Institute of Outdoor Theatre

The Institute of Outdoor Drama (IOD) was founded in 1963 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by Samuel Selden to support and promote the unique tradition of historical outdoor theatre in the United States. Created to serve a growing number of productions that dramatized regional and national history in outdoor settings, the IOD provided professional services including consultation, research, training, and advocacy. It became a central hub for connecting artists, scholars, and communities involved in historical dramas such as The Lost Colony and Tecumseh!.  

In 2005, the Institute moved to East Carolina University (ECU), where it continued its mission as the Institute of Outdoor Theatre. ECU remains home to the IOT archives. Many of these items are accessible through ECU’s digital library. 

In 2016, the Institute of Outdoor Theatre found its new home with SETC where it continues to provide professional services and networking opportunities through programs such as the Summer Outdoor Theatre Auditions (SOTAs), the National Conference on Outdoor Theatre (NCOT), hosts monthly virtual calls, and presents the Mark R Sumner and Scott J Parker Awards. This programming is led by the Outdoor Theatre Committee. 

The Institute of Outdoor Drama and SETC have a long history of promoting engagement and growth within the field of outdoor theatre, fostering connections between artists, scholars, and producing organizations. The two organizations have supported educational initiatives, workshops, and conferences that encourage collaboration and professional development. Their joint efforts have helped preserve the rich tradition of outdoor theatre while inspiring new generations of theatre-makers to explore storytelling rooted in history, place, and community. Through this partnership, they continue to strengthen the cultural and economic impact of outdoor theatrical productions across the United States and beyond. 

Mark R. Sumner, IOD Director 1964–1989