stage expo only time - Pan Leung

Welcome to Cincinnati
As we come together in the Queen City, prepared for four days of constant
communication, networking, and new ideas, I hope you take a few moments to
reflect on both where USITT has been and where it is going.
Geographically, we’ve met in cities throughout the United States and Canada
and we look forward to venturing into places both familiar and new.
Organizationally, we have remained strong through both easy and hard times
and as we approach our 50 th year we appreciate the strong foundations, built
by our early leaders, which allows us to explore new directions.
When I spoke at the conclusion of our 2008 Conference in Houston, Texas last March I talked about how
much USITT has meant to me both personally and professionally, about how USITT is like a family. Each
of our Conferences is a gathering of my professional family.
With the start of the 2009 Annual Conference & Stage Expo, I find myself looking forward once again to
being energized by seeing long-time friends, to having a creative spark or two light new pathways, and
to meeting those who will be long-time colleagues in the years ahead.
Each year our Conference changes. Like any good production, we find the best of the past and current
efforts to help transform our future. It is the same with our organizational structure, as we seek to keep
the best of our past and make positive changes.
The 2009 Conference Committee, Stage Expo exhibitors, collaborating organizations, officers, board,
staff, and contractors have worked diligently to provide a broad range of programming and information.
The weight of this Conference Program is just one indication of everything which is in store for you from
now until the Awards Banquet winds down.
Seize the next four days, enjoy everything and anything which helps you recharge and energize your
professional life. At the same time, we hope you will lend your own expertise to others and our
organization so that USITT continues to be the bridge between individuals, organizations, and segments
within our broad community.
I also hope you’ll feel free to talk to any of us who end up with a passel of ribbons hanging off our
badges. We’d be delighted to answer any questions or help you become more involved.
Carl H. Lefko
USITT President
Chair, Department of Theatre, Radford University