The League of Historic American Theatres will be holding its 32nd Annual Conference and Theatre Tour, Thinking Outside the Fox, July 16-19, 2008 in Atlanta, GA. Hosted locally by the Fox Theatre, the League's 2008 conference celebrates the prominent roles that historic theatres play in community development throughout North America.
While Atlanta systematically destroyed many historic theatres during a boom of planned development, one lone theatre – the Fox – became an icon for historic theatre preservation and economic redevelopment, spurring a statewide movement in Georgia. The League's 2008 conference will showcase and celebrate the saving of not only one theatre, but many across Georgia and throughout the U.S. and Canada and their significant roles as catalysts for cultural and economic development in their communities.
Investigating the role historic theatres play in large metropolitan areas and smaller communities in promoting strong downtowns, rich arts development and economic revitalization, the conference will be held at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta. A varied agenda of theatre tours, tools and techniques sessions, peer discussions, a service providers and suppliers expo, also includes presentations by local and regional experts and performances. Awards for Outstanding Historic Theatre and Outstanding Individual Contribution will be announced during the Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, July 19th.
The League's conference and pre-conference Historic Theatre Ramble will include visits to Georgia Theatres of varying sizes, architectural styles, operating structures and programming philosophies. Once viewed as eyesores occupying valuable real estate, many of them sparked downtown redevelopment, attracted artists and other creative people to their communities and are engaging new audiences.
Optional pre-conference professional development sessions include Tax Credits – Financing Historic Theatre Rehabilitation Projects, a day-and-a-half seminar presented by the League with the National Trust Community Investment Corporation on July 15 &16, and The Building is Saved, Now What?—How Product Relates to Audience Development, a half-day marketing workshop on July 16th presented by the League in association with the Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts' National Arts Marketing Project, which was developed through the sponsorship of American Express.
For additional information, including secure on-line registration, visit the League's web site at: www.lhat.org .
