A Setting Where History Meets the Horizon; Join Us This October in Chillicothe
At a time when everyone is thinking of Spring break and summer vacations, I would like you to consider the cool days of Fall. There is a specific kind of magic that settles over Southern Ohio when the calendar turns to October. The humid haze of the Scioto River valley lifts, replaced by a crisp, biting clarity. It is against this backdrop that we invite you to the 2026 National Convention on Outdoor Theatre, hosted by the Scioto Society producers of the historic outdoor drama, “Tecumseh!” in the historic heart of the Buckeye State: Chillicothe, Ohio.
Choosing a location for an outdoor theatre convention is about more than just finding a hall with enough chairs; it’s about finding a place that inspires and engages artists and producers. As Ohio’s first capital, it sits at the intersection of ancient civilization and pioneer ambition. Chillicothe is hub for history and nature including the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, the historic Aden Mansion, and over 200 miles of scenic trails.
An Active Convention
This year’s programming is designed to get you out of your seat and into the field. This convention is more than convention hall meeting rooms. Every day is a different experience visiting local venues such as Sugarloaf Mountain, home of “Tecumseh!”, and the historic Majestic Theatre in downtown Chillicothe. At "Tecumseh!" we will meet with the production team of the world-famous outdoor drama to discuss the intersection of cultural storytelling, tourism, and large-scale outdoor event management including their seasonal offering, ‘Haunted Mountain’.
We will have the opportunity to discover charming downtown Chillicothe shops near the Majestic Theatre where we will tour the venue and discuss community partnerships featuring Melody Young, Visit Chillicothe’s Executive Director, and Brandon Cavender Smith, Producer and CEO of Tecumseh! Additional programming and excursions are in development as well.
The cast of the award winning outdoor drama "Tecumseh!"
Why October?
It is the season of harvest, of reflection, and of preparation for the year ahead—the perfect headspace for professional growth. Gathering at this time of year allows us to share our successes and glean ideas from our colleagues who share in our challenges of producing outdoors and gives us time to implement new strategies or tools as we prepare for the coming season.
Join Us
We hope you will join us in Chillicothe, OH this October 7 – 10, 2026 for the 63rd Annual National Convention on Outdoor Theatre. Additional event information will be shared soon! Come for the professional development, stay for the sunset over the mounds, and leave with a renewed passion for the great outdoors.
We’ll see you in the hills.