January 26, 2026
61st ANNUAL MEETING AND RETREAT FOR ADMINISTRATORS OF THEATRE PROGRAMS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Crowne Plaza Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
March 25–28, 2026
REMINDER – PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING AND MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Meeting Registration Deadline: February 20
Hotel Reservations Deadline: February 27
We look forward to welcoming members and friends in Cleveland as the National Association of Schools of Theatre conducts its 61st Annual Meeting and Retreat for Administrators. We hope you will join us. Annual Meeting information is available on the Association’s website and can be accessed through the links offered below:
We call particular attention at this time to upcoming deadlines with regard to Annual Meeting registration and hotel reservations:
Registration conducted through electronic or hardcopy means for the Pre-Meeting Workshops and the Annual Meeting and Retreat for Administrators of Theatre Programs in Higher Education will close at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 20. The basic registration fee through that date is $225. Online registration will be open until February 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. After that time, attendees may register for Pre-Meeting Workshops and the Annual Meeting onsite at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. On-site registration will be assessed an additional fee of $25. To expedite on-site processing, please bring with you a completed registration form.
The Crowne Plaza Cleveland is holding preferred reservations for NAST Annual Meeting participants through Friday, February 27. After that date, room assignments will be made on a space-available basis only, and the NAST group rate may not be offered. Prospective attendees are encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible and cancel later if necessary. (Please review hotel policies regarding the time frame for cancellation without penalty.) Once the hotel reaches capacity or the NAST room block is filled, other accommodations will need to be secured. Unfortunately, NAST is not able to assist participants in finding alternate lodging.
Annual Meeting and Retreat sessions will offer to theatre administrators the opportunity to consider and discuss issues significant to the activities of theatre units including those pertaining to faculty and students.
Open dialogue sessions will welcome representatives from Community and Two-Year Colleges, Faith-Based Institutions, Historically Black Institutions, and Non-Degree-Granting and Professional Studio Schools. These sessions provide to attendees opportunities to listen and to share thoughts and ideas with colleagues.
Training sessions will be offered for individuals preparing for accreditation reviews, new and current visiting evaluators, and administrators designing new undergraduate curricular programs. Informational sessions will be offered which focus on accreditation processes and procedures; annual reporting requirements; and federal issues. Attendees will also gather to enjoy fellowship and renew connections during scheduled meals and social functions.
Annual Meeting and Retreat for Administrators of Theatre Programs in Higher Education events will begin on Wednesday, March 25 at 4:15 p.m. with the Orientation for Newcomers to NAST. Prospective attendees should note that the Workshop: Preparing for NAST Evaluation will be held on Thursday, March 26 from 8:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
In addition to the Annual Meeting and Retreat for Administrators of Theatre Programs in Higher Education, NAST will offer its Pre-Meeting Workshop for New and Aspiring Theatre Administrators on Wednesday, March 25 from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and its Pre-Meeting Workshop for Experienced Theatre Administrators on Wednesday, March 25 from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. New and aspiring administrators with three or fewer years of experience are welcome and may find the designated pre-meeting workshop helpful and insightful. Experienced administrators will be provided the opportunity to explore current issues of concern and interest with other theatre executives.
All 2026 Annual Meeting materials will be made available only through NAST’s Annual Meeting electronic app. Hardcopy Annual Meeting materials will not be provided on-site. Individuals desiring hardcopy versions of Annual Meeting materials may download and print copies directly from the app or from the NAST website before arriving on-site.
Should questions arise, the National Office staff will be pleased to assist.
We look forward to welcoming and working with you in March.
Thank you.