Nederlander Launches Cultural Trade & Industry Exchange With China’s Minstry of Culture 9/19-9/24

As the leaders of the world convened at The United Nations, Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment hosts another international event in New York. A new training program has been established between Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment and China's Ministry of Culture under the title of "Cultural Trade & Industry Exchange Program"; the first session was launched September 19th - 24th, 2010. This delegation comes from China's central and local cultural bureaus representing ten Chinese Provinces/Municipalities including Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guangxi, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shenzhen, Sichuan, Hunan and Chongqing. This series of bilateral culture educational programs is designed to introduce China's theatre professionals, policy makers and educational experts to the business process of the Broadway industry. The six day, intensive series of seminars and theatre tours featured a delegation from Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, and a team of Broadway industry experts. Among the topics covered at the New York launch as well as the up-coming programs:

THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF BROADWAY as a world-class brand, and the future of its world-class touring productions.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MUSICAL THEATRE to the lifeblood and vitality of its city.

USA, GREAT BRITAIN AND CHINA'S MUSICAL THEATRE INDUSTRY, the commonality of their operational principles.

REGIONAL THEATRE AND BROADWAY ROAD TOURING

THE MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION PROCESS: How does it differ between The West and The East?

SELECTING A MUSICAL TO PRODUCE. What is commercially and artistically viable?

THEATRE TICKETS. Managing, auditing, comptrolling and marketing.

THEATER MARKETING. How to reach your audience.

PRODUCING A WORLD CLASS

From budgeting and fundraising to creative team supervision and casting. "We are thrilled to host the first session of the Cultural Trade and Industry Exchange Program with the Chinese Ministry of Culture" says Robert Nederlander Jr. of Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment. "This is part of our ongoing effort in strengthening and deepening the understanding between Broadway and Chinese cultural industries, which dates back to my family's involvement in Ping Pong Diplomacy during the early 1970s.". For more information about upcoming Cultural Trade and Industry Exchange Program events, call (212) 822-4200 or visit www.nederlanderworld.com.

ABOUT NEDERLANDER WORLDWIDE ENTERTAINMENT:
ROBERT NEDERLANDER, JR. is a third generation member of the Nederlander family, one of the great dynasties of the American theatre. Mr. Nederlander is the founder and President of Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, which produces tours of Broadway shows to international markets including Asia and South America, undertakes theater management and operations, as well as training and educational initiatives. The Nederlander family's interest in China began over 38 years ago when Robert Nederlander, Sr., as a Regent of the University of Michigan, hosted the Chinese ping-pong team during their historic visit to the United States. Shortly thereafter, in 1975, Mr. Nederlander, Sr. led one of the first U.S. delegations of scholars and academics to China. Nederlander Worldwide has toured four productions throughout China beginning in 2007, Nederlander Worldwide with the Tony-Award-winning 42nd Street. At the time this was the most expensive Chinese tour of a Broadway show reaching nine Chinese cities. In September of the following year, Nederlander Worldwide spearheaded a ten city tour of Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA. Due to the success of the tour AIDA is expected to return to China as well as other Asian markets in 2011. Fame: The Musical toured China in 2009 /10 performing in 8 Chinese cities. LUMA, a spectacle and illusion show toured four cities in China during the summer of 2009. Nederlander Worldwide has established the ‘China on Broadway' initiative to bring the best of Chinese culture to Broadway audiences in New York City and across North America. In January 2009, Nederlander Worldwide presented Soul of Shaolin, the first Chinese production to appear on Broadway, at the Marquis Theater. In celebration of the opening of Soul of Shaolin, both the Mayor of New York City and the Governor of New York State proclaimed January 15, 2009 as ‘China On Broadway Day'. In February 2008, Prior to Soul of Shaolin, in February of 2008, Nederlander Worldwide presented The Dream of the Red Chamber, a "cultural exchange gift" from the city of Shanghai to the city of New York, at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall. Efforts are currently underway to present the next production from China, Zhou Xuan, on Broadway in early 2012. Nederlander Worldwide fosters educational initiatives as part if its participation in China's cultural industry. In December 2008, Nederlander Worldwide partnered with the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing to produce and present a Mandarin language version of Fame: The Musical. Mr. Nederlander as well as Nederlander Worldwide staff members have given numerous lectures and seminars at academies and universities. Nederlander Worldwide has entered into a strategic partnership with Peking University. Joint activities with Peking University have included the presentation of productions such as LUMA in 2009 and internships for students on the Beijing engagement of Fame: The Musical in 2010. Nederlander Worldwide is initiating Broadway training programs in the United States and China.