Pre-Meeting Workshops


As part of its continuing effort to provide professional development for administrative leaders of theatre programs, NAST will offer two workshops immediately prior to the 2024 Annual Meeting and Retreat for Administrators. Please review the descriptions and information below regarding fees and registration.

Pre-Meeting Workshop
for New and Aspiring Theatre Administrators in Higher Education

Click for details.
Wednesday, March 27, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Pre-Meeting Workshop
for Seasoned Theatre Administrators in Higher Education

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Wednesday, March 27, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Pre-Meeting Workshop for New and Aspiring Theatre Administrators in Higher Education

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Registration is required for this workshop.
A separate fee of $150 is required, which covers refreshments and a box lunch.
The workshop fee must be paid at the time of registration.

This workshop has been designed to address several of the most important areas of concern for new and aspiring administrators. Each segment will involve a basic briefing on a designated topic, followed by ample opportunity for interaction and discussion. The content will focus on principles and approaches applicable to all types of institutions.

9:00 a.m.–9:10 a.m.

Introductions and Orientation

9:10 a.m.–9:15 a.m.

Welcome from the President of NAST

9:15 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

Administration as Performance

Like an actor preparing to perform on stage, the savvy arts administrator knows that in theatre, as in life, the best performances are based on depth and application of knowledge, adequate preparation, a cohesive vision, a positive attitude, and the ability to learn and grow from mistakes. This session will focus on the role of the theatre executive as an administrator, present ways to develop and enhance interpersonal and group communication, and discuss personnel challenges and strategies to address them. Attendees will consider the potential effects of well-considered, planned, and orchestrated advocacy initiatives.

10:15 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

Working with Faculty

While an administrator’s role involves guiding curricular development, budgeting and financial management, and operating within institutional policies, many administrators find that their already busy days can be filled with a variety of issues related to faculty—poor performance, power struggles, and resistance to moving the department forward to adapt to changing needs and expectations. This session will explore some of these issues and consider approaches and strategies for handling the many and disparate personnel-related challenges faced by theatre administrators. Attendees will discuss practical tips for creating effective and welcoming environments and promoting healthy and productive relationships among faculty. Broad conversation regarding the issues should result in an abundance of ideas, which may assist administrators to address their own specific institutional challenges. Time for open discussion will be provided.

11:15 a.m.–12:00 noon

Financial Management

Theatre programs are expensive to build, manage, sustain, and maintain. Financial management involves attention to a multitude of issues ranging from facilities management, to resource allocation, to setting faculty compensation, to establishing and maintaining scholarships, and many others. Each issue presents its own pressure that must be considered in the budgeting process. This session will highlight common issues encountered by theatre administrators, propose helpful suggestions for dealing with such issues, and offer guidance with regard to resources which may provide useful information and helpful insight. Specific topics to be discussed include budgeting for “the knowns” and affording the unexpected, prioritizing and managing technological costs, long-range financial planning, fiscal accountability, and approaches to ensure fiscal stability.

12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.

Box Lunch and Open Discussion for New and Seasoned Administrators

1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.

Goals, Planning, and Time Management

This session will address the value of and procedures for establishing realistic goals and objectives as the basis for effective long-range planning and time management. Starting with the premise that one person or theatre unit cannot do everything, goal setting is an effective way to establish both personal and community priorities. When successful, this effort focuses planning. Time management is an increasingly important concern for all administrators and faculty. Successful administrators learn multiple skills associated with responding to requests of all types efficiently and effectively without spending more time than is absolutely necessary. Examples of successful ways to think about time and plan for its effective use will be presented.

2:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m.

Working with Deans and Other Administrators

One of the many facets of administration is the necessity to work with other administrators in various contexts and in related and nonrelated disciplines. The assistance of peer administrators can be invaluable in assisting a theatre administrator to address the aspirations of the theatre unit. This session will address several critical principles and issues associated with developing rapport with fellow administrators. Questions will be considered such as: How can the theatre administrator establish rapport with fellow administrators? What actions and activities can enhance established rapport? What role can or should other administrators play in supporting the theatre unit’s initiatives?

3:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m.

Open Forum with Seasoned Administrators

Participants in the Pre-Meeting Workshop for New and Aspiring Theatre Administrators in Higher Education will be joined by several seasoned administrators, offering the opportunity for informal discussion pertaining to topics explored during the workshop as well as those of interest and concern to attendees. It is recommended that administrators, both new and seasoned, continue conversations beyond this session, during, and as may be feasible, after the Annual Meeting.

3:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Concluding Remarks and Adjournment

Participants are invited to attend the Reception for Pre-Meeting Attendees to be held from 5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m.

5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m.

RECEPTION FOR PRE-MEETING WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
(Cash bar)

All pre-meeting workshop attendees, presenters, and facilitators are invited to this informal reception, which will provide an opportunity for individuals to meet, greet, advance conversations, establish mentor/mentee connections, and cultivate valuable professional relationships with other theatre administrators. Attendees are welcome and encouraged to continue the conversations begun during the day’s sessions.

Pre-Meeting Workshop for Seasoned Theatre Administrators in Higher Education

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Registration is required for this workshop.
A separate fee of $75 is required, which covers refreshments and a box lunch.
The workshop fee must be paid at the time of registration.

9:00 a.m.–12 noon

Facilitated Discussion

The responsibilities of the theatre administrator are diverse and multifaceted. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities. Over time, the roles and responsibilities of an administrator often expand, change, and evolve. This pre-meeting workshop, especially designed for seasoned administrators, will facilitate discussions related to various issues affecting the work of theatre administrators. Topics will be established by the workshop leaders and will include, but not be limited to: working with faculty, students, and other administrators within and across disciplines; communicating with upper administrators; establishing, maintaining, and nurturing welcoming and inclusive cultures; issues of promotion and tenure; financial management of the theatre unit; marketing the theatre unit to prospective students and the public; strategies for dealing with difficult situations; and succession planning. Topics of interest to attendees will be considered as well. Attendees from all types of institutions and from all levels of administration are welcome.

Participants are invited to attend the Reception for Pre-Meeting Workshop Attendees to be held from 5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m.

12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.

Box Lunch and Open Discussion for New and Seasoned Administrators

5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m.

RECEPTION FOR PRE-MEETING WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
(Cash bar)

All pre-meeting workshop attendees, presenters, and facilitators are invited to this informal reception, which will provide an opportunity for individuals to meet, greet, advance conversations, establish mentor/mentee connections, and cultivate valuable professional relationships with other theatre administrators. Attendees are welcome and encouraged to continue the conversations begun during the day’s sessions.