January 23, 2006 – On January 21, the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting (MOFTB) and The Living Room for Artists/ Summer Play Festival (SPF) presented a panel which addressed careers in theatrical management. Moderated by Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, panelists David Auster, Associate General Manager of 101 Productions, Steve Winton, CEO of Clear Channel Theatrical and Harold Wolpert, Managing Director of the Roundabout Theatre Company, provided expertise on how to break into theatre management, and the various roles and responsibilities in the field.

The panelists described various industry positions – from marketing, advertising and publicity to finance, general management, fundraising, ticket services, casting and production – and suggested that individuals intern or take entry level positions to break into the field -- and use the opportunity to prove themselves to management.

“Don’t wait until the job is posted to get in the door,” Wolpert advised. “Build relationships, and call people.” Once in an internship or job, “the key is being good at what you do,” he said.

“Virtually anyone I know who has hiring power is going to hire people they’ve worked with before,” Auster said.

And when placements aren’t available within a company, Winton encouraged individuals to rely on their internship supervisors for introductions within the field and leads on job opportunities.

They stressed the need to build relationships within the small, overlapping theatre community – and to be willing to put in the hours necessary to work in the office by day and spend nights in the theatre.

Held at Theatre Row, the panel was the first in a series of four addressing careers in acting, theatre management and theatrical production and support. The program is intended to educate New Yorkers about the diverse job roles in the industry, and connect them with resources, organizations and opportunities in the field.

“New York City’s theatre community strengthens the social, cultural and historic fabric of our City as well as our local economy, drawing tourists and aspiring stars from around the world,” said Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. “Through this panel series, the City is supporting jobs in theatre by helping New Yorkers gain the knowledge, skills and connections they need to find employment and move up within the industry, strengthening our City’s creative community which makes New York the entertainment capital of the world.”

"I am delighted that the Mayor's Office has partnered with us to support and encourage young people to seek out careers in the theatre -- one of the city's most vital and economically important industries," said Arielle Tepper, Founder and Executive Producer of The Living Room for Artists / Summer Play Festival. "By bringing together some of the biggest players from Broadway and off-Broadway who can share their extraordinary experience, the panel series will not only demystify the process of producing theatre, but give useful, candid information that will support a new wave of artists and creative entrepreneurs."

Additional panels will be announced over the course of 2006, addressing jobs in acting and theatrical production and support. Information will be available on www.nyc.gov/film.