How The Conference Works

The 16th Annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference
is scheduled for June 14-21, 2008.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT

Either thinking about or planning on attending the Last Frontier Theatre Conference? This is your user’s guide, where we cover:
• How to get to Valdez
• Where to sleep, eat, shower, etc.
• What to wear
• How Play Lab readings work, and how to get involved as a reader.

HOW TO GET TO VALDEZ
If you’re coming from out of state, your first step is to get to Anchorage, which has the only major airport in Alaska. We recommend Alaska Airlines, but a number of different airlines fly to Anchorage.

From Anchorage, you need to get to Valdez. It’s a 35 minute flight on Era Aviation (www.flyera.com). The college runs shuttles to meet all incoming planes starting the Wednesday before the Conference. These will take you to wherever you are staying in town.

For a map to give you perspective on Alaska and Valdez, go to http://www.valdezalaska.org/maps/maps.html.

The lovely drive from Anchorage to Valdez is 306 miles, and takes approximately six hours. If you’re interested in splitting the costs on rental car, post a message at Ride Sharing and Other Requests.

There are two other less commonly used options. First, some people take the ferry in. For prices and times, go to http://www.akferry.com. Second, some people drive all the way to Valdez on the Alcan highway. For all sorts of useful information on this trip, check out http://www.travelalaska.com.

ONCE I’M THERE, WHERE DO I STAY?
Valdez is full of hotels for all price ranges, many of whom offer discounts to Conference participants. For full listings, visit www.valdezalaska.org.

We also let our participants stay for free inside our college campus. These are minimal, communal arrangements: sleeping bags and air mattresses in shared class rooms. Shower facilities are provided, however, and there is a coffee shop with inexpensive breakfast options. People are welcome to sleep there from the Wednesday proceeding the Conference through the closing Sunday night.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO WEAR
Weather in Valdez is highly variable, usually between 55 and 85 degrees, so the key is layers. Be prepared to be bundled up, but able to get down to shorts and a t-shirt on short notice. Also, bring a raincoat, or at least an umbrella.

Although the week is very casual, the culminating gala is a champagne reception followed by a sit down dinner. Cocktail dress is appropriate (though not required).

WHERE DOES THE CONFERENCE TAKE PLACE?
Almost all events for the Conference happen at the Valdez Civic Center. Again, check out the map at http://www.valdezalaska.org/maps/valdezStreetMap.html. to get some perspective. The college is marker 2, the Civic Center is marker 8.

For more details about the Civic Center, visit their site at http://www.ci.valdez.ak.us/civic_center/index.html.

DOES IT EVER GET DARK THERE IN JUNE?
Yes. At about 4:00 AM. If this is going to create sleeping problems, best bring some sleep mask.

MY PLAY IS BEING READ... WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
We cast the readings using a combination of Alaska actors and actors coming from outside the state. The actors have the scripts mailed to them approximately a month before the Conference so that they can be familiar with them when they arrive.

Rehearsals take place at the Conference. All Play Lab plays have a scheduled rehearsal with the cast and writer. The playwright serves as the director. These are sit down readings, so mostly this just comes down to placing the actors and answering questions they have about the text.

The rehearsals take place wherever you can find room. In the past, the most popular place has been the picnic tables in the back yard at the Civic Center. There are also halls and people’s hotel rooms… it’s catch-as-catch-can.

After your reading there is a response section from three theatre professionals and educators, and a period for audience feedback. The Conference endeavors to follow the development format created at the Circle Repertory Theatre Company, with feedback that neither coddles nor re-writes, but instead opens the writer up to new ways of understanding their play.

After the reading and critique session, there will be a private one-on-one discussion for the playwright with one of their panelists.

I WANT TO BE A READER... WHAT DO I DO?
Send a photo and resume to the Conference Coordinator,

WHAT ARE THE OTHER EVENTS LIKE
• Master Classes generally run an hour-and-a-half, and are usually part lecture, part question and answer session.
• Panel Discussions are wide-ranging and varied. Almost invariably there are questions-and-answer periods.
• Evening shows cover a huge gamut of theatrical forms, ranging from one-person shows to large ensembles, full-length plays and collections of one-acts. They are followed by post-show receptions.