Showcase 2009

After being MIA for the better part of last week, I thought I'd share a little bit of Showcase 2009 with you.

"Showcase" is our pet name for the International Showcase of Performing Arts for Youth, an annual conference held for artists, agents, presenters, producers and other professionals that are involved with the performing arts for young people. The conference travels to different cities each year, but PlayhouseSquare has hosted every other year for the past six years.

When we are the conference host, my responsibilities include managing the design and printing of mailings and the conference program, promoting the fact that we are offering free tickets to the general public and trying to get media coverage.

I also sit it on some of the professional development sessions to hear what's going on in the field and I attend the shows that will or might come back to PlayhouseSquare another time.

"OK, so what's up with the shows?" you might ask. Good question. "Seeing work" is a big part of the conference. Over the summer, a selection committee reviews submissions from hundreds of artists. 14-16 are selected to present full showcase performances during the conference. The artists are hoping to get booked at theaters like PlayhouseSquare. Theaters like PlayhouseSquare are looking for good shows to book.

Artists that are not showcasing can apply for an abbreviated "spotlight" performance and/or have a booth in the conference exhibit hall.

The Man Who Planted Trees is my favorite Showcase show of all time. We've booked it for our 09-10 season and I hope lots of people come to see it. It's hilarious.

Over all, the conference went well. I survived. And now it's time to get back to normal...whatever that is.