March 13, 2020
It is the preeminent desire of NAST to provide to its members and constituents clear, cogent, and accurate information as it becomes available. Given the national issues facing all citizens at this time, it is also the intention of NAST to work within its abilities to ensure the safety of its members and constituents.
After careful and thorough consideration of all issues before the Association, earlier today, the NAST Board of Directors voted to cancel the 2020 Annual Meeting of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, including all professional development sessions, pre-meeting workshops, Board of Directors meetings, and Commission on Accreditation meetings scheduled to take place March 21-28 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor. The NAST Annual Meeting is an opportunity for individuals to connect, communicate, and broaden understandings and awareness of salient issues. Therefore, the need to entertain a decision to cancel this meeting was approached with great depth of care.
Early next week, NAST will offer members and constituents further and more detailed information outlining the effects of this decision and related plans, as an example, as related to the work of the Commission. As well, information regarding the accreditation responsibilities of institutions as they may be affected by national events and subsequent institutional decisions will be provided.
In addition, hotel reservations held by those who planned to attend the meeting and registered within the NAST hotel block will be cancelled en masse by the Hyatt Regency. Refunds will be sent directly to each individual by the hotel. If you did not register within the NAST block, we ask please that you contact the hotel directly to cancel your registration. NAST will refund paid 2020 Annual Meeting registration fees.
As always, the staff of NAST welcomes any inquiries and stands ready to provide assistance to individuals and institutions. Thank you for the kind patience each of you has offered to NAST as it has worked to reach this difficult decision.
Thank you.
Kind regards.