National Convention on Outdoor Theatre
Keynote Speaker
Adam Burke is the Artistic Director at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte - recipient of the Harold Oaks Award for Sustained Excellence in TYA and Drama League Award nominee. At Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Adam led the development of over 30 new works including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever the Musical; The Invisible Boy; The Magic Kite; Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba; and The Night Diary. During Adam’s tenure in Charlotte, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte has developed several major community projects including The Kindness Project. This major new works initiative currently includes five adaptations of award-winning children’s books that demonstrate and encourage kindness. The latest piece was a new musical adaptation of Crystal Hubbard’s book, Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream. Prior to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Adam was the artistic director of the Scioto Society, which produces the outdoor drama Tecumseh. Before that, Adam was the artistic director of the Chicago Theatre for Young Audiences, an artistic associate at Childsplay Theatre in Tempe, Arizona as a recipient of the Theatre Communication Group’s New Generations fellowship, and an assistant professor of theatre at St. Mary’s University. Adam holds degrees from the University of Arizona and Northwestern University. During his tenure in Chicago, Adam worked at the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare and Northlight Theatres and as the resident director at Open Eye Productions. Adam participated in the International Directing Symposium, hosted by LaMama Theatre, in Umbria, Italy; the National Advanced Stage Combat Workshop, hosted by the Society of American Fight Directors, ASSITEJ’s (International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People) One Theatre World, and the ASSITEJ International Directing Symposium in Stuttgart, Germany. Adam is a recipient of the ASSITEJ/USA Ann Shaw Fellowship and of the Chicago Drama League International Research Grant. Selected directing credits include: Miracle on 34th Street, RENT, The Reluctant Dragon, Into the Woods, Shrek the Musical, A Flea in her Ear, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Charlotte's Web, Matilda the Musical, School of Rock, and Ella's Big Chance: a Jazz Age Cinderella
Registration
National Convention on Outdoor Theatre
Register NowRooted in Place, Reaching Forward
📍Chillicothe, Ohio
📅 October 7–10, 2026
🎭 Theme: Rooted in Place, Reaching Forward
Hosted by Tecumseh!🌟
The National Convention on Outdoor Theatre brings together outdoor theatre professionals, artists, administrators, technicians, and community partners for meaningful conversation, professional development, networking, and shared celebration of the outdoor theatre field.
This year’s convention will be held in Chillicothe, Ohio, home of Tecumseh!, with the theme Rooted in Place, Reaching Forward.
Proudly Sponsored by
SETC and the National Convention on Outdoor Theatre would like to thank the following sponsors:
Ludus
SETC
Tecumseh!
Visit Chillicothe
XS Lighting & Sound
Hotel information
Christopher Inn & Suites
Hotel information
Location: 30 N Plaza Blvd.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Group Code: NTC26
(740) 774-6835 (for information only—not for discounted reservations)
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Quality Inn
Hotel information
Location: 20 N Plaza Blvd.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
(740) 672-2914 (for information only—not for discounted reservations)
Find on Google Maps Book a roomFairfield Inn & Suites
Hotel information
Location: 300 N Plaza Blvd.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Group Code: ASBF4D4D83
(740) 771-9090 (for information only—not for discounted reservations)
Find on Google MapsHampton Inn & Suites
Hotel information
Location: 100 N Plaza Blvd.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Group Code: NTC
(740) 773-1616 (for information only—not for discounted reservations)
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By Air
Travel information: TBA — Distance from hotel: miles
By Car
Travel information: TBA for rental car information.
