuments in DC by night. Enjoying the company of dramaturgs and a cold cocktail out on the patio of the 600 Restaurant at the Watergate Hotel at the start of the banquet as the setting sun caused the marble Kennedy Center to glow will be among my favorite LMDA memories for a long time to come.

What a great setting for a gathering such as this. And the most important ingredient in any conference is a terrific group of attendees...and we certainly had that covered.  You know who you are! Thank you for making the effort to join us and making the conference the memorable event that it was.

We are indebted to so many for all they did to make this event a success. Please join me in thanking the following friends of LMDA:

THANKS SO MUCH to the Conference Co-Chairs, Danielle Mages Amato and Gavin Witt
Our Conference Coordinator, Amrita Ramanan Mangus
Our Administrative Director, Danielle Carroll
Our Conference Committee, Akiva Fox, Elissa Goetschius, Erin O’Malley, Janine Sobeck, Sarah Wallace and Miriam Weisfeld.
Our Conference Volunteers, Emily Denison, Angelisa Gillyard, Dannie Snyder, Ronee Penoi, Carlenne Lacosta, Evan Sanderson, Donatella Galella, Travis Ballenger, Stephanie Formas, and Sabrina. Thank you to our conference hosts and sponsors: Arena Stage, The Embassy of Canada, George Washington University, The Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Association for Theatre in Higher Education, Congressman Chet Edwards and Congressional Aide Scott Baker.
And to our Spotlight Sponsor: Abrams Artists Agency

The 2009 LMDA Conference is generously funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Make your plans to join us for LMDA's 25th Anniversary next year at the conference in Banff, Calgary, Canada from June 28-July 1, 2010.

—Shelley Orr
    President, LMDA