Registration for the 2009 Global IMTAL conference is now open! Join us in beautiful Monterey, CA August 23-27 along the shore of the Pacific ocean as IMTAL members from around the world convene to share, discuss and grow the field of museum theatre. An extensive and truly inspiring program of sessions and events is planned with time allowed to visit our host institution, the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Read all about the conference, browse the preliminary program and register online on
the Conference Page.
The conference theme, "Museum Theatre: On the Edge" can be interpreted on many levels: the 2009 meeting takes place on the western edge of the North American continent (or, conversely, on the eastern edge of the Pacific Plate); as forward-thinking professionals, we hope to be continually on the cutting edge of the field; in finding creative solutions to problems, we may occasionally have to edge around established institutional protocols; or, since museum theatre is such an effective interpretive tool, we simply may want to revel in the edge we maintain over traditional, static exhibitions and programming!
This year's keynote address is by Luis Valdez, Founder and Artistic Director of El Teatro Campesino, a theater of farm workers in California that inspired young Mexican-American activists across the country to use the stage to givevoice to history, myths and present-day concerns.
Read Luis' bio HERE.
Luis will address the attendees on Monday and the Tuesday field trip includes a visit to his historic theatre.
And while the current state of the economy might make you worry about travel, here's what long-time IMTAL member Larry Gard of the Carpenter Science Theatre Company at the Science Museum of Virginia has to say:
Dear Fellow IMTAL Members,
As all of us are aware, the exciting field of Museum Theatre is an incredibly effective component in the education arsenal of museums world-wide. There is no doubt, those of us "museum theatre folks" who are so dedicated to the application of the craft, and who feel so passionately about its proven success, will benefit from opportunities to congregate and share our experiences: our successes, our failures, our inspirations, our techniques, our budgets and administrative challenges. It is important for us to take advantage of every opportunity possible to learn and grow through the power of artistic and institutional fellowship. Considering all of this, I urge you to attend the sixth international museum theatre conference in Monterey, California!
