Artists • Educators • Scholars • Students • Theatre Lovers

Let's keep the discussion going. Let's talk about the 25th Anniversary Conference in Winston-Salem.
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What's the first thought that comes to mind when you think of the conference?

I wish that I stayed more than two days. I can't wait to go next year.

Fortunately we will have a four day conference next year in Atlanta, July 27-30, 2012.

I really enjoyed the focus and attention that each member brought to this year's conference. It was exciting to see so many people interested in outlining goals and ideas for the coming future of the organization, and not only voicing their opinions on these goals, but also thinking aloud in practical steps to achieve them. That really impressed me, and helped me to start thinking similarly.

To my BTN family,

I am still overwhelmed and full from my first BTN Conference. I wasn't very sure what to expect once I agreed to accompany my sister, Kemati Porter from eta, to the conference. Her assurances of what I would experience far exceeded my expectations. It was simply wonderful to be in the space with "my people" in the theatre. I openly thank everyone that took the time to welcome me, exchange dialogue and most of all I am blessed with new friendship, especially my fellow costume designers in "the struggle".

I have expressed to our new President "Mrs. Kemesha" that I am so full from this wonderful experience and I don't want to lose the momentum, she must put me to work with the Judy Dearing Scholarship as well as the 2012 BTN Planning Committee.

Thanks to everyone affiliated with BTN. We should be proud. Thank you Kemati for bringing a sisterfriend.

Andrea Brown
New BTN Member
Asst. Prof. of Costume Technology
Louisiana State University

My correction for our Presidents' name "Artisia" not Kamesha.
Sorry for the error.

Abeo

I was not able to attend the conference so I had been so curious about what transpired in Winston-Salem.

I have asked a few members about what went on at the conference. Mikell told me it was all about emotions. Emotions, he reminded me, are better expressed orally as in the African Tradition. I guess, it is hard to write down the emotions of "being together" or of sharing a "common love of family--our own way."

Anyway, I have noticed a transformation in those I know who met in Carolina; they came back relaxed. I wonder, Can we bottle that and sprinkle it around us when the tough gets tougher?. .

Hi Abeo,

Sorry for the delay in responding to this message. Andre Harrington is the current Judy Dearing coordinator. I think he is still in out of the country. I will send him a message and get the two of you connected. At this moment the call needs tweaking and disseminating but, I am sure that a conversation between the two of you would prove fruitful.

I am glad your first conference was a wonderful experience!

One of the things I enjoyed was the organization of the conference. We were determined to stick to our schedule, start and end. We succeeded and that means we need to carry that over to the big conference where it is even more challenging.

Another thing is the Brookstown Inn and it's staff. It was such a good place for our mini conference...the folks who run the place were great and the rooms well kept.

Third, I have to give credit to the Big Post It note pads. I think they helped a great deal to clarify to people that they were being heard and it gives us an easy reference point.

HI, Kelitta. I just decided to join this tonight. I've looked the site page over and it looks very exciting an interesting. I see that you, Darryl, KB and Shenea were there. There may have been some others too that I think I recognized but I'm not sure.

I just got a cancellation for another trip and was thinking about switching over to this. It's in a couple of weeks so I don't know if I can pull it thru. Are you going and/or do you or someone else would like to share a room? I'm not picky as long as they don't smoke in the room. If you or you know of anyone that would like to share a room let me know. Do you know if they have a flight special with this too?

Diana

Welcome! When I went to last years conference I enjoyed being around so many wonderfully talented people.