Itinerary
Rooted in Place, Reaching Forward
October 7–10, 2026 | Chillicothe, Ohio
Wednesday, October 7
Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Registration | Riverview Room Lobby Christopher Inn & Suites |
12:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Hopewell Culture National Historical Park Visit | Hopewell Culture National Historical Park |
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Coffee, Tea, and Water | Christopher Inn & Suites |
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM | Welcome & Kick-Off Session Outdoor Theatre Committee Chair & Host | Riverview Room Christopher Inn & Suites |
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM | SESSION I: KEYNOTE Presenter: Adam Burke, former director at Tecumseh! and current Artistic Director at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte | Riverview Room Christopher Inn & Suites |
5:30 PM – 6:15 PM | Ludus Demo and Q&A | Christopher Inn & Suites |
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Welcome Dinner Dinner provided | Riverview Room Christopher Inn & Suites |
7:15 PM – 8:30 PM | Roll Call: Introductions and Company Updates | Riverview Room Christopher Inn & Suites |
Thursday, October 8
Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Excursion: Adena Mansion | Adena Mansion |
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Tour of the Majestic Theatre | Majestic Theatre |
12:00 PM – 1:45 PM | Lunch on Your Own | Downtown Chillicothe |
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM | SESSION II: Community Partnerships / CVB Presenters: Melody Young and Brandon Cavender Smith This session explores how arts organizations can build strong, sustainable partnerships that extend their impact far beyond the theatre. Participants will examine strategies for working effectively with state and local governments, tourism organizations, community leaders, other nonprofit organizations, businesses, and volunteers to create shared goals and mutually beneficial relationships. The session will address how to identify potential partners, communicate the value of your organization to the broader community, develop successful collaborations and turn one-time projects into lasting partnerships. Special attention will be given to engaging volunteers as community ambassadors and building relationships with organizations that may have different missions but share a commitment to strengthening their communities. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for developing partnerships that expand resources, increase visibility, and create a stronger foundation for the future. | Majestic Theatre |
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM | SESSION III: XS Lighting Presenter: Rick McConnell | Majestic Theatre |
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Dinner Dinner provided | Tecumseh! / Sugarloaf Mountain |
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Haunted Mountain | Tecumseh! / Sugarloaf Mountain |
Friday, October 9
Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Tour of Tecumseh! Facilities and Grounds | Tecumseh! / Sugarloaf Mountain |
11:00 AM | Travel to Christopher Inn & Suites | |
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | SESSION IV: Approaching Cultural Appropriateness on Stage Presenters: This session explores how theatre artists and organizations can respectfully and authentically present a wide variety of cultures, communities, histories, and traditions on stage. Participants will examine the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation, learn practical approaches for researching and representing cultures with care, and considering how casting, costumes, language, music, movement, storytelling, and historical context can affect cultural authenticity. The session will also address when and how to seek guidance, including identifying cultural consultants, historians, community leaders, artists, scholars, and members of the culture being represented. Most importantly, participants will leave with practical tools for asking the right questions, building meaningful relationships, and creating theatre that welcomes diverse perspectives while treating every culture represented on stage with dignity and respect. | Riverview Room Christopher Inn & Suites |
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM | Lunch: Food Truck | Riverview Room Christopher Inn & Suites |
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | SESSION V: Democracy and the Arts: Finding New Ways of Exploring Old Ideas through Partnership and Community Engagement Panelists: Joni Doherty, Ariel Fristoe, and Kane Stratton This session explores the vital role the arts can play in strengthening civic life, fostering dialogue, and bringing communities together around shared questions and experiences. This session will examine how artists and arts organizations can use partnerships with local governments, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community groups to create meaningful opportunities for people to engage with enduring ideas in fresh and relevant ways. Through examples of collaborative programming and community-centered practices, participants will explore how the arts can encourage conversation, bridge differences, amplify diverse voices, and help communities reimagine what democracy can look like in action. | Riverview Room Christopher Inn & Suites |
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM | Break | |
