2009 Conference Information

The 47th National Conference on Outdoor Drama is set for October 11 - 14, 2009 in Cherokee, NC.   The conference will be co-hosted by the Cherokee Historical Association and the Montford Park Players in Asheville, NC.

Sponsored by the Institute of Outdoor Drama, a public service agency of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this annual meeting brings together professionals for in-depth discussions on all facets of outdoor drama production.  Managers, playwrights, directors, designers, composers, promoters, and representatives from communities planning new outdoor theatre companies gather at this national conference for discussions on topics related to the writing, production and management of outdoor drama in America.

There will be many panel sessions, tours, performances and interactive discussions on all facets of outdoor drama production.

While in Cherokee, NC we will tour the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, the Oconaluftee Indian Village, and the newly renovated Mountainside Theatre, home of "Unto These Hills".  Our day in Asheville will include a tour of the famous Biltmore House Estate and a tour of the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre which is home to the Montford Park Players.

The conference will begin at 3:00pm on Sunday October 11, 2009 with the traditional Roll Call session where company reps summarize the past season of outdoor drama. There will also be a session starting at 3:00pm designed specifically for representatives of communities planning new outdoor theatre companies.  The conference will conclude on Wednesday, October 14.

For participants flying to the conference, the closest airport is Asheville Regional Airport in Asheville, NC.  it is served by AirTran, Delta, Continental and US Airways.  Asheville is about 45 miles from Cherokee.   A limited shuttle service for conference participants is in the planning stages; but for those who wish to rent a car, the airport is served by Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise and National/Alamo.

Conference registration will be $275 per person which will include two lunches, three dinners, all conference sessions, tour of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, tour of the Oconaluftee Indian Village, admission to the Biltmore House and bus transporation to/from Asheville.

The conference hotel will be the Holiday Inn Cherokee located at Hwy 19 South, Cherokee, NC.  For reservations call 828-497-9181 and give them the code IODA to receive the conference special price.

The conference brochure will be mailed out mid-summer.