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2012

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Contact: Judy Via August 31, 1990919-962-1328 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENATIONAL CONFERENCE SET FOR "THEATRE UNDER THE STARS"It is often said that the United States has made two original contributionsto the theory and practice of world theatre: the American Musical, and OutdoorHistorical Drama of the kind Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green createdhalf a century ago on Roanoke Island, North Carolina with The Lost Colony.On October 5-7, outdoor drama professionals from across the country willgather on the Federal Indian Reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina to discusstheir remarkable brand of "theatre under the stars" at the 28th Annual Managers,Directors and Promoters Conference sponsored by the Institute of Outdoor Drama.Outdoor drama brings to life actual historical events which took place at ornear the sites where the plays are performed. This strong sense of place, alongwith the larger-than-life portrayals and generous portions of song and dance,often supplemented by spectacular special effects, combine to create a uniqueform of theatrical entertainment, seen last year by more than 2 million people.The annual meeting of these theatre professionals traditionally drawsrepresentatives from more than 70 outdoor historical drama companies located in30 states from Kodiak Island, Alaska to St. Augustine, Florida. Together, theyproduce historical plays, Shakespeare festivals, religious dramas, and pageants

which, in 1989, generated a travel industry impact of $6 billion. Creating morethan 4,500 jobs each year, outdoor historical drama is one of the largestemployers in the American theatre.Highlighting this year~s Conference will be a 3-hour tour of the majesticMountainside Theatre, home of Kermit Hunter�?�s long-running drama, UNTO THESEHILLS. Built in 1949, and extensively renovated in the late 1980s, theMountainside Theatre is an outstanding example of an older facility which hasbeen maintained in excellent condition.The tour will include front-of-the-house and backstage areas, companyhousing {dormitories and cottages), dining facility, canteen theatre, and the newadministration building, which houses historical exhibits of the CherokeeHistorical Association.The 3-day meeting also features panel discussions and workshops interspersedwith tours of local historic attractions, an evening of live theatre, anauthentic Indian feast (featuring smoked trout, bear meat, buffalo and venison),and informal social events throughout the weekend.Delegates may tour the adjacent Oconaluftee Indian Village, a re-createdearly 18th-century community featuring Cherokee in authentic costumedemonstrating an ancient way of life, and The Museum of the Cherokee, portraying300 years of tribal history.The Cherokee Historical Association, producers of Unto These Hills, willserve as local host for the Conference. The Holiday Inn at Cherokee is theConference hotel and will host meetings and meal functions.Registration deadline for the Conference is Tuesday, September 25, 1990.To receive Conference registration brochure, contact: The Institute of OutdoorDrama, University of North Carolina, CB 3240 NCNB Plaza, Chapel Hill,NC 27599-3240; 919-962-1328.