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | SESSION VI: Marketing in the Modern Digital-Shy World Presenters: Lori Graves, Jeff Rehl, and Bryan McMahon This session explores how theatre organizations can reach audiences in a world where traditional digital marketing alone may no longer be enough. Participants will explore a balanced mix of digital strategies—including social media, email, online advertising, video, and content marketing—alongside traditional approaches such as print advertising, direct mail, radio, public relations, and community media. The session will also focus on the power of grassroots marketing: partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, schools, tourism agencies, ambassadors, word-of-mouth, and creative street-level promotion. Attendees will learn how to identify where their audiences pay attention, build campaigns that work across multiple channels, and create marketing that feels personal, authentic, and connected to the community. | Riverview Room Christopher Inn & Suites |
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Awards Reception | Christopher Conference Center |
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Awards Dinner & Presentations Scott J. Parker Award & Mark R. Sumner Award | Christopher Conference Center |
Saturday, October 10
Time | Event | Location |
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Closing Session / 2027 Discussion | Riverview Room Christopher Inn & Suites |
Session Details
Session V: Democracy and the Arts
Finding New Ways of Exploring Old Ideas through Partnership and Community Engagement
This session explores the vital role the arts can play in strengthening civic life, fostering dialogue, and bringing communities together around shared questions and experiences. It will examine how artists and arts organizations can use partnerships with local governments, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community groups to create meaningful opportunities for people to engage with enduring ideas in fresh and relevant ways. Through examples of collaborative programming and community-centered practices, participants will explore how the arts can encourage conversation, bridge differences, amplify diverse voices, and help communities reimagine what democracy can look like in action.
Joni Doherty: Senior Program Officer for Democracy and the Arts at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Her experiences as a studio artist and educator, along with her interest in the intersections of aesthetics and ethics, have created opportunities to work with artists and arts and civic organizations. She earned a BFA in painting from the University of New Hampshire, an MA in cultural studies from Simmons College, and a PhD in philosophy and art theory from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts.
Ariel Fristoe: Founder and Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater and a national leader in community engagement and business model innovation in the arts. She advances community issues through programs that combine theatre with information and conversation. Ariel leads Emory University’s Concentration in Arts Management and serves as an Innovator in Residence at Emory’s Hatchery Center for Innovation. Her work has been published in arts management and theatre journals, and Harvard Business School published a case study on her business model. She has received numerous honors for leadership, entrepreneurship, social impact, and community engagement.
Kane Stratton: Caesar’s Ford Theatre Company.
Session VI: Marketing in the Modern Digital-Shy World
This session explores how theatre organizations can reach audiences in a world where traditional digital marketing alone may no longer be enough. Participants will explore a balanced mix of digital strategies, including social media, email, online advertising, video, and content marketing, alongside traditional approaches such as print advertising, direct mail, radio, public relations, and community media. The session will also focus on grassroots marketing through partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, schools, tourism agencies, ambassadors, word-of-mouth, and creative street-level promotion. Attendees will learn how to identify where their audiences actually pay attention, build campaigns across multiple channels, and create marketing that feels personal, authentic, and connected to the community.
Lori Graves: Southern Ohio radio personality, stand-up comedian, writer, event producer, emcee, and community advocate. She hosts The Morning Hustle with Lori G on C103.7 and Q100.1 and writes the Matters of Graves Importance column for the Chillicothe Gazette. Through Lori G Presents LLC, she produces live entertainment, comedy shows, special events, and group experiences. Her community work includes local boards and committees, Special Olympics coaching, charitable initiatives, and projects supporting organizations and families throughout southern Ohio.
Jeff Rehl: Sales Director for 99.7 The Blitz in Columbus.
Bryan McMahon: Sales Associate for Ohio Magazine.
NCOT Carousel
Institute of Outdoor Theatre
Visit the Institute of Outdoor Theatre page to learn more:
Institute of Outdoor TheatreSponsors
SETC and the National Convention on Outdoor Theatre would like to thank the following sponsors:
Sponsors of National Convention on Outdoor Theatre
Summer Outdoor Theatre Auditions
The Summer Outdoor Theatre Auditions (SOTA) are for those actors who wish to perform or work in tech positions for Summer Outdoor Theaters. You must be available for summer contracted work.
To learn more about the Summer Outdoor Theatre Auditions (SOTA), click the button below.
Summer Outdoor Theatre Auditions (SOTA)